What is an acolyte?

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

What exactly is an acolyte?

I know the Catechism says:
903 Lay people who posses the requird qualities can be admitted to the ministries of lector and acolyte. When the necessity of the church warrents it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely to exersise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescipttions of law.

but what does this really mean.
1) it appers to me that an acolyte can Preside over liturgical prayers, confer Baptism, and distribute Holy Communion. Are these things part of their "regular" duties? is there anything else they do?

2) Is an acolyte not an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, but a regular minister of Holy Communion in cases of necessity?

3) If an acolyte is not a ordainment, and they are either Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or Ministers of Holy Communion, then why don't I see them?

I have seen lots of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, but I have never seen an acolyte, when it appears that an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is who is used when need arises and there is no acolyte.

I just generaly confused, please help.

[Cam42]

[quote name='PadrePioOfPietrelcino' date='Sep 30 2005, 10:26 PM'] What exactly is an acolyte?

I know the Catechism says:
903 Lay people who posses the requird qualities can be admitted to the ministries of lector and acolyte. When the necessity of the church warrents it and when ministers are lacking, lay persons, even if they are not lectors or acolytes, can also supply for certain of their offices, namely to exersise the ministry of the word, to preside over liturgical prayers, to confer Baptism, and to distribute Holy Communion in accord with the prescipttions of law.

but what does this really mean.
1) it appers to me that an acolyte can Preside over liturgical prayers, confer Baptism, and distribute Holy Communion. Are these things part of their "regular" duties? is there anything else they do?

2) Is an acolyte not an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, but a regular minister of Holy Communion in cases of necessity?

3) If an acolyte is not a ordainment, and they are either Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or Ministers of Holy Communion, then why don't I see them?

I have seen lots of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, but I have never seen an acolyte, when it appears that an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is who is used when need arises and there is no acolyte.

I just generaly confused, please help.
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An acolyte is the second of the minor orders en route to becoming a priest. It is more than being an altar boy. An acolyte is a formal function within the life of the Church. He is the ordinary minister of the altar. He will assist the deacon and the priest, just as the deacon and the priest assist the bishop. An altar boy is an extra ordinary minister, in light of there not being enough acolytes to serve the Mass. That is a big distinction. Just as the lector is the ordinary minister of the Word.

An acolyte can be vested in tunic and serve as a "sub deacon."

1. Everything is part of their regular duty except performing baptisms. That would be an extraordinary function. An acolyte cannot perform baptisms as a priest or a deacon would.

2. An acolyte is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He is not an ordinary minister, in any sense of the word. That function is proper to the bishop, priest, and deacon (cf. Redemptionis Sacramentum #154).

3. The reason that you don't see them, is that there are not many out there. The role is mainly reserved for those who are in seminary and then it is for only half a year or so, depending on the seminary. However, there are some who leave the seminary or those who have by virtue of other reasoning, which have been installed as acolytes by necessity. The latter, however is rare.

The idea of acolytes is finding a bit of a ressurgance lately. Look to the diocese of Baker, Oregon. Bishop Vasa has started an acolyte program. I believe more are on the way. Incidentally, I am an instituted acolyte. I speak from experience on this issue.