Thirteen different dioceses and religious orders throughout the Upper Midwest and beyond are celebrating the installation as lectors of a combined 21 men in formation at The Saint Paul Seminary this year.
In seminary formation, lectors proclaim Scripture readings, recite the Psalms, lead general intercessions in the absence of a deacon and guide the singing and active participation of the faithful during the liturgy. Installation as a lector serves as a stepping stone toward the role of acolyte, transitional deacon, and ultimately, priest.
Becoming a lector doesn’t necessarily indicate a commitment to the priesthood, but it is a significant milestone on the path toward ordination.
New Ulm bishop installs 17 seminarians as lectors
Feb. 12 in St. Mary’s Chapel, Bishop Chad Zielinski of the Diocese of New Ulm installed the following 17 seminarians as lectors:
- Tobias Ellis, St. Cloud
- Br. Didacus Gottsacker, Franciscan Brothers of Peace
- Guillermo Gutiérrez, Boise
- Josiah Hanson, Rapid City
- Matthew Harris, Sioux Falls
- Scott Kahler, St. Cloud
- Caleb Kosch, Omaha
- Gregory Meyer, Hartford
- Andrew Mullaney, Sioux Falls
- Dominic Nguyen, Des Moines
- Mark Nosbush, St. Cloud
- Br. José Ignacio Rodriguez, Pro Ecclesia Sancta
- Blane Schriock, Rapid City
- Br. Evan Steeves, Pro Ecclesia Sancta
- Brent Sundve, New Ulm
- Ian Willnerd, Boise
- Lawrence Wirries, Crookston
Three Winona-Rochester seminarians to be installed March 16
Bishop Robert Barron will celebrate the installation of these three seminarians Saturday, March 16 in their home diocese of Winona-Rochester:
- Alexander Peters
- Gabriel Rysavy
- John Michael Vrchota
Zach, from Diocese of Fargo, to become lector in August
Paul Zach, a seminarian from the Diocese of Fargo, will be installed there in August 2024. Details will be announced later.