Wise and maternal, the Catholic Church establishes different states and degrees in the service of sacred worship. In this hierarchy of functions, the clergy – Bishops, priests, and deacons – who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, occupy a prominent place.

However, some baptized and confirmed lay people who are deemed worthy may be instituted in the ministries of lector and acolyte. Minister, in Latin, designates a servant, helper, or representative; and ministerium, an office or service.

In the Latin Rite Church, this institution is made through a liturgical act presided over by the Bishop or, in clerical institutes, by the legitimate superior. In this way, without entering the clerical state, they can perform auxiliary functions of a liturgical-religious nature.

Thus, the lector is responsible for proclaiming the Word of God in liturgical celebrations.

Among other functions, he may read from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel; in the absence of the psalmist, recite the Psalm; and, when there is no deacon, formulate the intentions of the prayer of the faithful.

It is also his responsibility to lead the singing, instruct the faithful to receive the Sacraments properly and, when appropriate, prepare those who, on a temporary basis, are to read Sacred Scripture during liturgical acts.

The acolyte, in turn, is instituted to serve the priest and assist the deacon at the altar. He is permitted to distribute Communion as an extraordinary minister and, in special circumstances, to expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament.

He is also responsible for instructing altar servers and other faithful who make up the liturgical retinue.

It is worth noting that every candidate to the diaconate must be previously instituted as lector and acolyte.