AN ORIENTATION ON THE MINISTRY

OF THE LECTOR IN THE

ONE HOLY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

AT

ST. BAKHITA CATHOLIC CHURCH.

HISTORY OF THE MINISTRY OF LECTOR. From the earliest times, the church had a number of minor

orders which were responsible for performing various ministerial

functions in the liturgy. These orders (porter, lector, exorcist,

and acolyte) were ordained to carry out a specific ministerial

function in the mass.

Over the course of time, these minor orders came to be used

only as stages of preparation of candidates for the priesthood,

and so most parishes would not have ordained lectors.

In 1972, Pope Paul VI suppressed the minor orders, and

replaced them with two ministries: Lector and Acolyte.

Clearly the Church sees the work of the reader as a vocation

and a ministry, not simply a job or function. The readers of the

parish do not form another parish society. Rather they are

called in a special way to serve the entire parish community.

WHO IS A LECTOR AND WHO CAN BE A LECTOR?

A lector is the person who proclaims the first or second reading at Mass. This person also may

lead the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass.

The General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) provides the following:

“In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be

commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture. They

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 Sacred Scripture.” (GIRM, 101)

The two requirements for lectors listed in the General Instruction are that they be

“TRULY SUITED” TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION

SHOULD RECEIVE “CAREFUL” PREPARATION.”

WHAT CONSTITUTE ‘TRULY SUITED” TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION

THE CASE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA

A fully initiated Catholic living in communion with the

Church. Thus, a lector should have received both First

Holy Communion and Confirmation

Should not be living in an invalid marriage or any

other state of grave sin.

Have the necessary talents to serve as a lector. Thus,

individuals who are not able to proclaim the readings

in a clear manner that expresses the dignity of

scripture may not be suited for this service in the

church.

THE CASE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ANCHORAGE

The pastor, or his delegate, determines the

needs and the persons best qualified to serve

the parish in the ministry of lector.

This ministry is open to women and men aged

sixteen and above, who have been fully

initiated. They should be practicing Catholics,

in good standing with the parish community

and possess a love of the Scriptures.

CAREFUL PREPARATION

Instruction in Liturgy of the Word

Scriptural spirituality for Ministers of the Word

Proclaiming the Word: practicum and

formation in public speaking

 

ROLE OF THE LECTOR IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE MASS

Proclaim the readings from Scripture, with the

exception of the gospel.

May sing or read the psalm between the readings

in the absence of a Psalmist.

May also announce the intentions for the general

intercessions.

May carry the BOOK OF THE GOSPELS not

lectionary in the absence of a deacon.

PREPARING TO READ AT MASS

PERSONAL PREPARATIONS AT HOME

Develop a knowledge and familiarity with the text of scripture

Learn the vocal techniques of proclamation; intonation, pitch,

pacing.

On the day of reading pay attention to the dress you wear for

Mass. This means that the lector's dress should not distract

from the reading of the Word of God, but should rather express

the dignity of the Word, and the importance that the lector

assigns to his service.

IN THE CHURCH

Ensure you come to church in time; 15 minutes before

the Mass at least. This will help you go over the

readings and check the correct markings in the

lectionary. If possible keep the page number in mind.

Coming in time will also help confer with the Presider

which reading he will prefer. Sometimes we have

shorter and longer of the readings.

DURING THE PROCESSION

If it is the practise that lectors process with the priest and ministers then it is

appropriate that they are well vested in their robes preferably.

One of the lectors may carry the Book of the Gospels with the permission of the

priest. In that case, the lector walks in front of the priest but otherwise along with

the other ministers.

Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the others. If he is

carrying the Book of the Gospels, he approaches the altar and places the Book of

the Gospels upon it. Then the lector takes his own place in the sanctuary with the

other ministers. (GIRM 194,195)

LITURY OF THE WORD APPROACHING THE AMBO

If the lector is not seated in the sanctuary, then he

makes a profound bow to the altar before he enters

it. If the lector is already in the sanctuary, he

proceeds directly to the ambo. (cf. GIRM 274)

The lector should walk reverently towards the altar.

READING

The beginning of the reading should not be rushed. At the ambo or lectern wait for a

moment so that everyone can get settled in place.

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.

Announce the Scripture reading simply as it is stated in the reading, i.e. “A reading

from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah,”

Do not say something like, “the first (second) reading is…”

Also, do not read the small red print at the start of a reading.

Read audibly and slowly. A speaking style on the part of the readers that is

audible, clear, and intelligent is the first means of transmitting the word of God

properly to the assembly.(General Introduction to the Lectionary, 14)

After the reading, again pause slightly before saying “The Word of the Lord.”

Avoid ‘This is the Word of the Lord.’

OTHER SPECIAL ROLES WHICH THE LECTOR MAY PERFORM

THE PSALMIST

“It is preferable that the responsorial Psalm be sung, if there is no psalmist, the lector

may also proclaim the responsorial Psalm

Obviously, the reader should only be called upon to sing the responsorial Psalm

If there is no cantor,

If he or she has a good singing voice. Otherwise, the psalm is recited

THE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

When no deacon is present, the lector, after the introduction by the priest, may

announce from the ambo the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful. (GIRM,197)

THE ENTRANCE AND COMMUNION ANTIPHONS

If there is no singing at the Entrance or at Communion and the antiphons in the

Missal are not recited by the faithful, the lector may read them at the appropriate

time. (GIRM, 198)

OTHER SPECIAL ROLES WHICH THE LECTOR MAY PERFORM. CONTD

THE COMMENTATOR

Another function sometimes exercised by lectors is the role of the commentator.

SINGING THE READINGS

The readings, taken from the approved editions, may be sung in a way suited to different

languages. This singing, however, must serve to stress the words, not obscure them. On

occasions when the readings are in Latin, they are to be sung to the melody given in the

Ordo cantus Missae. (General Introduction to the Lectionary, 14).

At the conclusion of the other readings, ... the word of the Lord may be sung, even by

someone other than the reader; all respond with the acclamation. In this way the gathered

assembly pays reverence to the word of God it has listened to in faith and gratitude.

(General Introduction to the Lectionary, 18)

 

THE MOST FAMILIAR BOOK OF THE LECTOR- THE LECTIONARY

The Lectionary is two types, one for Sundays and Feast Days and one for Weekdays.

The Sunday cycle is divided into three years; A, B, and C.

Masses for Sundays and Major Feast Days:

First Reading - from the Old Testament; except from Acts of the Apostles during

Easter Season

Responsorial Psalm - mostly from the Book of Psalms; sometimes other biblical

"Canticles"

Second Reading - mostly from the Letters of Paul, but sometimes other NT Epistles

and the Book of Revelation

Verse before the Gospel - usually a direct biblical quotation, but sometimes adapted

from a biblical text

Gospel - Year A: Matthew; Year B: Mark mostly; Year C: Luke; (John is used mostly

in Lent & Easter)

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES TO EFFECTIVE READING

GETTING TO KNOW THE READINGS

ORDO.

1. This is the annual, official book which instructs the priest on what Mass,

what feast is celebrated.

2. Don’t read without checking from the Ordo as to what the correct reading

is.

OPENING TO THE RIGHT READING

Get to know the cycle proper to the year.

Be familiar with the liturgical seasons.

The readings are arranged in order, according to the seasons.

WALKING

Walk reverently. Do not run or appear hurried. One can

usually tell how a reading will go based on the lector's

approach to the ambo (lectern). Those who race to the

ambo will generally race through their reading.

Putting the hands together is recommended.

During procession the BOOK of the Gospels should be

elevated above the head.

BODY POSTURE As much as possible hold your body straight but not rigid.

Don’t lean on the ambo or lectern

Stand on two feet, not one. Place your hands lightly on the lectionary

or ambo or you may hold the book if you feel comfortable doing so.

Do not put your hands anywhere other than on the lectionary or

ambo or comfortably at your sides. 

Do not put your hands in your pockets, on your hips, behind your

back or in folded arms. 

Above all, do not use your hands at any point during the reading. It

is theatrical, inappropriate and will annoy your listeners. 

EYE CONTACT

Eye contact is the most important part of body language

Eye contact is made possible when the lector is thoroughly familiar with the reading and

doesn't need to see the lectionary for every word

Eye contact helps you to keep the correct spacing and pauses

Some of the best times to look directly at your assembly:

When you first get to the ambo

When you proclaim the announcement line i.e. where the reading is taken from-

· At the end of a sentence

· During key words or phrases

· When changing gears (e.g. changes in mood, time, place, character, relationship, etc.)

· Just before the closing line (i.e. "The Word of the Lord" or "The Gospel of the Lord") · During and after the closing line.

PAUSES

How much time one takes between thoughts or phrases.

SOME SUGGESTED TIMES TO PAUSE

To allow listeners to absorb an important point

To provide space between multiple thoughts in the same sentence

To take a breath

Before and after quotes to offset the quote from the character or narrator

After the announcement line "A Reading from." -This will give the assembly a chance to place the prophet, era or Biblical location in their minds and ready them to actively listen to the passage.

Before the closing line, "The Word of the Lord"

RATE

Rate refers to how quickly or slowly one speaks.

The best rate for a particular passage depends on

the content of the reading but as a general rule,

lectors should proclaim at one-half their normal

speaking voice. 

VOICE AND DICTION

BREATHING

Good, strong breathing is necessary if you are going to read smoothly and powerfully

Take some deep breathes before you begin to read. This helps you to relax and have a good

supply of air

Some exercise.

Say “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

Put your hand four inches from your mouth and say “All’s well that ends well.” You should

not feel any breath except when you say “w” and “that”

Take a full breath, without straining, and count from one to twenty on that breath, without

rushing.

Take a breath, relax, and then whisper NO. Take another breath and quietly say NO. Notice

the low pitch and the relaxed quality of the tone. Do the same with YES, HOW, OH, WHO,

ONE, TWO.

PRONUNCIATION

Always refer to a dictionary for the correct pronunciation

Try pronouncing WHERE and WEAR

WITCH and WHICH, WATT and WHAT, WAIL and WHALE.

ENUNCIATION

Enunciation means that the speaker clearly articulates all the sounds that make

up the word. 

A common mistake in enunciation is to drop the "d" or "t" sound from the end

of a word. This is a dangerous practice in proclaiming because very often, it is

precisely the inclusion of the "d" or "t" that separates one word from another.

 For instance, "mend" has a totally different meaning than "men". Likewise

"sent" without a clearly enunciated "t" might be interpreted by listeners as "sin". 

EMPHASIS OR STRESSES Certain key words have to be stressed in the readings.

Pronounce the exclamation OH in such a way that it suggests each of the following meanings.

a) great surprise

b) indifference

c) disappointment

d) disgust

e) pleasant surprise

VOLUME

The ability to project ones voice to the hearing of the listeners is crucial

Sometimes, the problem is equipment-related but more often than not, it

has to do with the lector's ability to project, voice quality and/or their use

of the microphone. 

Be familiar with the church or the "space" in which you are reading. In a

large church where there is a good distance between the reader and the

last pew (or between the loudspeakers and the farthest person), the reader

may need to speak more slowly to allow the words to be more easily

heard.

Learn the basic usage of the microphone. How to turn it on and off.