Institution to the ministry of acolyte marks a significant milestone on a seminarian’s path to the priesthood.
Briefly:
- Seventeen seminarians from The Saint Paul Seminary will be instituted as acolytes on Oct. 27, 2025.
- This year’s list of acolyte institutions includes six seminarians from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; four from the Diocese of Boise, two from the Dioceses of Sioux Falls and Helena; one each from the Dioceses of New Ulm, La Crosse and Saint Cloud; and one in his home diocese of Fargo at a later date.
- Acolytes assist at the altar during Mass and care for the Eucharist outside of the liturgy.
On Monday, October 27, The Saint Paul Seminary celebrated the institution of 17 seminarians into the ministry of acolyte during a special Mass in St. Mary’s Chapel celebrated by Bishop Gerard Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse. Another seminarian will be instituted in his home diocese of Fargo at a later date.
Institution as an acolyte marks an important step in a seminarian’s journey toward priesthood. The role allows these men to assist at the altar during Mass and care for the Eucharist, preparing them for deeper service in the Church.
The following men from various dioceses have been or will be instituted as acolytes this year:
- Elias Budke, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- John Dyson, Diocese of Boise
- Joshua French, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Joshua Gerads, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Matthew Giorgio, Diocese of Sioux Falls
- Leonardo (Memo) Gutiérrez, Diocese of Boise
- Brady Martinez, Diocese of Sioux Falls
- Colin Miller, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Jacob O’Meara, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- Anthony Olmes, Diocese of Helena
- Ronald Onyekwelu, Diocese of Boise
- David Rabaey, Diocese of New Ulm
- Alex Radtke, Diocese of La Crosse
- Nathan Ribb, Diocese of Boise
- Jacob Robbins, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
- James Semling, Diocese of Helena
- Jack Tyrrell, Diocese of Saint Cloud
- Matthew Follis, Diocese of Fargo