On Sunday 12th December, the Third Sunday of Advent, seminarian Matthew Bajada, who is in his sixth year of formation, was conferred with the ministry of Acolyte by our bishop H.L. Mgr Anthony Teuma. The conferral of this ministry took place during the 10.00am Holy Mass celebrated in the Collegiate Basilica of Għarb, which is dedicated to the Visitation of Our Lady. Matthew Bajada, the new acolyte, hails from this same parish. Various priests, including the formators of the Seminary, concelebrated. The celebration was also attended by relatives of the seminarian and people from the above-mentioned parish. Following the reading of the Gospel, the candidate was presented to the bishop. After the homily the bishop prayed upon the candidate and presented the chalice and paten to him, inviting him to live his life in a closer relationship with God and the Holy Eucharist.
Through the ministry of Acolyte, the seminarian lives a more profound discipleship of love to the Lord and service to the others. Apart from this the seminarian is able to assist the priest and deacon during liturgical celebration, distribute the Holy Eucharist to the faithful in church and to the sick at their homes, and expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration.
