Background
In 1972, Pope Saint Paul VI, through the Motu Proprio Ministeria Quaedam amends Canon Law to establish the discipline for the formally instituted ministries of Lector and Acolyte. In January 2021 Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio Spiritus Domini regarding access of women to the ministries of Lector and Acolyte, further amends Canon 230.1 to highlight the role of all the baptized in the edification of the Church and the proclamation of the Gospel. In the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service in collaboration with the Department of Pastoral Ministries will accompany potential candidates and their pastors before, during, and after the permanent institution of lay lectors and acolytes.
Discernment Process for Admission
- Pastors and Administrators will discern and identify lay men and women suitable for these instituted ministries as an affirmation of their current service to the community. Similarly, a lay woman or man can approach their pastor to express interest in this permanent ministry. The community can also call forth members a nd invite them to discern this call.
- After suitable discernment, the lay minister extends letter of interest in the instituted ministry to pastor.
- Pastors will fill out the Pastor’s Recommendation Form and submit it to the Institute along with lay minister’s letter of interest. These will serve as a recognition of the vocational discernment of both the pastor and the candidate.
- Candidate will ahve an interview with a designated Archdiocesan staff member to continue the discernment of this call.
Formation Process
Candidates for the permanent ministries of lay lector and acolyte may come from different backgrounds. All will come with years of ministerial experience serving in liturgical settings, but some may have formal education for ministry while others will not. For this reason, we propose two paths to formation for candidates from a variety of ministerial and formation backgrounds:
Option 1 – This option will be for those lay men and women with pastoral experience and formal education in ministry (minimum of a BA in Theology, Religious Studies, or Pastoral Ministry or archdiocesan commission as a Lay Ecclesial Minister).
- Provide proof of completion of studies as mentioned above.
- Complete the Archdiocesan Lector or Acolyte Practicum (acolyte candidates must complete both). These Practicums are offered for free to candidates.
Option 2 – For lay men and women with pastoral experience but no formal ministry formation:
- Complete six courses (semester courses along-side deacon candidates and lay ecclesial ministry candidates) at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC): 1) Introduction to Theology and Biblical Studies; 2) Introduction to Liturgy; 3) Catholic Biblical Interpretation: Old Testament; 4) Catholic Biblical Interpretation: New Testament; 5) Sacramental Theology; 6) Cross-Cultural Competencies for Pastoral Ministry. The MACC tuition for 1 course is $2,481 (as of August 2026). Thanks to the Archbishop’s Appeal, candidates will only pay less than 15% of the cost of each course ($372 per course).
- Complete the Archdiocesan Lector or Acolyte Practicum (acolyte candidates must complete both). These Practicums are offered for free to candidates.
This process will be offered in English and in Spanish.
For more information or to submit a recommendation contact the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service:
LIZETT FARIAS
Director for the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service
210-731-3140
Email Lizett
