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Click here for the current
Lector schedule
"In the
liturgy God is speaking to his people and Christ is still
proclaiming his gospel!"
-- Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Liturgy, 7, 33
What Lectors
Do...
Lectors read the Word of God at Masses and other
Liturgies. They share with the priests the task of making
the Word of God come alive for the parishioners at Mass.
Qualities of a
Good Lector...
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Knowledge, appreciation and
love for the scriptures
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The maturity and ability to proclaim the
scriptures with poise and confidence
-
An understanding of the role of scripture in daily
life, the liturgy, the
sacraments, and the liturgical
seasons
-
Good public speaking skills
-
Ability to convey warmth, to gain and keep the
congregation's attention, and to motivate others through
speech
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A commitment to live the message of the scriptures
that is being proclaimed
How To
Prepare...
You should have been given a Lector's Workbook which contains the
Readings and Gospels for the current year. (If you don't have one
contact the Rectory.) This Workbook contains some very helpful notes
about the actual Readings and Gospels as well as tips for good
Lecturing.
The best way is to practice. Go over the Readings at least four
times during the week before you read at Mass. The Readings are in the Workbooks. There is no substitute for
being familiar with the Readings.
During Mass, a Lectionary is used for the Readings
by Lectors, while the Priest reads the Gospel from the Book of
Gospels.
The Prayers of the Faithful and the Announcements
(if any) are in a green 3-ring binder.
While preparing, use the Workbook. Be sure to read the two Readings
and the Gospel. The first and second Readings have
been chosen according to their relationship with the Gospel. Identify the type of passage you are to read. Is it a
story? Is it a dialogue between different characters or
voices? Is it a prophecy, a letter, a series of laws, a
parable, or a song?
Use the Workbook to check the
pronunciation of unfamiliar names in the scriptures. The following web site
is also a good resource
for Biblical pronunciations: http://netministries.org/bbasics/bbasics.html
Prepare well. Practice reading aloud in front of a mirror
or for family or friends.
Read intelligently, in a lively manner, and when
indicated, conversationally.
Read what you believe. Consider yourself a "proclaimer
of the Word of God."
Observe and learn from other Lectors when you are not
scheduled to lector.
When doing the Readings, Prayers of the
Faithful and the announcements during Mass, read slowly and
deliberately - you are proclaiming the Word of God!
Since we all have a tendency to read too fast, a good rule of thumb is if you think you are reading too
slowly, you're probably reading at the correct pace.
What to do on
Sunday (or before other Liturgies you're a Lector for)...
Dress appropriately.
Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before
Mass. Generally, the person listed first will read the first
Reading and the Prayers of the Faithful. The second person
will read the second Reading and any announcements at the end of
Mass. However, it's a good idea to talk to your partner before Mass
to decide who will read what. Also talk to the Priest about
whether he wants to read the announcements (if any) after Mass.
You should look over the Readings
in the Lectionary. While the text is the same as the Workbooks, the layout is different and you'll do a better job if you're familiar with the Lectionary layout.
Read the Prayers of the Faithful and any
announcements over if you are doing them, to make sure of
the pronunciation of any names. Check with the
priest if you have any questions.
Put the Lectionary on the
Podium open to the first reading.
Put the green Prayers of the
Faithful notebook in the shelf under the Podium.
Make sure the ribbon is at the
correct Gospel in the Book of Gospels.
While waiting with the Priest and Eucharistic
Ministers before Mass starts, greet the parishioners as they enter
the church.
When Mass is ready to start, line up for the opening
procession. Altar Servers go first followed by the Eucharistic
Ministers then the Lectors. The Priest is last.
During the opening procession, carry the Book of
Gospels. (The Priest reads the Gospel from the Book of
Gospels, not the Lectionary).
After the opening procession,
the Lector carrying the Book of Gospels puts it on the Altar.
Walk around the altar on the left side (while the priest goes around
the right side) and put the Book of Gospels on the end of the Altar
closest to the Tabernacle.
You are asked to sit in the front pew; since there
is no kneeler, you may sit when the congregation is kneeling.
Note! The Lector
who reads the second Reading MUST put the Lectionary in the shelf
under the podium to make room for the Book of Gospels which the
Priest brings over from the altar just before the Gospel reading.
When Mass is over, process out with the Priest and
Eucharistic Ministers. (Leave the
Lectionary and Book of Gospels on the podium). Stand near the rear
door and offer goodbyes to parishioners as they leave the Church.
Return the Lectionary, the green notebook with
Prayers of the Faithful, and Book of Gospels to the sacristy where the
Lectors for the next Mass can find them. Make sure the ribbon is placed at
the correct first Reading in the Lectionary and correct Gospel in the Book
of Gospels.
Becoming a
Lector...
If you would like to become a Lector at St. Mary's Church
and need more information, contact the Rectory
(508-543-7726). Lector nominations are usually given during
Lent at all of the Mass. New Lectors and
Eucharistic Ministers are accepted on Holy Thursday.
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