Overview of the Ministry of Lector:
Proclaiming God’s Word versus reading God’s Word!

Any educated person can read the Scriptures out loud.
Proclaiming the Word of God is much more than just reading. It can be a powerfully prayerful experience for you – one that you share with the entire assembly gathered for Mass. The key to effective proclamation lies in understanding the meaning of the lesson and words you are about to read. One question might be: What is God attempting to say to me in these readings? What is required more than anything is your faith shining through your proclamation of the Word. This requires advance preparation! This requires time. An appropriate amount of time to spend in preparation is a minimum of two hours per week.

All lectors should have a current year copy of Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers. In addition to the readings, it is important to periodically read the Introduction notes at the front of the Workbook.

Prayer, preparation and practice are the keys to your being an effective proclaimer of God’s Word. Spend time in prayer and contemplation during the week before you will be reading. Familiarize yourself with all three readings, so that you understand the tone and flow of the entire Liturgy of the Word for that Sunday. Review the commentaries in your Workbook which will help you understand something about the purpose of the author and the historical setting out of which the passage arises.

Read through the readings several times aloud. With the Workbook as your guide, follow the suggestions for where pauses can be made, where inflection of voice can be made. If there is emphasis on a phrase or sentence, e.g. Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:11: “and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, ⁹ to the glory of God the Father,” it is more than appropriate to proclaim this louder and with emphasis.
Review any words that you find difficult to pronounce or the meaning of which you do not understand. The Pronunciation Key in the Workbook and/or a dictionary can be very helpful. Become very familiar with the readings; this will let you feel comfortable enough to make eye contact with the congregation.

Please be aware that lectors and other liturgical ministers set an example for those attending Mass. Your respect for your ministry should be reflected in your appearance and your attire. Always dress modestly and appropriately.

Even though there is a microphone at the lectern, you should project your voice. Take your time reading…read slowly and loudly.

Each lector is responsible for serving when scheduled. Contact a substitute or switch with another lector when you have a schedule conflict. If, after trying, you cannot find a substitute, contact Fr. Marek (frmarek@lfbhnj.org or 464-1585).

A liturgical minister may perform only one liturgical ministry at any one Mass. Thus, if you are a lector at a Mass, you may not be a music minister, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion or an usher at the same Mass.

Before Mass:

Arrive at least fifteen minutes before Mass begins.

Check the lectionary to be sure that it is marked to the correct readings.
Check with the Cantor/leader of song to see if he/she will be leading the psalm from the pulpit. If the cantor is going to lead from the pulpit, please move to the center before the altar and, with the cantor, bow together, before heading back to your seat. This would be duplicated after the conclusion of the psalm.

If there is no deacon assigned for the Mass, review the General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful). Be sure that you are aware of how to pronounce any names to be mentioned. If you have any questions about pronunciation, consult the presider before Mass. (Those who compose the Prayer of the Faithful will try to spell out names phonetically whenever possible.)

Read over any oral announcements.

During Mass:

The lector takes part in the entrance procession as long as a deacon is not present. If a deacon is present, please take your place in the assembly. The order of procession is: altar servers, lector or deacon, presider.

The deacon or the lector (if no deacon is present) carries the Book of Gospels. If the lector is carrying the Book of Gospels, he/she proceeds directly to the altar (no bow) and places the Book of Gospels in the center of the altar, then goes to his/her seat in the assembly.

After the Opening Prayer, and as people are sitting, the lector approaches, bows reverently to the altar and goes to the pulpit.

Beginning in Advent, the presider will read a short introduction to both the first and second readings while the lector is approaching the pulpit.

Before the reading, look at the congregation for eye contact. Proclaim the introductory line, “A reading from …” while looking at the congregation. (Please pronounce the “A reading…” with the “uh” sound.)

At the end of the reading, look at the congregation, pause before saying (silently count 1,2,3), “The Word of the Lord.” In order to enable the assembly to ponder and reflect on the Word proclaimed, at the end of the first and second readings, the lector should bow his/her head and stand in prayerful silence for about a 20 second pause (about the time it takes to say a “Hail Mary”) before leaving the pulpit.

After the second reading, prayerfully pause for 20 seconds, then place the lectionary on the shelf in the pulpit, in preparation for the presider or deacon who will bring the Book of Gospels to the pulpit.

At the conclusion of the Creed, the lector will read the General Intercessions if there is no deacon present.

The lector will read any announcements at the end of Mass.

**The lector remains in the assembly and DOES NOT take part in the recessional. The role of the lector in procession is to carry the Book of the Gospels. It is always about the prominence of the Word of God.

After Mass:

If there is another Mass, the lector should take the lectionary from the shelf and place it on the lectern.

The lector should take the Book of Gospels back to the sacristy.

Notes:

The same general procedures apply to the Upper Church and the Little Church and for weekday and funeral Masses.

For Sunday and weekday Masses in the Little Church, the lector also reads the responsorial psalm. Note: Especially at a Mass with no music, it is important to remember to have the times of silence. If the responsorial psalm is recited, the lector should begin with the antiphon. It is not necessary to announce, “the responsorial psalm is …”

There is no workbook for daily Mass readings. Please arrive early for daily Mass in order to allow time to review the readings. Publications like Magnificat contain the daily Mass readings and might be a useful resource for you.

Lectors are needed for Holy Days of Obligation for the 7:00 PM (Vigil Mass), 6:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m. Masses. Please inform Fr. Marek if you would be available to be a lector for Holy Days.


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