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A guide for lectors at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church
LECTOR PROCLAIMING THE
WORD
Lector Proclaiming the Word
A Guide for Lectors
at
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church
REVISED AND UPDATED
August 14, 2013
Lectors: Proclaiming the Word, A guide for Lectors at St. Albert the Great
Catholic Church has been developed as a resource by Deacon Chuck Lanham for
ministers who are responsible for proclaiming the Word at Mass.
Lector Proclaiming The Word
The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I
might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse
them. Isaiah 50:4
“The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the
Gospel. He may also announce the intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful and, in the absence of
a psalmist, proclaim the Psalm between the readings.”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 99, USCCB
Thank you for your desire to become a Lector and serve in this wonderful
ministry. The Lector performs an important role in the Liturgy of the Mass—
proclaiming The Word of God. When the Lector reads the Sacred Scriptures
during Mass, God himself speaks to His people, opening up to them the mystery
of redemption and salvation, offering them spiritual nourishment. Having been
nourished by His Word, the people pour out their petitions in the Prayer of the
Faithful for the needs of the entire Church and for the salvation of the whole
world.
Ministry schedule
6
Ministry schedule The schedule for every Mass is published in the bulletin and mailed to all
ministers prior to the beginning of every month. Each month when you receive
the calendar, please review your assignments and make note of when you are
scheduled to read.
The schedule is organized by weekend and by ministries. Lectors will be listed
using Roman numerals (I, II, III.) Specific assignments are detailed later in this
guide but in general they are:
I. First Reading
II. Second Reading
III. Pre-Mass Announcements and the Prayer of the Faithful
Absences
We are all called away on occasion for various reasons and in most cases these
absences are known and arranged in advance. Please, let the Parish staff know
when you will not be available as far in the future as possible; this will allow them
to create the schedule with those who will be available.
Replacements
If you cannot read at a Mass you have been assigned it is your responsibility to
find a replacement. You can procure a phone list from the Parish Office.
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
7
Preparation “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.”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 101, USCCB
The week before you are scheduled to read, the Parish office will mail you a copy
of the readings, taken from the Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers, and
Proclaimers of the Word. Each reading will be accompanied with helpful
suggestions, pronunciation guides and a brief commentary on each reading to
assist you in preparing to proclaim The Word. You can also review the readings
by visiting the USCCB website ( http://usccb.org ) and clicking on the calendar
for the day that you will be reading.
You may also wish to purchase your own copy of the Workbook for Lectors,
Gospel Readers, and Proclaimers of the Word through the Parish office; they are
very helpful.
To prepare for your ministry, don’t just look the readings over—PRAY them—
absorb what God is saying to His people. Most of all … Practice, Practice,
Practice. Practice them out loud so that you can hear how you are going to
proclaim your reading. Don’t guess at difficult words. If you don’t know how to
pronounce a word, ask someone, such as the priest when you arrive at church.
Dress
8
Dress “… acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable
vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, # 339, USCCB
As a Lector, you are serving in a ministry role and should always dress
appropriately; after all it is a special banquet you are attending and serving. This
is not an occasion for T-shirts, shorts, blue jeans, tennis shoes, or other casual
dress.
Arrival All Lectors should arrive at least 15 minutes before Mass begins. It is important
that you inform the Sacristan of your presence and initial your name on the
schedule posted on the bulletin board near the cry room. Ask the Sacristan if there
are any special instructions for that particular Mass.
Lectors should approach the ambo prior to the beginning of Mass and review their
readings to insure that they are easily located and the correct one for the day.
There are occasions, such as feast days, when readings vary between the Saturday
Vigil Mass and Sunday Masses. Taking the time to review prior to the beginning
of Mass will improve the flow and beauty of the Mass.
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
9
Bowing
There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head; and a bow of the body, which is
referred to as a profound bow. A bow of the head is made whenever the three
names of the Trinity are said together, and when the name of Jesus, Mary, or the
saint in whose honor the Mass is celebrated is said.
A profound bow, bending the entire body at the waist to where you can touch the
knees with the palms of your hand, is made at a few specific parts during the
Mass, and whenever you pass in front of an altar. We bow to the altar because the
Altar represents Christ—so we reverence it with a profound bow. When we
reverence the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle we are adoring God Himself,
since the Lord is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, so we genuflect.
For Lectors, as you approach the sanctuary to perform your reading, you should
perform a profound bow toward the Altar—not the tabernacle— before
proceeding to the Ambo. After your reading, proceed down the steps, turn, face
the Altar and perform a profound bow; then return to your seat.
Assignments
10
Assignments Up to three Lectors may be assigned to each Mass, although at times there may be
only two, so assignments will vary. When a Deacon serves the assignments will
also be different.
Responsibilities If there are three Lectors (no Deacon):
III – Says the “pre-” Mass welcome announcements
I – Processes in the Book of the Gospels and proclaims the 1st Reading
II – Proclaims the 2nd
Reading
III – Leads the Prayer of the Faithful
If there are two Lectors (no Deacon):
II – Says the “pre-” Mass welcome announcements
I – Processes in the Book of the Gospels and proclaims the 1st Reading
II – Proclaims the 2nd
Reading
I – Leads the Prayer of the Faithful
Deacon and two Lectors:
II – Says the “pre-” Mass welcome announcements
I – Proclaims the 1st Reading
II – Proclaims the 2nd
Reading
Deacon – Processes in the Book of the Gospels and leads the Prayer of the
Faithful
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
11
Lector I “In coming to the altar, when no deacon is present, the lector, wearing approved attire, may
carry the Book of the Gospels, which is to be slightly elevated. 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.”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 194-195, USCCB
When no Deacon is present the Lector assigned to proclaim the 1st reading carries
the Book of the Gospels, slightly elevated, to the Altar during the entrance
procession. The order during the entrance procession is:
Cross Bearer
Server(s)
Book of the Gospels
Presider
Altar
Lector I
12
When the entrance procession reaches the front of the Altar the order should be:
Server(s) Book of the Gospels* Presider Cross Bearer
* The Lector carrying the Book of the Gospels should stand directly in front of
the Altar candle nearest the Ambo.
When the Presider performs a profound bow, all should reverence the Altar with a
profound bow, with the exception of the Cross Bearer and the Lector carrying the
book of the Gospels. The Book of the Gospels and the altar are both symbols of
Christ, and one should not bow to the other.
The Lector carrying the Book of the Gospels should wait at the foot of the Altar
until the Presider has kissed the Altar. The Lector should then proceed to walk,
slowly and reverently around and to the back of the Altar, placing the Book of the
Gospels in the center of the Altar, exit the sanctuary, stop at the floor level, turn
and face the Altar. Perform a profound bow and return to your pew.
IMPORTANT: The Lector never kisses the Altar.
Altar
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
13
It is strongly suggested that for simplicity and reverence that you take a seat near
the front left side near the Ambo. Walking across the entire sanctuary is
distracting and time consuming.
Reading “After the collect, all sit. The priest may, very briefly, introduce the faithful to the Liturgy of the
Word. Then the lector goes to the ambo and, from the Lectionary already placed there before
Mass, proclaims the first reading, to which all listen. At the end, the lector says the acclamation,
Verbum Domini (The word of the Lord), and all respond, Deo gratias (Thanks be to God).”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 128, USCCB
The first reading is proclaimed after the Presider concludes the opening prayer
(collect.) The Lector should approach the Altar, stop and perform a profound
bow, then proceed to the Ambo.
Lectors should always enter and exit on the left side of the Ambo and always
reverence the Altar with a profound bow.
Make sure that the book is open to the first reading. Take your time and relax.
You should know the introduction and be able to make eye contact with the
congregation. Remember, you are proclaiming the Word of God to your sisters
and brothers.
Lector I
14
Begin with
“A reading from ...”
PAUSE for a second or two after the introduction, and then proclaim the reading.
At the conclusion of the reading PAUSE. This is important. Wait 2-3 seconds,
long enough for everyone to recognize that the Word has been proclaimed, before
announcing the acclamation. If you fail to pause, the congregation will often not
realize that you have finished, so PAUSE and then look at the congregation and
proclaim clearly and slowly
”The Word of the Lord.”
Wait until the congregation responds with
“Thanks be to God”
then turn the page in the book to the second reading then exit the sanctuary the
same way you entered, stop at the floor level in front of the Ambo, turn and face
the Altar, perform a profound bow and return to your pew.
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
15
Lector II “If there is to be a second reading before the Gospel, the lector proclaims it from the ambo. All
listen and at the end respond to the acclamation.”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 130, USCCB
The Lector assigned to proclaim the 2nd
reading does not process in at the
beginning of Mass but simply takes a seat with the Congregation. It is suggested
that for simplicity and reverence that you take a seat near the front left side near
the Ambo.
Reading
The second reading is proclaimed following the singing or recitation of the
responsorial Psalm. The Lector should approach the Altar, stop and perform a
profound bow, then proceed to the Ambo.
Make sure that the book is open to the second reading. Take your time and relax.
You should know the introduction and be able to make eye contact with the
congregation. Remember, you are proclaiming the Word of God to your sisters
and brothers. Begin with
”A reading from ...”
PAUSE for a second or two after the introduction, and then proceed to proclaim
the reading.
Lector II
16
At the conclusion of the reading PAUSE. This is important. Wait 2-3 seconds,
long enough for everyone to recognize that the Word has been proclaimed, before
announcing the acclamation. If you fail to pause the congregation will often not
realize that you have finished, so PAUSE and then look at the congregation and
proclaim clearly and slowly
”The Word of the Lord.”
Wait until the congregation responds with
“Thanks be to God”
then close the book and place in on the shelf under the Ambo; exit the sanctuary
the same way you entered, stop at the floor level in front of the Ambo, turn and
face the Altar, perform a profound bow and return to your pew.
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
17
Lector III Lector III is responsible for welcoming the people to the celebration of the Mass,
pre-Mass announcements and in the absence of a deacon, leading the Prayer of the
Faithful. The Lector should be positioned behind the Ambo a few minutes before
the Mass is to start. Check that the book is opened to the introduction. Watch for
the Presider to give you a nod or wave to begin.
Reading
Before Mass
After saying “good afternoon”, “good evening”, or “good morning” PAUSE to
allow the people to respond back. You will then have their attention and can
continue with the remainder of the welcoming and announcements. Proclaim the
greeting loudly and joyfully, like you are really happy and glad they are there.
Turn the page in the book to the first reading then exit the sanctuary the same way
you entered, stop at the floor level in front of the Ambo, turn and face the Altar,
perform a profound bow and return to your pew.
Lector III
18
Prayer of the Faithful
“After the recitation of the Creed, the priest, standing at the chair with hands joined, by means of
a brief introduction invites the faithful to participate in the prayer of the Faithful. Then the
cantor, lector, or another person announces the intentions from the ambo or from some other
suitable place while facing the people, who take their part by responding in supplication. After
the intentions, the priest, with hands extended, concludes the petitions with a prayer.”
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 138, USCCB
The Prayer of the Faithful or Intercessory Prayer is read after the Creed following
the Homily. Toward the end of the Creed when the congregation begins to pray
“…we believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church…” the Lector should
approach the Altar, stop and perform a profound bow, and then proceed to the
Ambo.
Move the Book of the Gospels to the shelf under the Ambo and return the book of
readings to the top of the Ambo. Locate the Prayer of the Faithful page and
prepare yourself to read, following the introduction by the Presider.
After each prayer, PAUSE for a second or two, before saying
“Let us pray to the Lord.”
Don’t rush it…remember, we are praying. After the last prayer is read, remain
standing at the Ambo until the Presider has finished the closing prayer, then exit
the sanctuary the same way you entered, stop at the floor level in front of the
Ambo, turn and face the Altar, perform a profound bow and return to your pew.
Lector—Proclaiming the Word
19
The Recessional While it has been the practice to process the Book of the Gospels and the
collection basket at the end of Mass this is liturgically incorrect as the Word of
God has been proclaimed. Therefore, the Book of the Gospels and the collection
basket are never processed out during the Recessional. Lectors never process out
at the end of Mass.
After Mass After the Presider, servers, and cross-bearer have processed out and the choir has
concluded the final song, Lector I should proceed to the sanctuary and retrieve the
Book of the Gospels, returning it to the stand at the back of the Church.
Lector II, along with the Sacristan, should proceed to the sanctuary and retrieve
the collection basket and take it to the Sacristy. The collection should be placed in
a “collection” bag, sealed, and signed by the Lector and Sacristan. The collection
bag should then be placed in the slot of the safe.
Upon completion of these duties, your ministry for the liturgy is complete and you
should go and serve the Lord.
After Mass
20
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.