By Jackson Saunders
ELEVEN seminarians were recently instituted as Lectors or Acolytes in the seminary Church of Sacred Heart Carlton without any family or friends being able to be present due to the fourth COVID-19 lockdown.
The occasion had initially been planned to take place at St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne with the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter A Comensoli.
However, due to the restrictions imposed by the lockdown, which did not permit public religious gatherings, the occasion was instead celebrated only with those already in residence at the seminary.
Archbishop Peter delegated Corpus Christi College Rector, Father Denis Stanley, to institute the new Lectors and Acolytes at the seminary.
Fr Denis Stanley celebrates Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Carlton. PICTURES: Joseph Nguyen
The five seminarians instituted as Lectors for the Archdiocese of Melbourne include Tuong Nguyen, Jamie Castillo, Rhys Lowther, Ian Vergel and John Vespa.
From left to right; Tuong Nguyen, Jamie Castillo, Rhys Lowther, Ian Vergel and John Vespa.
The six seminarians for the Archdiocese of Melbourne instituted were An Le, Tue Pham, Jean-Sebastien Gery, Peter Nguyen, Tien Tran and Allan Aclan.
From left to right; An Le, Tue Pham, Jean-Sebastien Gery, Peter Nguyen, Tien Tran and Allan Aclan.
The occasion marked important milestones for the new Lectors and Acolytes as part of their continued studies for the priesthood.
While the eleven seminarians would have liked to have celebrated the occasion with family, friends and parishioners at St Patrick’s Cathedral, they were grateful that the occasion could still go ahead with those in residence here at the seminary.
Sixth-year seminarian, Vinh Do, leads the procession into Sacred Heart Church.
The seminary Schola sung at the Mass directed by Adelaide Archdiocese Deacon, Olek Stirrat, with first-year Melbourne seminarian, Xavier Ryan, playing the organ.
A highlights video of the Mass is available here.
Deacon Olek Stirrat (far left) is pictured with the seminary schola.
After the Mass the seminary community enjoyed its usual Sunday roast lunch.
Fr Denis Stanley and the seminarians in the sacristy before the Mass.