an orientation program-me for lectors

1. AN ORIENTATION ON THE MINISTRY
OF THE LECTOR IN THE
ONE HOLY ROMAN CATHOLIC
CHURCH
AT
ST. BAKHITA CATHOLIC CHURCH.

2. HISTORY OF THE MINISTRY OF LECTOR.
From the earliest times, the church had a number of minor orders which
were responsible for performing various ministerial functions in the liturgy.
These orders (porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte) were ordained to carry
out a specific ministerial function in the mass.
Over the course of time, these minor orders came to be used only as
stages of preparation of candidates for the priesthood, and so most
parishes would not have ordained lectors.
In 1972, Pope Paul VI suppressed the minor orders, and replaced them
with two ministries: Lector and Acolyte.
Clearly the Church sees the work of the reader as a vocation and a
ministry, not simply a job or function. The readers of the parish do not
form another parish society. Rather they are called in a special way to
serve the entire parish community.

3. WHO IS A LECTOR AND WHO CAN BE A LECTOR?
 A lector is the person who proclaims the first or second reading at Mass. This person also may
lead the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass.
 The General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) provides the following:
“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.” (GIRM, 101)
 The two requirements for lectors listed in the General Instruction are that they be
 “TRULY SUITED” TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION
 SHOULD RECEIVE “CAREFUL” PREPARATION.”

4. WHAT CONSTITUTE ‘TRULY SUITED” TO PERFORM THIS
FUNCTION
THE CASE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA
 A fully initiated Catholic living in communion with the Church.
Thus, a lector should have received both First Holy
Communion and Confirmation
 Should not be living in an invalid marriage or any other state
of grave sin.
 Have the necessary talents to serve as a lector. Thus,
individuals who are not able to proclaim the readings in a
clear manner that expresses the dignity of scripture may not
be suited for this service in the church.

5. THE CASE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ANCHORAGE
 The pastor, or his delegate, determines the needs
and the persons best qualified to serve the parish
in the ministry of lector.
 This ministry is open to women and men aged
sixteen and above, who have been fully initiated.
They should be practicing Catholics, in good
standing with the parish community and possess a
love of the Scriptures.

6. CAREFUL PREPARATION
 Instruction in Liturgy of theWord
 Scriptural spirituality for Ministers of theWord
 Proclaiming the Word: practicum and
formation in public speaking

7. ROLE OF THE LECTOR IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE MASS
 Proclaim the readings from Scripture, with the
exception of the gospel.
 May sing or read the psalm between the readings
in the absence of a Psalmist.
 May also announce the intentions for the general
intercessions.
 May carry the BOOK OF THE GOSPELS not
lectionary in the absence of a deacon.

8. PREPARING TO READ AT MASS
PERSONAL PREPARATIONS AT HOME
 Develop a knowledge and familiarity with the text of
scripture
 Learn the vocal techniques of proclamation; intonation,
pitch, pacing.
 On the day of reading pay attention to the dress you wear
for Mass. This means that the lector's dress should not
distract from the reading of the Word of God, but should
rather express the dignity of the Word, and the importance
that the lector assigns to his service.

9. IN THE CHURCH
 Ensure you come to church in time; 15 minutes before
the Mass at least. This will help you go over the
readings and check the correct markings in the
lectionary. If possible keep the page number in mind.
 Coming in time will also help confer with the Presider
which reading he will prefer. Sometimes we have
shorter and longer of the readings.

10. DURING THE PROCESSION
 If it is the practise that lectors process with the priest and ministers then it is
appropriate that they are well vested in their robes preferably.
 One of the lectors may carry the Book of the Gospels with the permission of the
priest. 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. Then the lector takes his own place in the sanctuary with the
other ministers. (GIRM 194,195)

11. LITURY OF THE WORD APPROACHING THE AMBO
 If the lector is not seated in the sanctuary, then he
makes a profound bow to the altar before he enters
it. If the lector is already in the sanctuary, he
proceeds directly to the ambo. (cf. GIRM 274)
 The lector should walk reverently towards the altar.

12. READING
The beginning of the reading should not be rushed. At the ambo or lectern wait for a
moment so that everyone can get settled in place.
 After the community is seated and quiet, the reader looks at the community and then
begins. Eye contact is important throughout, but especially at the beginning of the
reading and at the end.
 Announce the Scripture reading simply as it is stated in the reading, i.e. “A reading
from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah,”
 Do not say something like, “the first (second) reading is…”
 Also, do not read the small red print at the start of a reading.
 Read audibly and slowly. A speaking style on the part of the readers that is
audible, clear, and intelligent is the first means of transmitting the word of God
properly to the assembly.(General Introduction to the Lectionary, 14)
 After the reading, again pause slightly before saying “The Word of the Lord.”
Avoid ‘This is theWord of the Lord.’

13. OTHER SPECIAL ROLES WHICH THE LECTOR MAY PERFORM
THE PSALMIST
 “It is preferable that the responsorial Psalm be sung, if there is no psalmist, the lector
may also proclaim the responsorial Psalm
 Obviously, the reader should only be called upon to sing the responsorial Psalm
 If there is no cantor,
 If he or she has a good singing voice. Otherwise, the psalm is recited
THE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
 When no deacon is present, the lector, after the introduction by the priest, may
announce from the ambo the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful. (GIRM,197)
THE ENTRANCEAND COMMUNION ANTIPHONS
 If there is no singing at the Entrance or at Communion and the antiphons in the Missal
are not recited by the faithful, the lector may read them at the appropriate time.
(GIRM, 198)

14. OTHER SPECIAL ROLES WHICH THE LECTOR MAY PERFORM. CONTD
THE COMMENTATOR
 Another function sometimes exercised by lectors is the role of the commentator.
SINGING THE READINGS
 The readings, taken from the approved editions, may be sung in a way suited to different
languages. This singing, however, must serve to stress the words, not obscure them. On
occasions when the readings are in Latin, they are to be sung to the melody given in the
Ordo cantus Missae. (General Introduction to the Lectionary, 14).
 At the conclusion of the other readings, ... the word of the Lord may be sung, even by
someone other than the reader; all respond with the acclamation. In this way the gathered
assembly pays reverence to the word of God it has listened to in faith and gratitude.
(General Introduction to the Lectionary, 18)

15. THE MOST FAMILIAR BOOK OF THE LECTOR- THE LECTIONARY
 The Lectionary is two types, one for Sundays and Feast Days and one forWeekdays.
 The Sunday cycle is divided into three years; A, B, and C.
 Masses for Sundays and Major Feast Days:
 First Reading - from the Old Testament; except from Acts of the Apostles during
Easter Season
 Responsorial Psalm - mostly from the Book of Psalms; sometimes other biblical
"Canticles"
 Second Reading - mostly from the Letters of Paul, but sometimes other NT Epistles
and the Book of Revelation
 Verse before the Gospel - usually a direct biblical quotation, but sometimes adapted
from a biblical text
 Gospel - Year A: Matthew; Year B: Mark mostly; Year C: Luke; (John is used mostly
in Lent & Easter)

16. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES TO EFFECTIVE READING
GETTING TO KNOW THE READINGS
ORDO.
1. This is the annual, official book which instructs the priest on what Mass,
what feast is celebrated.
2. Don’t read without checking from the Ordo as to what the correct reading is.
OPENING TO THE RIGHT READING
 Get to know the cycle proper to the year.
 Be familiar with the liturgical seasons.
 The readings are arranged in order, according to the seasons.

17. WALKING
Walk reverently. Do not run or appear hurried. One can
usually tell how a reading will go based on the lector's
approach to the ambo (lectern). Those who race to the
ambo will generally race through their reading.
Putting the hands together is recommended.
During procession the BOOK of the Gospels should be
elevated above the head.

18. BODY POSTURE
 As much as possible hold your body straight but not rigid.
 Don’t lean on the ambo or lectern
 Stand on two feet, not one. Place your hands lightly on the lectionary or
ambo or you may hold the book if you feel comfortable doing so.
 Do not put your hands anywhere other than on the lectionary or ambo or
comfortably at your sides.
 Do not put your hands in your pockets, on your hips, behind your back
or in folded arms.
 Above all, do not use your hands at any point during the reading. It is
theatrical, inappropriate and will annoy your listeners.

19. EYE CONTACT
 Eye contact is the most important part of body language
 Eye contact is made possible when the lector is thoroughly familiar with the reading and
doesn't need to see the lectionary for every word
 Eye contact helps you to keep the correct spacing and pauses
Some of the best times to look directly at your assembly:
 When you first get to the ambo
 When you proclaim the announcement line i.e. where the reading is taken from-
 At the end of a sentence
 During key words or phrases
When changing gears (e.g. changes in mood, time, place, character, relationship, etc.)
 Just before the closing line (i.e. "The Word of the Lord" or "The Gospel of the Lord")
 During and after the closing line.

20. PAUSES
 How much time one takes between thoughts or phrases.
SOME SUGGESTED TIMES TO PAUSE
To allow listeners to absorb an important point
To provide space between multiple thoughts in the same sentence
To take a breath
Before and after quotes to offset the quote from the character or
narrator
After the announcement line "A Reading from." -This will give the
assembly a chance to place the prophet, era or Biblical location in their
minds and ready them to actively listen to the passage.
Before the closing line, "The Word of the Lord"

21. RATE
 Rate refers to how quickly or slowly one speaks.
 The best rate for a particular passage depends on
the content of the reading but as a general rule,
lectors should proclaim at one-half their normal
speaking voice.

22. VOICE AND DICTION
BREATHING
 Good, strong breathing is necessary if you are going to read smoothly and powerfully
 Take some deep breathes before you begin to read. This helps you to relax and have a
good supply of air
Some exercise.
 Say “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
 Put your hand four inches from your mouth and say “All’s well that ends well.” You
should not feel any breath except when you say “w” and “that”
 Take a full breath, without straining, and count from one to twenty on that breath, without
rushing.
 Take a breath, relax, and then whisper NO. Take another breath and quietly say NO.
Notice the low pitch and the relaxed quality of the tone. Do the same with YES, HOW,
OH, WHO, ONE, TWO.

23. PRONUNCIATION
 Always refer to a dictionary for the correct pronunciation
 Try pronouncing WHERE and WEAR
 WITCH and WHICH, WATT and WHAT, WAIL and WHALE.
ENUNCIATION
 Enunciation means that the speaker clearly articulates all the sounds that make
up the word.
 A common mistake in enunciation is to drop the "d" or "t" sound from the end
of a word. This is a dangerous practice in proclaiming because very often, it is
precisely the inclusion of the "d" or "t" that separates one word from another.
 For instance, "mend" has a totally different meaning than "men". Likewise
"sent" without a clearly enunciated "t" might be interpreted by listeners as
"sin".

24. EMPHASIS OR STRESSES
Certain key words have to be stressed in the readings.
 Pronounce the exclamation OH in such a way that it
suggests each of the following meanings.
a) great surprise
b) indifference
c) disappointment
d) disgust
e) pleasant surprise

25. VOLUME
 The ability to project ones voice to the hearing of the listeners is crucial
 Sometimes, the problem is equipment-related but more often than not, it
has to do with the lector's ability to project, voice quality and/or their use
of the microphone.
 Be familiar with the church or the "space" in which you are reading. In a
large church where there is a good distance between the reader and the
last pew (or between the loudspeakers and the farthest person), the reader
may need to speak more slowly to allow the words to be more easily
heard.
 Learn the basic usage of the microphone. How to turn it on and off.