These ministries were established by Paul VI by the apostolic letter Ministeria quaedam.  The new ministries, which are now carries by lay persons, replace the corresponding minor orders, which were suppressed along with tonsure and sub-diaconate; the two ministries are also to be exercised by candidates for ordination, either before or after they are admitted to candidacy for holy orders. (in the apostolic letter provision was also made for the restoration or establishment of other lay ministries, in addition to the two ministries common to the Latin Church).

The Latin text of the rites of institution or blessing of readers and acolytes was issued by decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship dated December 3, 1972.    -The Rites Volume Two

Our brothers and sisters are to be entrusted with administering the Eucharist, with taking communion to the sick, and with giving it as viaticum to the dying.

       In this ministry, you must be examples of Christian living in faith and conduct: you must strive to grow in holiness  through this Sacrament of unity and love. Remember that, though many, we are one body because we share the one bread and one cup.

    As ministers of Holy Communion be, therefore, especially observant of the Lord's command to love your neighbor. For when he gave His body as food to His disciples, He said to them: "This is my commandment, that you should love one another as I have loved you."

To serve at Christ's altar, to render one's talents in service to God in the Liturgy, to proclaim His Word and to offer the Holy Eucharist to those who are desiring are ministries that should never be taken lightly, seen as ordinary or become  commonplace. The invitation to serve, in any capacity in the Sacred Liturgy, is given by Christ. Our response is given to Christ. We must always keep in mind that Christ has called us to perform this particular task so that the many may see Christ revealed in His Word, in His Eucharist, in every aspect of prayer, be it spoken or sung. We are faced with the task of allowing Christ to be present by our actions, our witness, our prayer, our very own AMEN.