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Holy Orders - Questions

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Metanoia02

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Defens0rFidei said:
Do the minor orders still exist or were they discountinued at some point?

The Minor Orders

Acolytes
Exorcists
Readers
Doorkeepers
These are no longer ordained ministeries. With the resestablishment of the diaconate following Vatican II, they were reduced to "ministries" that laypersons could particiapate.

In my opinion this was a mistake. These orders were pathways for men to discern their priestly vocation. The resulting decline in priestly vocations parallels this change.
 
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Metanoia02

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Defens0rFidei said:
Met-

Do "SubDeacons" still exist and what is their role...thanks!
Subdeacons no longer exist as they once did. Their role has been folded into the diaconate as well. Their role was to serve and assist the deacon at Mass. These duties have fallen to "alter servers".
 
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ShannonMcCatholic

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Although, when my brother went to Rome to begin seminary there- he was made(?? dunno the right terminology) an Acolyte- and he alluded to it being the first step towards Holy Orders.....

Don't know what that means, though! How can part of a Sacrament be done away with? Or were minor orders not sacramental?

In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Shannon
 
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Metanoia02

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ShannonMcMorland said:
Although, when my brother went to Rome to begin seminary there- he was made(?? dunno the right terminology) an Acolyte- and he alluded to it being the first step towards Holy Orders.....

Don't know what that means, though! How can part of a Sacrament be done away with? Or were minor orders not sacramental?

In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Shannon
Minor orders were not sacramental.
 
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Michelina

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There's a lot of material in the CCC (1532-1600) but 1547 covers a question that is frequently asked:

1547 The ministerial or hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful participate, "each in its own proper way, in the one priesthood of Christ." While being "ordered one to another," they differ essentially. In what sense? While the common priesthood of the faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace - a life of faith, hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit -, the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians. the ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders.
 
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pax

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The minor orders of Acolyte and Lector still exist and must be received by those aspiring to the priesthood or diaconite. I've never really seen a large stress placed on having an instituted lector at Mass, but I thought lay people who aren't lectors are only deputed when no instituted lectors are available (similar to EME's), but I'm guessing since there are so few, lay readers can satisfactorily fulfill this role on a regular basis (where as EME's are only "technically" supposed to be used in extraordinary circumstances).
 
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darby8

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That is interesting. What exactly is an Acolyte? The others seem intuitive. When I was much younger, I thought an Acolyte (which I didn't know how to spell) was someone who lit the candles (as in light)!

Speaking of exorcisms, I recently researched (confirmed) a documented exorcism that happened in Earling, Iowa back in 1928. Father Weiling told us this story when we were in 4th grade. I scared me to death and I never ever entertained the thought that Satan or Hell didn't exist again. And, no, I never did see the Exorcist.

You know, I go off on tangents too much. I'll start another thread...
 
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ShannonMcCatholic

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The minor orders of Acolyte and Lector still exist and must be received by those aspiring to the priesthood or diaconite. I've never really seen a large stress placed on having an instituted lector at Mass, but I thought lay people who aren't lectors are only deputed when no instituted lectors are available (similar to EME's), but I'm guessing since there are so few, lay readers can satisfactorily fulfill this role on a regular basis (where as EME's are only "technically" supposed to be used in extraordinary circumstances).

Pax, I was wondering where you got your info from?? That was my impression, but seemed contrary to what the others were saying. Is there a place where I can go look this up??

In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Shannon
 
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Michelina

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ShannonMcMorland said:
Pax, I was wondering where you got your info from?? That was my impression, but seemed contrary to what the others were saying. Is there a place where I can go look this up??

Lector and Acolyte are no longer called "orders". The Four Minor Orders qua Orders no longer exist. Subdiaconate, once called a Major Order no longer exists. The only Orders are Diaconate, Presbyterate and Episcopate. (They are no longer called Major because there a no Minors.)
 
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pax

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Michelina said:
Lector and Acolyte are no longer called "orders". The Four Minor Orders qua Orders no longer exist. Subdiaconate, once called a Major Order no longer exists. The only Orders are Diaconate, Presbyterate and Episcopate. (They are no longer called Major because there a no Minors.)
ooops, my mistake. I didn't realize they weren't still considered "minor" orders, but I'm pretty sure the "ministries" of Acolyte and Lector are still conferred by the bishop. I'll see if I can find some relevant sources.

From the CCC
903 Lay people who possess the required qualities can be admitted permanently to the ministries of lector and acolyte. 436 When the necessity of the Church warrants it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely, to exercise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescriptions of law." 437
I'm not sure where I read this, but I'm pretty sure instituted acolytes are always prefferred to EME's in distributing Holy Communion (of course ordained ministers are always ideal).
 
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