ReMaSe Seminarians Instituted as Lectors and Acolytes

The St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao marked a significant milestone in the formation journey of its seminarians through the Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Institution to the Sacred Ministries of Lectorate and Acolytate.

The liturgy was presided over by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, with the presence of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Abel C. Apigo, D.D., Bishop of Mati, together with formators, priests, families, and faithful from various dioceses of Mindanao. The celebration was held last Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City.

During the rite, thirty-six (36) seminarians were instituted into the Ministry of Lectorate—thirty-five (35) from Configuration Year II and one (1) from Configuration Year III. Meanwhile, twenty-four (24) seminarians from Configuration Year III were instituted into the Ministry of Acolytate.

These sacred ministries, restored by Saint Pope Paul VI through the Apostolic Letter Ministeria Quaedam (1972), form an essential part of priestly formation. They are entrusted to candidates preparing for Holy Orders as concrete expressions of service to the Word of God and the Eucharistic mystery. As articulated in Canon 1035 of the Code of Canon Law, no one may be admitted to the diaconate without first having received and exercised these ministries for a suitable period of time.

In his homily, Archbishop Valles offered a rich reflection on the nature of ecclesial ministry, describing it as “keeping the memory of the Church.” He emphasized that the Church remembers not by recalling the past, but by entering into the saving mystery of Jesus Christ as it continues in salvation history.

In keeping the memory of Christ, the newly instituted lectors and acolytes are called to become living witnesses of the Gospel that bridges between the Church’s tradition and the people of today, and humble servants who allow Christ Himself to speak and act through them.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, the newly instituted lectors and acolytes gathered by diocese and shared a moment of fraternity and thanksgiving with fellow seminarians, seminary staff and priests.

The Rite of Institution affirms the sacramental and ecclesial character of priestly formation. As the seminarians continue their preparation for Holy Orders, the Church in Mindanao entrusts them to God’s grace in the faithful exercise of the ministries they have received. (Sem. Pio Angelo R. Bañez)