ALFRED — Thirteen men preparing for the permanent diaconate were instituted as acolytes by Bishop Robert P. Deeley during a special Mass celebrated at the Notre Dame Spiritual Center in Alfred on June 19.

The Ministry of Acolyte is an important step in the formation of those preparing for Holy Orders, and until the Second Vatican Council, acolytes were considered part of the clergy. An acolyte’s service includes the duties of a sacristan, an altar server, and an extraordinary minister of holy Communion, as well as some of the duties of a deacon when a deacon is not present at Mass.

During the rite, the bishop asked God to bless the men chosen for the ministry, praying, “Grant that they may be faithful in the service of your altar and in giving to others the Bread of Life; may they grow always in faith and love, and so build up your Church.”

Each of the men was then called forward to receive from the bishop a paten, containing bread to be consecrated. This reflects the acolyte’s responsibilities in preparing the altar, distributing holy Communion, and caring for and purifying the sacred vessels.

“It’s another wonderful step on the journey to the diaconate,” said Lawrence Guertin, a candidate from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Windham. “It gives us another way to serve our parishes, our parish communities, and the diocese as a whole.”

“This is a milestone for me, entering further into the Body of Christ in the form of the Eucharist and in the form of the Body as the Church,” said Mark Tuttle, a candidate from Holy Spirit Parish in Wells. “We’re doing both of those in this one event.”

“It means a lot,” said José Osmin Perez, a candidate from Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish in Portland. “It means the opportunity to be serving in a better way, especially on the altar. Being instituted in this ministry, I will have a chance to be working really closely with the priest.”

“I cannot express myself, but God knows what is in my heart,” said Michael Benjamin Augustino, a candidate from Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portland. “I thank God and I thank the people because without the people I would not be able to pursue what God sees in me.”

The men will continue their formation for the next two years. It is anticipated they will be ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2017.

A permanent deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church who is not ordained to the priesthood but to service. Deacons proclaim the Gospel and preach; baptize, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services; and identify the needs of others and assist in organizing resources to meet those needs. They also minister in different settings, from the traditional parish to prisons, hospitals, convalescent homes, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and many others.

“As you draw closer to ordination to the diaconate, the Church asks you to connect your service at the altar to your ministry of service to God’s people, which is such a central part of the vocation of the deacon,” said Bishop Deeley. “Because you are specially called to this ministry, you should strive to live more fully by the Lord’s sacrifice and to be molded more perfectly in its likeness. Show a sincere love for Christ’s Mystical body, God’s holy people, and especially for the weak and the sick.”

The 13 men instituted as acolytes in Alfred on June 19 were: Michael Benjamin Augustino, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Portland; Thomas Blatz, All Saints Parish, Brunswick; Michael Boggs, Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town; Frank Daggett, St. Joseph Parish, Bridgton; Rodney Deshaine, St. Peter Chanel Parish, Van Buren; Carl Gallagher, Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou; Lawrence Guertin, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Windham; Richard Huot, Good Shepherd Parish, Saco; Rodney Kuhl, Holy Savior Parish, Rumford; Maurice Paré, St. Agnes Parish, Pittsfield; José Osmin Perez, Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish, Portland; Luis Sanclemente, St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent; and Mark Tuttle, Holy Spirit Parish, Wells.