Seminarian Dylan Stefanich, left, received the ministry of lector Jan. 12 in Rome, Italy. He is pictured with Father Tyler Underhill. Submitted photo courtesy of Father Tyler Underhill.
On Jan. 12, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Diocese of Evansville Seminarian Dylan Stefanich received the ministry of lector in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy.
Stefanich was one of 34 seminarians to be installed as lectors. The ministry of lector is conferred upon those who prepare and proclaim readings from Scripture at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. A lector may also recite psalms between the readings and present the intentions for the general intercessions.
The 34 seminarians are in their first year of theological formation for the priesthood. They will have three additional years of theological, spiritual and pastoral formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses.
Father Underhill, parochial vicar of St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, was present for the Mass. Father Underhill shared: “It was a beautiful Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph J. Kennedy, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. In his homily, he talked about the importance of always sharing the Word of God in all things, especially in its proclamation in the Liturgical act.”