OF YOUR OFFICE, TO HAVE A PART WITH THOSE WHO FROM THE BEGINNING, HAVE ACQUITTED THEMSELVES WELL IN THE MINISTRY OF THE DIVINE WORD." [1]
The third order is that of Exorcist: to him is given power to invoke the name of the Lord over persons possessed by unclean spirits. Hence the bishop, when initiating the Exorcist, hands him a book containing the exorcisms, and says: " TAKE THIS AND COMMIT IT TO MEMORY, AND HAVE POWER TO IMPOSE HANDS ON PERSONS POSSESSED, BE THEY BAPTIZED OR CATECHUMENS." [2]
The fourth and last amongst the Minor Orders is that of Acolyte: the duty of the Acolyte is to attend and serve those in holy orders, Deacons and Sub-deacons, in the ministry of the altar. The Acolyte also attends to the lights used at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, particularly whilst the Gospel is read. At his ordination, therefore, the bishop, having carefully admonished him of the nature of the office which he is about to assume, places in his hand a light, with these words: " RECEIVE THIS WAX-LIGHT, AND KNOW THAT HENCEFORWARD YOU ARE DEVOTED TO LIGHT THE CHURCH, IN THE NAME OF THE LORD." He then hands him empty cruits, intended to supply wine and water for the sacrifice, saying: " RECEIVE THESE CRUITS, WHICH ARE TO SUPPLY WINE AND WATER FOR THE EUCHARIST OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, IN THE NAME OF THE LORD."'[3]
Minor Orders, which do not come under the denomination of Holy, and which have hitherto formed the subject-matter of our exposition, are, as it were, the vestibule through which we ascend to holy orders. Amongst the latter the first is that of Sub-deacon: his office, as the name implies, is to serve the Deacon in the ministry of the altar: to him it belongs to prepare the altar-linen, the sacred vessels, the bread and wine necessary for the Holy Sacrifice, to minister water to the Priest or Bishop at the washing of the hands at Mass, to read the Epistle, a function which was formerly discharged by the Deacon, to assist at Mass in the capacity of a witness, and see that the Priest be not disturbed by any one during its celebration. These functions, which appertain to the ministry of the Sub-deacon, may be learned from the solemn ceremonies used at his consecration. In the first place, the bishop admonishes him that by his ordination he assumes the solemn obligation of perpetual continence, and proclaims aloud that he alone is eligible to this office, who is prepared freely to embrace this law. In the next place, when the solemn prayer of the Litanies has been recited, the Bishop enumerates and explains the duties and functions of the Sub-deacon. This done, each of the candidates for
- ↑ Vid. Cypr. epist. 33. et Tertull. de prescript, c. 61. et apud Baron. Annal. Eccl. anno. 34. num. 287. et an. 54. 78, 79. an. 153. num. 93. an. 456. num. 20.
- ↑ De Exorcist, vid. supra cit. auctores et apud Baron. Annal. Eccl. an. 34. num. 287. an. 44. num. 78. et num. 80. an. 237. num. 89. an. 56. num. 5. et num. 8. 9. 10. H. 12.
- ↑ De Acolytis vid. etiam Cypr. epist. 55. et apud Baron. Annal. Eccl. an. 44 num. 39. et num. 80.
