acolyte

Acolyte is a concept that is used in the field of religion catholic. An acolyte is the individual who, without having clerical orders, can act in extraordinary situations such as Minister, administering the Eucharist and fulfilling functions at the altar.

The mission of the acolyte is collaborate with the priest or deacon at mass and other celebrations of the liturgy. Since the beginning of the church, the acolytes were young people who escorted the bishops since they wanted, later, to access the ecclesiastical world. In this way, they acted as messengers for the clerics and developed different chores during mass.

Although it is common for acolytes to be candidates for clerical orders, the laymen They can also exercise the ministry. It is important to differentiate, however, between the acolyte (who is instituted) and the altar boy (Any Catholic who has received the first communion and who wishes to collaborate with the priest). The acolytes can instruct the altar boys and, in special situations, give communion if there are a large number of communicants or if the minister is absent.

Beyond this distinction, the similar tasks that they can perform during the liturgy make the concepts acolyte and altar boy are often used interchangeably. An altar boy is sometimes even considered to be a "Acolyte in fact", since it is not instituted within the framework of a ministry but collaborates with the priest and serves at the altar.

In the universe from Marvel comics, on the other hand, is known as the Acolytes to a group of villains who respond to magnet, and that they consider themselves his fans. Its creation was in charge of Jim Lee and Chris Claremont and they debuted in the first volume of X-Men in 1991.

At first, this group of mutants desperately fled from the soldiers of SHIELD, an intelligence agency that is part of the Marvel Universe and is under the direction of the character Nick Fury. The first leader of the Acolytes was Fabian Cortez, another of the villains of the series.

Throughout the story, the Acolytes come across Magneto, who gives them protection in the Asteroid M, the name of their space station, where they take refuge for a time. However, Fabian Cortez manages to confront the group of Men X and part of the Acolytes lose their lives on the battlefield.

Church Recommendations for Acolytes

* feel honored to have been chosen to carry this office, and make every effort to do so with responsibility and fidelity;

* pay special attention to the tasks of organizing the ceremonies, such as the preparation of the altar and the lighting of the thurible;

* always show a deep love for the Lord through actions, such as visiting the nearest church regularly, praying the rosary every day and a prayer of action of thanks after receiving communion;

* keep alive the bond of friendship that unites them with God. For example, go to the confessional in the face of any sin and avoid any occasion that may lead to behaviors that are far from the path marked by religion;

* accept any indication to improve with absolute modesty, to open the doors to the correction of their own mistakes;

* act with responsibility and seriousness during the celebration of the ceremonies, precisely carrying out orders and duties, paying attention to the minister's notices and showing a discreet and inspiring attitude in front of the faithful;

* take care of the direction of the gaze and position at Masses, avoiding distractions by all means and staying upright.