A. The Ministry of the Sacred Order
PRIEST & DEACON
We place the ministry of the Sacred Orders at the top of the Eucharistic celebration. The minister of the Eucharistic celebration is either a Bishop or a priest. When we use the term “Presider“, what we mean is the minister of the Eucharistic celebration. During mass, the Presider plays the role of president of the ceremony. In other words, all other ministries are united under the presidency of the priest. He is visibly the head of the assembly. The responsibility entrusted to him is of capital importance, since he becomes ipso facto the guide of the people in the liturgical celebration.
The second office in the sacred orders is that of the Deacon. He has also an important role to play during the celebration. As the helper of the Presider, the deacon is the one to proclaim the Gospel. Apart from the proclamation of the Gospel, the deacon also makes his intervention at many other parts of the Eucharistic celebration which are mentioned below. The deacon is the one to prepare the altar before the beginning of the liturgy of the Eucharist. It is the deacon who directs the assembly at moments such as the proclamation of the mystery of faith, the sharing of peace; he is the one to conclude the Eucharistic celebration saying, “The Mass is ended, let us go in peace to serve and love God”. Like the Presider, the deacon must also adopt attitudes that will lead people to a full participation in the liturgy.
B. The Ministry of laity (The people of God)
During liturgical celebrations, the ministers in the sacred orders occupy the first position as facilitators; after them comes the assembly of the faithful. Among the people whom the priest leads during the Eucharist, others choose to participate while helping in different ways according to their talents. These ministers include people who help in reading the Gospel, singing, establishing order during the mass, dancing and many other aspects. It is made of those we call: Acolytes, Cantors, Nkumu, Bana Nkembi, Ushers, and Announcer.
