Posted September 15, 2020

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Fitzgerald was the main celebrant for Mass Saturday, Sept. 12 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in which he conferred the ministry of acolyte on 24 men, including 14 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The ministry empowers the men to distribute holy Communion in liturgies. The Mass was postponed from last May due to COVID-19 restrictions. The men included seminarians in priestly formation and men preparing to be ordained permanent deacons. In addition to the Philadelphia Archdiocese, those receiving the ministry represented six other dioceses plus the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). See the complete list of acolytes here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • St. Martin’s Chapel at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary hosts the liturgy for the conferral of acolyte in September 2020. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • Seminarians and men studying to be permanent deacons process into the chapel.

  • Faculty members and formation advisers of St. Charles Seminary enter the chapel.

  • Bishop Michael Fitzgerald leads a prayer of blessing during the liturgy.

  • A candidate for the permanent diaconate prepares to receive the ministry of acolyte while his family watches.

  • A seminarian prepares to receive the ministry of acolyte.

  • Bishop Fitzgerald prays a blessing and hands a seminarian a paten, the vessel that holds the Eucharist before distribution at liturgies.