Guidelines for Lectors
(revised February 2008)

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Responsibilities
Recommendations
Logistics

INTRODUCTION

1.      Before you begin your preparation, always take a few minutes to pray.  Reading is a ministry and you are ministering to the People of God.  Trust God to speak through you.  

2.      Begin several days before your assigned reading.  All lectors are provided with workbooks that include the Sunday and Holyday readings with commentary to assist your understanding of the passage.  First, read it aloud (before looking at any commentaries).  What does the reading say to you?  What is the central point?  Check the commentaries and then read it aloud again, this time with pauses and inflection, building to the main point.  On the day before and the day of your assignment, read it through again a few times.  

3.      Take your time.  There should be no rush to get through the reading.  All your actions and words should be conducted with energy and dignity.  Before you start reading, allow a slight pause.  

4.      Try not to put your head down into the lectionary because your voice can become inaudible.  Eye-sweep a line or two or use your index finger to keep your place.  Read a few lines and then look up as you come to the end of a sentence.  

5.      Reading monotone is boring.  Read with enthusiasm, varying your pace and tone.  Slow down toward the end of the reading to let people know that you are near the end, add a pause, and then say “The Word of the Lord”.  

6.      Never apologize.  If you mispronounce a word, just keep reading.  If you botch a phrase or sentence, stop, take a breath, and go back and re-read as much as necessary to make the reading intelligible – usually one or two words is enough.  

7.      Adjust the microphone to your height, before you begin, by moving the stem of the microphone up or down.  However, be careful and do not move it too close to your mouth.

1.      When reading, never begin “The first reading is …”, “Our response is …”, or “The second reading is …”.  Begin immediately with “A reading from …”.  When leading the responsorial, begin immediately with the response.  The congregation is aware to repeat the response.  

2.      Dress respectfully.  The preference for men is a jacket and tie and for women a skirt and blouse or a dress.  If a lector is carelessly attired, it is a sign of disrespect to the ministry, which you represent, and to the Word, which you proclaim.  

3.      If you cannot serve on your assigned day, you are responsible for obtaining a substitute.  You may switch readings with someone else at another Mass or on another day or you may ask someone to read for you.  

4.      If your Mass preference changes, contact the lector coordinator so future schedules will reflect your preference.  

5.      To allow sufficient time for coordination with other ministries, review, printing, copying, and mailing, schedule preparation begins six weeks before a schedule starts.  If you know that you will be unavailable for specific weekends, contact the lector coordinator sufficiently in advance to avoid scheduling you on those weekends.

1.      Be present and check in with the Mass coordinator in the sacristy no later than fifteen (15) minutes before Mass begins.  As the start of Mass approaches, the coordinator will begin searching for substitutes to fill missing positions.  A late arrival may mean that you have been replaced for that Mass.  

2.      Remember to sit in a location to allow easy access to the altar.  

3.      Before Mass:

a.      Lector One (1)

·         Ensure the lectionary is present on the ambo and the placeholder is set to the correct reading.

·         Ensure the microphone is turned on; the switch is located at the base of the stem and a red light will be visible at the top of the stem when it is powered on.

·         Check with the cantor to confirm that the responsorial will be sung.  If there is no cantor or the cantor will not sing it, prepare the responsorial from a missalette prior to Mass.

·         Review the announcements in the notebook with the welcome message.

·         Join other ministers in the sacristy for a preparatory prayer with the celebrant before Mass begins.

b.      Lector Two (2)

·         Obtain the notebook with the welcome message.  Make sure the current Mass page is in front because the name of the person or group for whom the Mass is being offered varies by Mass.  Review all information prior to Mass.

·         If no deacon is present, ask the celebrant if you should read the Intercessions.  If yes, review the petitions prior to Mass. They are located on the ambo.  If you are unsure of the pronunciation of someone’s name, attempt to find out before Mass begins.

·         Join other ministers in the sacristy for a preparatory prayer with the celebrant before Mass begins.

 4.      Entrance:

a.      Lector Two (2)

·         When the celebrant is ready to begin, carry the notebook to the ambo, open the notebook, and read the welcome message.

·         When there is no music, you must also bring a missalette with you, opened to the Opening Prayer.  Lead the congregation in the Opening Prayer following the welcome.

·         Close the notebook and place it on the shelf under the ambo.

·         Return to your seat.

 5.      Readings :

a.      Lector One (1) – after the opening prayers and everyone is seated

·         Allow a slight pause for the congregation to settle, then stand and proceed to the ambo. If you approach from the center aisle or cross the center of the altar, stop and bow your head before walking up the steps.  If you approach from the choir side, bow your head before walking up the steps to the altar (it is not necessary to walk to the center).

·         Adjust the microphone to your height, open the lectionary, and begin reading.

·         If the responsorial is to be read (instead of sung), remain at the ambo and read the responsorial.

·         Leave the lectionary open on the ambo and return to your seat (unless you are also reading the Second Reading), stopping to bow as before the reading.

b.      Lector Two (2)

·         Allow a slight pause following the responsorial, then stand and proceed to the ambo. If you approach from the center aisle or cross the center of the altar, stop and bow your head before walking up the steps.  If you approach from the choir side, bow your head before walking up the steps to the altar (it is not necessary to walk to the center).

·         Adjust the microphone to your height and begin reading.

·        If the Book of Gospels was carried to the altar by the deacon or celebrant, close the lectionary and place it on the shelf under the ambo (to make room for the Book of Gospels).  Otherwise, leave the lectionary open for the Gospel.  Return to your seat, stopping to bow as before the reading.

 6.      Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful):

a.      Lector Two (2)

·         When a deacon is present, he will read the Intercessions.  If you are asked to read the Intercessions when no deacon is serving, begin walking to the altar during the second half of the Creed.  You should be positioned behind the ambo when the Creed completes.

·         The Intercessions are under the glass on the ambo.  The celebrant will introduce the Prayers of the Faithful following the Creed.  Read each intercession, raising your head as you complete each petition with “We pray to the Lord”.  When finished, remain at the ambo for the closing prayer before returning to your seat.

 7.      Announcements:

a.      Lector One (1)

·         Announcements are read when the Extraordinary Ministers leave the altar following Communion and upon completion of the Communion song (when there is music) or when the Extraordinary Ministers leave the altar (when there is no music).  Note: you may read the announcements while the deacon or priest purifies the Communion vessels.

·        Open the notebook (it should be on the shelf under the ambo from the welcome message).  Read all announcements and return to your seat.

  8.      After Mass:

a.      Lector Two (2)

·         Return to the ambo after Mass. Retrieve the notebook with the welcome message and the Book of Gospels (if it is still on the ambo).  Move the lectionary back to the top of the ambo for the next Mass. Return the notebook and Book of Gospels to the sacristy.