By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent

Christopher Pinto, a member of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, has been in formation for the priesthood since September 2013 – a journey he describes as “one of challenge and growth – yet it has been overwhelmingly joyful.”

That formation process includes tiers of progression, or ministries, before ordination takes place. On March 14 in St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, four seminarians of the Diocese of Trenton received such distinction. Pinto and fellow seminarian Christopher Dayton were installed to the Ministry to Acolyte while seminarians Frank Flaherty and Nicholas Dolan were installed to the Ministry to Lector. Both of these ministries precede ordination to the diaconate, which will occur in a few years’ time.

There are two formal lay ministries – Ministry of Reader and Ministry of Acolyte. Pope Paul VI defined these two lay ministries which are open to men, and a man is installed to these ministries when he is preparing to be ordained a deacon. A reader is entrusted with the proclamation of Scripture and teaching. The acolyte assists the priest and the deacon at the altar and is a minister of Holy Communion. (To read further about the Ministry of Reader and Ministry of Acolyte, visit www.trentonmonitor.com.)

 Off to a Great Start

 The seminarians, though early in their formation, have expressed enthusiasm for their vocation that is spurred on by reaching these preliminary milestones.

“My experience so far has been great!” said second-year seminarian Dayton, parishioner of St. Catharine-St. Margaret, Spring Lake. “This recent institution is helping me see the more public side of ministry.  It is also a reminder of service to the people of God.”

Flaherty, a first-year seminarian, belongs to Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, Riverside. He too, has had a rewarding start to his formation journey. “It has been fun, difficult, spiritually rewarding and emotional at times,” he said. “I feel very comfortable and content where I am.”

Dolan, who belongs to St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, describes his experience thus far as “an intense, but joyful one.”

“The spiritual life, particularly as a seminarian, is intense because, if you’re like me who began out of high school, it can last for a total of eight years,” Dolan said. “That is a long time of discernment and preparation, of formation and examination!”

Pinto came to the seminary after 15 years of directing middle and high school bands. He acknowledged that leaving behind his familiar career was not easy, but ultimately a decision that has enriched his faith and afforded him unique opportunities.

“Entering the seminary is an experience that causes you to leave your comfort zone and familiar surroundings,” Pinto explained. “But so far, every challenge and difficulty has caused me to grow closer to the Lord. I have had many beautiful experiences so far as a seminarian that I could have never experienced outside of it.”

 Spiritual Focus

Though years from ordination to the diaconate and priesthood, the seminarians’ passion for their vocation is quite evident.

“I still wake up in the mornings sometimes and I cannot believe I am actually here,” Pinto said. “There is a peace that I never experienced before I came here, and I am so thankful to God for this life that I am living.”

That peace is coupled with the ever-present challenge of personal examination and spiritual redirection.

“It calls for a constant and continued effort to examine your life in light of the life of Jesus Christ, of his Gospel and Church, and of your daily experiences with all of those around you,” Dolan explained. “Even though this effort is an intense one, and can be tiring at times, it is a joyful one because along the way of following Jesus in priestly formation, you discover his presence to you and love for you in places and ways you never expected or could have imagined to find him. This is exciting and vivifying!”

Being installed into the Ministry of Lector or Acolyte has been the impetus for renewed spiritual vigor, and a way to mark another step along the path to eventual ordination.

 “My spiritual focus … will always remain being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and an active participant in his mission,” Pinto said. “What is different, however, is that I am one step closer to the priesthood and the reality of receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders. It is a daunting responsibility that I often do not feel I am worthy of, but by the grace and love of God, I am willing to try and do my best to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ as a future priest.”

Dolan believes his recent institution to the Ministry of Lector was a “pivotal point in the process” of formation, giving him new focus. He, like Pinto, takes his responsibility seriously.

“I was formally entrusted with the Sacred Scriptures by the Church through the Bishop who instituted me - with my brother seminarians and family witnessing,” Dolan said. “Moreover, I was not simply given this to keep to myself for my own personal devotion or study, but to internalize the truths of the Sacred Scriptures and proclaim them and teach them to everyone I come into contact with, but especially with those who are already being entrusted to my care in my pastoral work and assignments.”

The Next Step

Following summer assignments, additional classes or returning to home parishes, the seminarians will proceed along their appointed path in a combination of study and ministry.

A music minister in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish before seminary, Pinto plans to return during spring break and summer to help with the music. He will be entering fully into theology studies next year, as well as accepting a 2016 summer assignment to a parish within the Diocese. He hopes that in May 2018 he will receive candidacy to be ordained a transitional deacon.

Dayton will receive a 2014 summer assignment, as well as minister in a Baltimore area hospital next year. He will be in second theology for the upcoming school year, with two more years until the diaconate.

Dolan plans to help out at his home parish, St. Anthony of Padua, whenever he is home for a break or over the summer, unless otherwise assigned. He will begin his second year of theological studies in the fall, with installation to the Ministry of Acolyte on the horizon.

Flaherty, who is currently studying philosophy, hopes to continue his studies with summer classes. He will return to Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish for the break, then will begin another year of philosophy study followed by four years of theology.

Regardless of each seminarian’s plans, the future will depend upon the support of their families and parishes, discernment, study and - most importantly - prayer.

Pinto emphasized that during this next phase of his formation, and during every step of his journey, “Prayer is always part of the process. I also humbly ask everyone to pray for me and the other seminarians of our Diocese. Your prayers are graciously appreciated and make a huge difference!”

“I am grateful for the support of my family and friends and the members of my home parish,” Flaherty said. “I am thankful to Bishop O’Connell for giving me the opportunity to pursue my vocation to the priesthood.”

Before, during and after his installation to the Ministry of Lector, Dolan kept thinking about the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” (Jer 15:16)

“I can’t help but feel that our Lord is calling me to live out these very words of the Prophet Jeremiah,” Dolan explained, “namely to devour the written Word of God as the joy and delight of my heart, and then to hand on these same words to the people of God through the calling of my life as a seminarian and, God willing, priest of Jesus Christ.”