In his 1972 Motu Proprio entitled Ministeria Quaedum, Pope Paul VI reformed the so-called "minor orders" in the Church, the steps which would precede ordination to the diaconate and priesthood, In doing so, he recalls that certain ministries were established by the Church for the service of the People of God and as an assistance to to offering due worship to Almighty God. In this reform, the Holy Father restored these ministries to the faithful, uncoupling them from the preparation of men for the sacred priesthood. Pope Paul suppressed the office of subdeacon and other minor orders, though the ministry and service once reserved to subdeacons continues in the Church and is exercised by readers, cantors, servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and by instituted acolytes.

In other words, the order of subdeacon, as such, no longer exists in the Latin Church - there are no "subdeacons". The functions of the subdiaconate, however, have been preserved and have passed into the institution of lector and acolyte - there remains a subdiaconal role or ministry.

In the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, our parishes and parochial communities have been well served by the ministry and dedication of men who exercise the subdiaconal ministry, even vesting in the tunicle or liturgical vestment of the subdeacon. Indeed, this ministry is a part of our liturgical patrimony as well as a way to engage men more deeply in the life of their parish community. the rubrical directory of Divine Worship: The Missal, harmonizing this experience with the canonical reforms of Ministeria Quaedum, specifies that the function of subdeacon may be taken by another cleric or by an instituted acolyte. These parameters are important because it preserves a ministry in the Church intimately connected to the proclamation of the Word and the service of the altar, while at the same time safeguarding it, ensuring that it not be misunderstood as being simply a different way of serving the Mass.

Those men who are instituted as acolytes serve the Body of Christ that is the Church by aiding the deacon and priest in the celebration of the sacred liturgy and in bringing the sacrament to the faithful, particularly to those who for reasons of illness or age are separated from the Sunday assembly. As lay ministers, instituted acolytes demonstrate more clearly the mutuality by which "the universal priesthood of believers and the ministerial or hierarchic priesthood, though they differ from one another in essence and not only in degree, are nevertheless interrelated: each of these in its own special way is a sharing in the one priesthood of Christ" (Cf. Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium, n. 10). In this way, the acolyte responds to and exercises a true vocation in the Ordinariate. He is a minister chosen from among the lay faithful who, remaining part of the lay faithful, instructs them by word and example in the right conduct of the sacred liturgy, in devotion to the most Blessed Sacrament, and in the attitude of faith which allows sacraments to be fruitful.

All of this presupposes that the acolyte nourish his faith and relationship with Christ the Lord, particularly through frequent reception of the Eucharist and confession, and through regular prayer. This present Manual is meant to aid in the preparation of acolytes, not only by describing his duties but also by providing a basis for deepening knowledge and understanding of this vocation. May this ministry continue to thrive, strengthening our Ordinariate and contributing to the holiness of those who bear this responsibility.

Most Rev, Steven J. Lopes

September 8, 2016, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary