In January this year Pope Francis wrote an Apostolic Letter entitled Spiritus Domini issued as a “Motu Proprio.” This document provides for women to be admitted to the ministries of lector and acolyte. At first sight this might not look like a very significant move, since women have been performing these roles for many years. However, it is quite significant, because the principle established by this Motu Proprio has great potential. It establishes the principle that all lay ministries officially instituted by the Church are open to women as well as men.