Seminarians (from left) Christopher Brock, Peter Rusciolelli and Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu are pictured with Bishop Peter Jugis after Mass July 17 at St. Patrick Cathedral, where they were instituted as acolytes. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis conferred the ministry of acolyte on three seminarians – Christopher Brock, Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu and Peter Rusciolelli – during Mass July 17 at St. Patrick Cathedral.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis told them, “As men discerning the vocation to the priesthood, your institution to the ministry of acolyte is essential to the discernment of that vocation. By serving at the Eucharistic sacrifice as an officially instituted minister of the Church, you are participating in the Lord’s own sacrifice.”
He explained that they are being formed and prepared for that day of their priestly ordination, “when, on your knees and holding the paten containing the bread and the chalice containing the wine mixed with water for the celebration of the Mass, you are told: ‘Understand what you do, imitate what you celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.’”
Bishop Jugis noted that they now have a special role in the Church’s ministry. “It is your responsibility to assist priests and deacons in carrying out their ministry and, as extraordinary ministers, to give Holy Communion to the faithful at the liturgy and to the sick,” he said.
“Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in His likeness. You should seek to understand the deep spiritual meaning of what you do so that you may offer yourselves to God as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him through Jesus Christ,” Bishop Jugis said.
“In performing your ministry, bear in mind that as you share the one Bread with your brothers and sisters, so you form one Body with them and show a sincere love for Christ’s Mystical Body, God’s holy people, and especially for the weak and the sick,” he emphasized.
Bishop Jugis concluded his homily by telling the men, “Be obedient to the commandment which the Lord gave to His Apostles at the Last Supper: ‘Love one another as I also have loved you.’”
Brock, Nnebe-Agumadu and Rusciolelli have two more years of theological studies and spiritual formation remaining at The Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, before being considered for ordination to the priesthood.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
