ROME — First Year students at the Pontifical North American College, including Jacob Mlakar, received the Ministry of Lector Jan. 15.
Mlakar, a seminarian from St. Matthew Church recently earned a Bachelor of Philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, indicating successful completion of the pre-theology program.
Lector is the first of those ministries given to seminarians in their journey to priestly ordination and allows them to proclaim the readings at Holy Mass.
Bishop Paul Tighe of the Pontifical Council for Culture was the main celebrant of the Mass. Cardinal James Harvey and members of the faculty con-celebrated. During the rite, Bishop Tighe presented each candidate with the Lectionary and instructed them “Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.”
— Photo provided by the Pontifical North American College,