Ministers of the Word
Saint Elizabeth Church
“The Word of God as proclaimed in the sacred Scripture lies at the heart of our Christian life and is integral to all our liturgical celebrations.” (Book of Blessings, 1827)
According to the ancient tradition and the teaching of the Church, the readings other than the Gospel are proclaimed by lay ministers. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 59)
Since the use of two lectors - one for each reading - is encouraged, the parish community should strive for enough lectors to fulfill this ideal. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 109, Lectionary for Mass Intro 52)
The proclamation of the Word of God is truly a service to the Church. Lectors bring the living Word of God to the liturgical assembly. The ministry of the Word should, therefore, be treated
seriously and with great dignity. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 55)
"The exercise of your ministry calls for you to communicate the Word that pierces the silence of our lives, so that we might sing that song which is echoed in praise throughout
the halls of heaven." (Most Rev. Anthony Pilla, Bishop Emeritus of Cleveland)
The Word of God is not merely read during the liturgy. It is proclaimed, yet not with theatrical show. Effective proclamation involves the delivery of the message with clarity,
conviction and appropriate pace. It demands the ability to evoke faith in others by demonstrating one's own faith. Proclamation is a special ministry which presupposes faith. It also
rouses faith in those who hear the Word proclaimed. (Lectionary for Mass, Introduction, 55)
“[Lectors] should be truly suited to perform this function and should receive careful preparation, so that the faithful by listening to the readings from the sacred texts may develop
in their hearts a warm and living love for the Sacred Scripture.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 2000, 101)
Lectors need to be seated in a place which allows for easy access to the ambo, preferably among the assembly. At the time of the Liturgy of the Word, the lector approaches the ambo
slowly and with reverence. All movements in the liturgy are performed at an appropriate pace with dignity and grace; they are never hurried, nor are they done in a manner that draws
attention to the reader. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 310)
Christ is truly “present in the word since it is he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are proclaimed in church.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 56)
“The two parts which in a sense go to make up the mass, the liturgy of the word and the Eucharistic liturgy, are so closely connected with each other that they form but one single
act of worship.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 7)
The ministry of reader is open to fully-initiated, practicing Catholics who are in good standing with the parish community and possess a love of the Scriptures.
The ministry of requires good communication skills and knowledge of the principles of liturgy.
For pastoral reasons, on special occasions or at liturgies with children and those geared to families with children, a young person who is not yet fully initiated
(i.e. confirmed and has received first Eucharist) may fulfill the role of lector. (Directory for Masses with Children, 22)
The pastor determines the needs and the persons best qualified to serve the parish in the ministry of lector. Those who are invited into this role should realize that it is a
ministerial function in the community, and should exercise it in a spirit of faith and service.
The lector ministers as one of the worshiping assembly and is expected to participate in the entire liturgy. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 91)
Be aware that the actions of lectors and other liturgical ministers set an example for the assembly.
The Constitution on Sacred Liturgy (#28) teaches: “All taking part in liturgical celebrations, whether ministers or members of the congregation, should do all that pertains to them,
and no more, taking into account the rite and liturgical norms.” Therefore, readers may not serve in any other capacity, such as a music minister, an extraordinary minister of holy Communion,
or an altar server, during any particular liturgy. Your ministry during Mass is solely that of a reader.
In order that the service of the Word might be effective, all lectors are expected to be fully prepared for their ministry. Preparation should be spiritual, scriptural, and practical.
Spiritual Preparation
Pray with the text and reflect on its message. Ask yourself “What is God saying to me in this passage?”
Is it a letter? A discourse to the crowd? A story? A dialog? A poem? A song? A metaphor? A warning?
What is the passages’ context in its Biblical book? Who wrote or said it? What emotions are conveyed?
Review the commentaries in your Workbook for Lectors and Readers, which will help you understand something about the purpose of the author and the historical setting out of which the passage arises.
Ask yourself, “What are the messages and the meanings that God might be communicating to His people in this passage?”
Understand the text and interpret it sufficiently so as to evoke a response from the assembly.
Practical Preparation
Rule #1: read the text 5 times out loud. It is only when you read it out loud that you yourself can hear the reading and learn to proclaim it comfortably and effectively.
Master difficult words and learn their correct pronunciations. Readings and pronunciations can be found in the Workbook for Lectors.
Also, the readings for every Sunday and weekday of the liturgical year can be found on the website of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops at: www.usccb.org.
Once you have an understanding of the content of the reading, begin to consider the tone and the pace at which it should be read.
Decide where it is most appropriate to pause, and for how long.
Become so familiar with the text that you would feel comfortable enough to lift your eyes from the page occasionally, and make eye contact with the assembly.
Immediate Preparation
Lectors need to arrive at church no later than 15 minutes before the start of Mass.
It is unacceptable to rush into the sacristy just before Mass to “look at the readings.”
Check to make sure that the Lectionary is at the ambo and opened to the correct reading that matches that in the missal.
Make sure that the ‘Prayer of the Faithful’ is on the pulpit. Check to make sure that Mass time at the top of the sheet is correct. If not, ask the priest, or check the sacristy.
Review the names listed in the petition for the dead. These common prayers deserve the same quality of reading as do the others.
Join the presider and the other ministers in the vestibule at the front entrance to the church, or, on holy days of obligation or other liturgies, in the sacristy.
As Mass time approaches, end conversations and be alert and ready to proceed to the altar as soon as the music begins.
It is appropriate for you to greet people as they enter, but please be sensitive to those inside the church who are prayerfully preparing for Mass.
You are welcome to wait in the church if the vestibule is too cold or noisy for you.
Lectors are to take part in the entrance procession. They walk immediately in front of the presider, behind the Eucharistic ministers and altar servers.
Lectors and Eucharistic ministers are to carry the missal which is opened to the hymn of praise. The songs of the Mass are prayers that are part of the liturgy.
As the procession reaches the front of the altar, all ministers should stand in front of the first sanctuary step on the left side of the presider. After genuflecting to the tabernacle with the presider and other ministers, proceed to your place.
When the opening prayer is completed, approach the pulpit as the assembly is seated. The approach does not include any genuflection or bow to anything or anyone.
Have a presence about you. Your actions should be reverent and deliberate (but not robotic).
Keep both of your feet firmly on the floor, and place your hands on the book or the pulpit. It is advisable to use a finger to point to the text as you proclaim it.
This will allow you to be more comfortable making eye contact with the assembly and will help you to keep your place.
Avoid distractions from the liturgical action of proclamation. Such distractions include: leaning on the ambo, placing hands in pockets, shuffling from one foot to the other, or wearing anything that draws attention to the lector.
Items such as shirts with print, buttons, and pins, are never appropriate. They distract from the message, which is the Word of God, not one that you may feel called to bring to the liturgy.
Do not rush into the reading. Wait for the assembly to be seated and attentive. After the community is seated and quiet, the reader looks at the community and then begins.
Eye contact is important throughout, but especially at the beginning of the reading and at the end. The Word from God is being shared between people of faith.
The pulpit microphone is not an omni-directional microphone. It must be aimed at your mouth. The microphone is not, however, weak. Do not lean over toward the microphone – stand up straight at all times.
Do not hesitate to adjust the microphone as needed.
Listen when you pronounce words with the letter ‘p’ and be careful not to overwhelm the speakers.
Before you begin, take a deep breath (discreetly and inaudibly) and allow the assembly to get settled.
The words of introduction (“A reading from…”) and conclusion (“The Word of the Lord”) need to be set apart from the reading itself. Leave 2 or 3 seconds between these phrases and the text. Both phrases are stated in a matter-of-fact tone without special emphasis.
The phrases are intended to be read exactly as printed in the lectionary. Phrases such as “The first reading is a reading from ...” are never said.
Text in red print is never to be read aloud.
Read naturally. The text is meant to be heard, not read. Avoid “formal pronunciations” of words and pronounce them naturally, as you would in everyday conversation.
Do not sound strange, artificial, or melodramatic. Avoid running words together. Don’t let the ends of sentences or words fade softly away; let them all be heard.
After the last sentence is proclaimed, pause for a few seconds, then say, “The word of the Lord.” The book is never to be held up when these words are proclaimed -- the Word is alive (spoken), not dead (printed). Also, the reader does not say “Thanks be to God."
As the Responsorial Psalm begins, turn the page in the lectionary (if necessary) and locate the beginning of the second reading. When you are comfortable that you have found your place, step aside as the Psalm is sung. All ministers should join the assembly as the refrain is sung.
After the second reading, walk directly to your seat. Do not adjust the microphone or turn any pages in the lectionary.
Throughout the proclamation of the Gospel and the homily, all ministers are expected to engage in active listening, along with the assembly. Your attention should be focused on the liturgical action, wherever that might be.
The ministers’ seating area is not an exclusive VIP area. Conversations are not appropriate at any time during the liturgy.
During the recitation of the Nicene Creed (“We believe in one God...”) listen for the phrase, “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son...” As this is recited, make your way back to the pulpit and prepare for the Prayer of the Faithful. You may need to re-adjust the microphone at this time.
The presider begins the Prayer of the Faithful with a call to prayer, which may or may not match the exact words that are printed on the sheet. In any case, be ready to follow with the first petition.
While the priest offers the concluding prayer, remain at the pulpit with your head slightly bowed. At the end of the prayer, when the assembly is seated, make your way back to your seat.
Communion Rite
When standing behind the altar for Communion, do not turn toward your back to the altar at any time, or face or reverence the tabernacle in any way. The focus of the assembly is always on the sacrifice of Christ on the altar, and nowhere else.
When receiving Communion, the sign of reverence that is prescribed by the USCCB is “a slight bow of the head.” Any other sign of reverence is inappropriate.
The sign of the cross is not a part of the Communion Rite, and does not form part of the liturgy at the moment of reception.
As soon as you have received Communion, return to your place and kneel for prayerful reflection.
Recessional
As the closing hymn begins, lectors join with the other ministers in front of the bottom step of the sanctuary, and face the altar. Genuflect (or bow, if you are physically unable to genuflect) with the priest, then turn and follow the altar servers and Eucharistic Ministers. The missal is to be carriedwhich is opened to the opening or closing hymn. The songs of the Mass are prayers that are part of the liturgy.
Ministers are never to walk behind the altar, in either direction, outside of the Communion Rite. If you need to exit the church in an emergency, please use the door that connects to the gymnasium, or the door at the entrance for the handicapped.
If for some reason you find yourself crossing in front of the altar, then a bow to the altar is made. Bowing to the priest or to the tabernacle is not called for at any time, unless you are physically unable to genuflect to the tabernacle along with the priest and other ministers at the beginning and end of Mass, in which case you are to bow.
Under no circumstances may a lector add anything to any reading or to the Prayer of the Faithful, or subtract or change any part of the readings or the Prayer of the Faithful.
When recovering from a mistake, a cough, or a sneeze, do not apologize for it (i.e. "Oops, sorry about that..." or “Excuse me...”). Simply regain your composure, and casually begin the sentence again.
If there is a distracting situation (fire alarm, someone faints), the priest will give directions – otherwise continue.
Do not attempt to organize or clear the pulpit of materials at any time during Mass. Unless directed otherwise by the presider, do not close or remove the book from the pulpit or move any papers.
Occasionally, there are two versions of a text that appear in the lectionary (“Shorter Form” and “Longer Form.”) It is the lector’s responsibility to ask the presider which form should be read.
When the parish organist is not present, readers will proclaim the Responsorial Psalm. Do not introduce the Psalm (”Today’s Responsorial Psalm is...”). Simply begin with the text, after a brief pause.
An additional reading called a sequence is proclaimed by the Lector after the second reading on Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday.
If you are unable to serve at a particular Mass time, or if you will be away for any reason, please find a replacement. Do not call the rectory.
Updated February, 2009
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