GUIDELINES FOR LECTORS
As you continue to serve the Lord as lectors, may I take a few minutes to review the highlights of being a good lector?
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- Be EARLY; please be present at least 15 minutes before mass. I would like to say a short prayer before we process out from the sacristy.
- Be PRESENTABLE; this does not mean suits for the men and formals for the women. Also, it does not mean ragged blue jeans, cut-offs and tank tops. Please use good judgment in your appearance when serving as a Liturgical Minister. In short dress appropriately.
- Be RESPONSIBLE; when you are assigned. Check the schedule weekly. If you know you will be gone, please find a substitute minister for your duties.
- Be an ACTIVE PARTICIPANT; participate joyfully. Your Eucharistic Ministry is a role of service and assumes regular Mass attendance, reverence for the Eucharist and a positive attitude in the parish. Your lifestyle should not give scandal to your ministerial role.
- Be OBSERVANT; Please pay attention to see if the assigned ministers are carrying out their “before mass” duties. If they are not, please come forward to see that things are done and to fill in if necessary.
BEFORE MASS
- Make scripture part of your daily, quiet time. This will make you familiar with the word God you proclaim. If possible read out loud, in front of a mirror, in order to help you become comfortable with the proper inflection and enunciation.
- The lector’s workbook is an excellent preparation. Use it to prepare for the reading (whether you lector or not) each weekend.
- Before mass please read over the prayers of the faithful, mark the lectionary and place those on the ambo. At this time, make sure the microphone is pointed at your mouth, about three inches away (not too high or too low).
DURING MASS
- Hold the book of the Gospel slightly above your head or below your chin with the front cover of the book facing the congregation.
- The servers will lead the procession and you will follow them.
- When you reach the steps, stop and wait for the presider.
- Bow your head slightly (not your body) when he does. Then go directly to the alter and place the book in the holder in the center of the alter. Then take your place in the pew.
- You are reading for the congregation. Proclaim in a way that they understand. Do good phrasing, excellent pauses, and good eye contact with the congregation. If you could make every word special, you will be assured your listeners will carry some of those words into their lives.
- Read confidently and loudly, BUT SLOWLY. This is the first time most of your audience are hearing these important words. Give it time to soak in, so to speak.
- Remember to pause at the end of each reading before you look up at the congregation and announce “The Word of the Lord”. This is an important ending to each of the readings. (Do not raise the Lectionary).
- If the responsorial psalm is recited, proclaim in a different torn than the first reading. This is a meditative reading, more of a prayer. Say the response with the people.
- Near the end of the Creed, come to the Ambo, read the general intercessions as soon as the presider completes the introduction to the prayers.
- If there is a special response, begin by identifying the response and then read the first intercession. Say the response with the people.
- After the response following the last intercession, step back from the microphone, but do not return to your pew until after the presider completes the closing prayer. This shows you are praying rather than walking away.
- After the final blessing, we do not carry the book of the gospel out. We bow together before the alter and process down the center aisle.
AFTER MASS
- Bring the Lectionary and the Book of the Gospel to the sacristy before you leave the church.
- Thank you for serving THE FAMILIES IN FAITH PARISH. May the Word continue to enlighten your life and may your proclamation continue to help our parish to grow in love with the Lord and with one another.
