Facing the Byzantine icon of the Last Judgment, reproduced by Kiko Argüello in the Domus Galilaeae church on the Mount of Beatitudes, eight young candidates for the ministries of lector and acolyte stood to receive from the bishop's hands the treasures the Church wants to give them: the Word and the

Eucharist. 

These youth do so as part of the journey that brought them to the Holy Land, from different countries

around the world, in order to enter a discernment process at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Galilee.

During the celebration, Mgr Rafic Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Galilee entered the church in procession, preceded by the candidates for the ministries, thirteen priests and accompanied by Deacon Igino Sistilli, also from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary.

Before the beginning of the liturgy, the rector of the seminary, Fr. Francesco Voltaggio, introduced the assembly, composed of the brothers of the neocatechumenal communities of the candidates for the ministries of lector and acolyte; the brothers on mission in the Domus Galilaeae; and Fr. Rino Rossi, rector of the house.

Also participating in the Eucharist were the professors of the seminary, who also take part in the service of the Church by giving these candidates the tools they need to fulfill the mission that God wants to entrust to them.

The celebration was marked by Mgr Rafic Nahra's homily, in which he reflected on the stages the Lord takes us through to lead us to His will. These stages are also reflected in the path to priestly ministry, which include the ministries of lector and acolyte.

To the new lectors, he reminded them that one must have "two ears: one to hear the Word of God and the other to listen to our brothers." To the new acolytes, he explained the meaning of serving the altar and the Body of Christ, reminding them of humility, which must be the primary characteristic of the priest.

Songs in Arabic and Italian enlivened the celebration, carried out with the liturgical renewal that the Neocatechumenal Way has brought since its inception in Spain in the 1960s, as a fruit of the Second Vatican Council. The movement was born among the poor in Madrid, inspired by God through His servants Carmen Hernández and Kiko Argüello.

The new lectors are Elías Gavín Sebastián (Zaragoza, Spain), Francisco Hurtado Cárdenas (Bogotá, Colombia), Giacomo Pagliariccia (Pescara, Italy), Lucas Solbach (Mulhouse, France) and Oscar John Núñez (Naga City, Philippines).

The new acolytes are David Sotgiu (Foligno, Italy), David Pérez Meroño (Murcia, Spain) and Giovanni Bovi (Foligno, Italy).

Sitting in the church contemplating the joy of this ceremony and being accompanied by the community of brothers in which they live their faith, these young men thought of the promise they received from the Lord during the journey they experienced during these years: "Do not fear, from now on you will be fishers of men." (Luke 5:10)