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Guidelines for
Lectors
The ministry of reader goes back to the earliest days of the Church. It was
established for what it is today, namely, the reading of God's Word at the
Eucharistic celebration. It was reserved, by necessity, to those people who
were educated and therefore could read. Then it became an order or step toward
the priesthood. Then, as monasteries and seminaries developed, the order was
used only at those locations because they had men studying for the priesthood.
In the parish church, the priest did all the readings, except when there was a
"Solemn High Mass"; then the Subdeacon read the Epistle and the Deacon (as he
still does today) read the Gospel.
Following Vatican Council II, Pope Paul VI, in 1971, issued several documents
relative to the role of readers. Paul VI involved two principles of Vatican
II. First is the general principle that calls for full and active
participation of the faithful in the Church's worship. The second is that
which requires an apt distribution of functions and ministries in the
assembly.
Theologically, the ministry of reader is rooted in that priesthood of which
the first letter of Peter speaks when it names the Christian people "a chosen
race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart". (I Peter 2,9). In other words,
this ministry is a way of realizing the share in Christ's priestly office
which all the people have through the sacraments of initiation.
It is apparent from the documents of Paul VI that the role in the Liturgy
involves responsibilities which extend beyond the boundaries of the liturgical
assembly. The lector is expected to have a great love for the Scriptures, to
even take some part in the instruction of the faithful who are preparing for
the reception of the Sacraments, and also to be aware of the need to make the
Word of God known to all. Therefore, a Pastor may, from time to time, call
upon the lector to help with the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy that
must be done in a parish.
Because a lector's task is so great, the worshipping community notes your
external "attitudes" and "appearances". Therefore, there are some general
directions or guidelines:
1. The Word of God calls the people together in unity. The Eucharist at which
the Word is proclaimed is the source and reflection of the unity of the
parish, as well as the Church as a whole. It would be a sham to engage in
public ministry during the liturgy if one were not working in harmony with the
parish priests in building unity in the parish.
2. Lectors should be properly attired for their ministry. Men should dress in
coat and tie; women, in a dress or pants suit.
3. The schedule of assignments for reading is published weeks in advance, and
the list for each Sunday is printed in the preceding Sunday's bulletin. It is
the lector's responsibility to find a substitute if he/she cannot keep an
appointment. Any lector who has three uncovered absences will be removed from
the list.
4. You must be an active, registered parishioner. That would and does involve
many things, but two especially come to mind: you must be a regular
contributor, through the envelope system, to the financial support of your
parish, and you must attend Mass weekly, and not only be seen when you are
scheduled to read. Also, God forbid, if something would happen in your
personal life that would be scandalous to continue in this ministry, you would
have the decency to resign.
Directions for the Ministry of Reader
1. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the Mass. Mark the list to show that you
are present. Review the readings and "Prayers for the Faithful" with the
celebrant. Verify the pronunciation of names and places in the scripture.
There will generally be two readers assigned for each Mass. The first reader
will carry the Lectionary in the procession behind the cross bearer and
acolytes, and always just before the priest. The Lectionary should always be
carried in front of you, but not necessarily held high.
2. Before Mass, the lector for the first reading will put the clipboard with
the "Prayers for the Faithful" on the bottom shelf of the ambo/lectern
3. Assemble with the celebrant and servers for the procession to the
sanctuary. Servers lead the procession followed by lectors and the celebrant.
The lector for the first reading will carry the Lectionary, holding it for
everyone to see.
4. The procession will stop briefly at the last pew of the sanctuary and will
then proceed to the altar.
5. The servers will stop at the first step in front of the altar, bow, and
walk around the altar to their stations. The lectors approach the first step
and bow. The lector with the Lectionary will walk to the ambo/lectern, place
the Lectionary there and be seated in the first pew in front of the lectern.
The other lector will go directly to his/her seat in the first pew.
6. When the congregation is being seated after the opening prayer, the first
reader will approach the pulpit and open the Lectionary. Do not check to see
if the microphone is on. Before you begin to read, look about to see if all
are in their pews. The ushers have been instructed to seat people after the
opening prayer and before the first reading begins. When you begin the
reading, say, "A reading from......". Do not begin with, "Our first reading is
a reading from......." At the conclusion of the reading, say, "The Word of the
Lord" but do not hold the Lectionary up. Remember to read clearly and slowly
and make eye contact with your fellow church-family members. Return to your
seat when you are finished. NOTE: The first lector is responsible for
reading the Responsorial Psalm if it is not being sung. Always check in the
sacristy before Mass whether it will be sung by the cantor or recited by you
and the congregation.
7. After the Responsorial Psalm is recited by the lector and the congregation
or sung by the cantor, the lector for the second reading will go to the
ambo/lectern. Begin reading the scripture. Remember to read clearly and slowly
and make eye contact with your fellow church-family members. Return to your
seat when you are finished.
8. The "Prayers for the Faithful" follow the "Profession of Faith" which ends
with "... We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world
to come." and is followed by the peoples' response, "Amen". During this last
sentence or so of the Creed, the first reader should return to the lectern so
as to be in position for the Prayers of the Faithful. Read the invocations
one at time, pausing after each one to lead the people as they respond, "Lord,
hear our prayer". The celebrant will complete the "Prayers for the Faithful".
9. When Mass has ended and the servers have walked to the front of the altar,
the lectors will stand. The lector who brought the Lectionary will take it
from the ambo and both lectors will walk together to the foot of the altar and
stand behind the priest and in front of the servers facing the altar. All
again bow reverently before the altar.
10. The servers will lead the procession out of the sanctuary
11. After Mass return the Lectionary and the clipboard to the sacristy.
12. After the priest has greeted the people following the Mass, both readers
should see him to ask for any comments he may have about their reading. It
would not be a bad idea if the readers commented to each other on their own
reading.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PREPARE AND PRACTICE! There can be no other direction more important than
this. It is absolutely essential for the proper reading and meaning to the
passage, so you must be ready to read when you arrive at Church. PLEASE be in
the sacristy at least 15 minutes before Mass begins. We will begin looking for
a substitute after that time. If a substitute is found and you arrive later,
you will forfeit your privilege of reading at that Mass.
SCHEDULING. At all weekend Masses, there will be two readers scheduled when
possible. You will know well in advance, and your name will appear in the
bulletin the week before you are to read. At times you may not be able to
read, BUT it will be YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to arrange for a substitute. If you
cannot arrange for a substitute, please call the person responsible for lector
scheduling at least by Saturday morning before the Saturday or Sunday you are
to read. Every effort will be made to schedule you at the Masses you prefer,
but this cannot always be possible. Remember: you are committed to a ministry,
not a time slot!
REMEMBER, PREPARE AND PRACTICE!
Be in the sacristy at least 15 minutes before Mass begins.
COMMITMENT! |
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