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Ministry of Lector - What the Church
says:
(from the
USCCB)
In the readings, the table of God's word is
laid for the faithful and the riches of the Bible are opened to
them. Hence, the arrangement of the biblical readings must be
observed, whereby the unity of each Testament and of the history
of salvation is demonstrated; nor is it permitted that the
readings and responsorial psalm, which contain the word of God,
are substituted by other, non-biblical texts.
In the celebration of the Mass with a congregation, the readings
are always given from the ambo.
By tradition, the office of reading the
Scriptures is a ministerial, not a presidential function. The
readings should be delivered by a lector, the Gospel being
proclaimed by the deacon or by a priest other than the
celebrant. If, however, a deacon or other priest is not present,
the priest celebrant proclaims the Gospel. Further, if a
suitable lector is not present, then the priest celebrant also
delivers the other readings. After each reading, whoever does
the reading proclaims the acclamation. Responding to it, the
gathered people honor the word of God which they have received
with faith and grateful hearts.
The lector is instituted to proclaim the
readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the gospel
reading. He may also announce the intentions for the General
Intercessions and, in the absence of the psalmist, sing or
read the psalm between the readings. In the celebration of the
Eucharist, the lector has specific duties which he alone ought
to perform, even though ordained ministers may be present.
In the absence of an instituted lector, other
lay people may be designated to proclaim the readings from the
Sacred Scriptures. Such designated lectors must be truly
qualified and carefully prepared for this office, so that the
faithful will develop a warm and lively love for Sacred
Scripture from listening to the reading from the sacred texts.
After the opening prayer, all sit. The priest
may, in a very few words, introduce the faithful to the liturgy
of the word. Then the lector goes to the ambo and proclaims the
first reading from the Lectionary already placed there
before Mass; all sit and listen. At the end, the lector makes
the acclamation, The Word of the Lord, with all
responding, Thanks be to God.
Then a brief period of silence may be observed
as appropriate, so that all may meditate on what they have
heard.
The psalmist or the lector sings or recites
the psalm verse and, as a rule, the congregation makes the
response.
If there is a second reading before the
Gospel, the lector proclaims it from the ambo with all listening
and making the acclamation at the end, as above. Then, as the
occasion allows, a brief period of silence may be observed.
In the procession to the altar, when no deacon
is present, the lector, wearing the appropriate vesture, may
carry the Book of the Gospels elevated slightly. In that
case, the lector walks in front of the priest, otherwise with
the other ministers .
Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a
profound bow with the others. If the lector is
carrying the Book of the Gospels, the lector goes to the
altar and places the Book of the Gospels on it. Then, the
lector takes up a position in the sanctuary with the other
ministers.
At the ambo the lector proclaims the readings
that precede the gospel reading. If there is no psalmist, the
lector may also sing or recite the responsorial psalm after the
first reading.
After the priest gives the introduction to the
General Intercessions, the lector may announce the
intentions from the ambo when no deacon is present.
If there is no opening liturgical song or
communion song and the antiphons in the Missal are not said by
the faithful, the lector may recite them at the appropriate
time.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the lector does
not process with the Book of the Gospels. The Lectionary
is never carried in procession. The lector may join in the
procession at the end of Mass in the same order as in the
procession to the altar.
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The Sacred Liturgy
&
Reader of the Word of God
Coordinator: Joan Milloy
 
Liturgy Main Page
Readers of
the word are individuals called to proclaim the Word of God to the
assembly during Eucharistic celebrations. God speaks to His people
through the action and proclamation of the Reader. The impact of
God's message depends on an individual's belief in God's word and
their conviction, preparation, and delivery of it.
General Principles from the
USCCB
Reading and Explaining the
Word of God
When the Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself is speaking
to his people, and Christ, present in his own word, is proclaiming
the gospel. The readings of God's word must therefore be listened to
by all with reverence; they make up a principal element of the
liturgy. In the biblical readings, God's word addresses all people
of every era and is understandable to them, and a fuller
understanding and efficacy are fostered by a living commentary on
it, that is to say, by the homily, understood as an integral part of
the liturgical action (GIRM
29).
Vocal Expression of the Different Texts
In texts that are to be delivered in a loud and clear voice, whether
by the priest or deacon or by the lector, or by all, the tone of
voice should correspond to the genre of the text, that is,
accordingly as it is a reading, a prayer, an instruction, an
acclamation, or a liturgical song; the tone should also be suited to
the form of celebration and to the solemnity of the gathering. Other
criteria are the idiom of different languages and the genius of
peoples.
Silence
The liturgy of the word must be celebrated in such a way as to
promote meditation. For this reason, any kind of haste which impedes
recollection must be clearly avoided. Brief moments of silence are
appropriate during the liturgy. Such moments should be suitable for
the gathered assembly, in which the Word of God is taken into the
heart by the fostering of the Holy Spirit, and its response is
prepared through prayer. Such moments of silence are opportunely
observed after the first and second reading, and then, at the
completion of the homily.
"Genuine
ministry is about humble service. In order to serve the community
and give faithful testimony to the word, the reader must put aside
personal agendas and needs" (Guidelines for Ministry of Reader,
Diocese of St. Petersburg).
Readers of
the word are required to be members of the parish community and to
be of sufficient age and competency. A willingness to prayerfully
deepen one's spiritual commitment, and one's knowledge of the
Scriptures and liturgical worship is essential. Ministry as Reader
of the Word also requires one to possess the skills necessary for
effective oral proclamation.
"Always...Christ is present in His Word"
(Lectionary for Mass (LFM), no.
4)
Based upon
Roman Missal Formational Materials provided by the Secretariat
for the Liturgy of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops, ©2002.
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