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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...
-
Knowledge, appreciation and
love for the scriptures
-
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
-
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.)
The Workbook contains helpful notes
about the Readings and Gospels as well as tips for good
Lecturing.
Be sure to go over the two Readings. If your partner
doesn't show up you will need to do both Readings so be prepared.
Look over the Gospel. The Readings have
been chosen according to their relationship with the Gospel and
being familiar with the Gospel will help you in interpreting the
Readings. 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? The notes in the Workbook will help you
with this.
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/bwords.htm.
Prepare well. The best way to prepare
is to practice. Practice reading aloud in front of a mirror,
your family or friends. Go over
the Readings in the Workbook at least four
times during the week before you are scheduled to read at Mass.
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 and Prayers of the
Faithful (and the announcements if needed) during Mass, read slowly and
deliberately - you are proclaiming the Word of God!
HINT: Since we all have a tendency to read in public 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. The Priest will usually read any
announcements, however, it's a good idea to talk to your partner
before Mass to decide who will read what and ask the
Priest if he will be reading the announcements (if any) at
the end of Mass. Determine who will be carrying the Book of Gospels
before you process in at the beginning of Mass.
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 binder. Before 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 text.
Read the Prayers of the Faithful and any
announcements to yourself if you are doing them, to become familiar
with them and 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 and the Prayers of the
Faithful binder in the shelf under the Podium if the Sextants
haven't done so.
Make sure the ribbon is at the
correct Gospel in the Book of Gospels. (The Priest reads the Gospel
from the Book of Gospels, not the Lectionary).
While waiting with the Priest and Eucharistic
Ministers before Mass starts, greet 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.
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 lay the Book of Gospels down at the center of the Altar.
During Mass you are asked to sit in the front pew
located on the right side of the church facing the altar; since
there are no kneelers, you may sit when the Congregation is kneeling.
You should receive Communion with the Congregation.
If you are doing the first Reading, when the time
comes get up and walk to the Podium. You should give a short bow to
the altar as you walk to the Podium. When you have done the Reading
turn the page to the second Reading and move the book ribbon to make
it easier for the second Lector, then go back to the pew. The second Lector
should then get up, walk to the Podium offering a short bow to the
altar, and do the second Reading. When finished, the second Lector 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 to do the Gospel reading.
When Mass is over, process out with the Priest, Altar
Servers and
Eucharistic Ministers in the same order as you processed in. Leave the
Lectionary and Book of Gospels on the podium. After processing out,
stand near the doors and offer goodbyes to parishioners as they leave the Church.
Return the Lectionary, the binder with
the 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. The Sextants may have taken care of the books but it's a
good idea to check.
Becoming a
Lector...
If you would like to become a Lector at St. Mary's Church
contact the Rectory
(508-543-7726). Lector nominations are usually given during
Lent at all of the Masses. New Lectors and
Eucharistic Ministers are accepted on Holy Thursday.
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