February 8, 2023

Diocesan seminarian John Williams installed as lector at Feb. 1 Mass

REGIONAL
By Rebecca Drake

Pictured (left to right) are Fathers John McDonagh, Brian McGrath and Jonathan Reardon; Bishop William Byrne; John Williams, and Father David Darcy. (iObserve photo/courtesy of John Williams)

SPRINGFIELD – John Williams, a seminarian for the Springfield Diocese, was installed as a lector along with several other seminarians during a Feb. 1 Mass at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass.

The men were formally installed by Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne.

“The installation of lector was a beautiful Mass. It is a formal ritual in the life of a seminarian on his journey to priesthood,” said Father Jonathan Reardon, director of recruitment for the Springfield Diocese’s Office of Vocations. “Bishop Byrne spoke well of the need to invest oneself in the Word through a daily holy hour in order to speak of holiness to the people of God. John Williams is one step closer to ordination and we are blessed to have this well-spoken man in our corner. We pray that God continues to bless his discernment.” 

“Many of us have been lectors in our parishes before, but the formal installation challenges us to a deeper encounter with and witness to God’s Word,” Williams said. “I appreciate the support of the people of Springfield in this next step to the priesthood. Let’s keep praying for more vocations to our diocese.”

Also present at the Mass were Springfield diocesan priests, Fathers John McDonagh, Brian McGrath, and David Darcy, director of seminarians for the Office of Vocations.

The installation of acolyte is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today, Feb. 8, and can be viewed via livestream on the seminary’s website at https://www.psjs.edu/chapel-livestream.

According to the website: “The installation Mass plays an important role in the formation of these men in their journey towards becoming priests. As an acolyte, each man’s primary role will be assisting the deacon and priest during Mass. They may also serve as Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass, bring Holy Eucharist to the sick, and participate in other tasks while aiding the priest and deacon during liturgical celebrations.”

Established in 1964, Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary was the first seminary in North America for men entering the priesthood later in their lives. Candidates come from more than 140 dioceses and 23 religious communities around the world.