The Ministry of Lector Parish of St. Mark, Shoreham, NY June 2021 Topics

• Serving as Lector and the Spiritual Life • Guidelines for Serving as Lector at Liturgy • Practical Concerns for Lectors “It is necessary that those who exercise the ministry of reader, even if they have not received institution, be truly suited and carefully prepared, so that the faithful develop a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture from listening to the sacred readings.” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n. 46) Serving as Lector and the Spiritual Life

The Ministry of Lector should be part of one’s spiritual/prayer life. Reading at liturgy should not be a daily or weekly event but should be a part of an ongoing meditation on the living word of God. “When they hear the word of God and reflect deeply on it, Christ’s faithful are enabled to respond to it actively with full faith, hope, and charity through prayer and self-giving, and not only during mass but in their entire Christian life” (“Introduction” to Lectionary for Mass, n.48). The Spirituality of the Lector

 Serving as lector is one means of living out our baptism, where we are called to fulfill our right and responsibility to proclaim the gospel. “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt28:19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized. Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged” (Evangelii Gaudium, 120).

 We serve as imitators of the Word Made Flesh. One of Jesus’ first ministerial moments was his going to the synagogue, breaking open the seal of the scriptures, and proclaiming them “with authority.” What a privilege it is to do what Jesus did in proclaiming scripture! Guidelines for Serving as Lector at Liturgy

Guidelines for serving as lector can be found in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and the “Introduction” to the Lectionary for the Mass. Duties of the lector will change based on whether a deacon is present and whether a cantor/psalmist is available to lead the responsorial psalm. The Role of Lector

 Serving as lector is not “public speaking”; it is “public reading,” which is a very different skill.  In fact, although we use the word “reading,” it is actually “proclaiming.”  One can read something publicly and be disinterested, unengaged, and perfunctory. Examples are minutes read at meetings, or public notices, or statutes and regulations.  Proclaiming, however, demands that the reader is engaged, interested, and believes that what is being read is dynamic, important, and meaningful – which is why prayerful preparation is vital. Guidelines for Serving as Lector at Liturgy

Prepare  How many times has this reading from Acts been butchered due to lack of preparation?

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

What goes into preparing?

 If reading on Sunday, go over the readings over the course of the week.  This will help you comprehend the meaning of the reading and will then help you determine the tone of the reading.  To proclaim the scriptures effectively, we need to read them intelligently.  To proclaim intelligently means we understand the context of the reading, which means we understand the purpose of the reading, what comes before and what comes after.  For instance, the epistles of Paul were sent to different groups. Sometimes he is encouraging, sometimes he is chastising, and sometimes he is explaining some aspect of the faith. Because his purpose varies, so will the tone of the passage when read. A good reader will capture the tone of the reading: explaining, awe, warning, uplifting, comforting, dread… all are found in the scriptures. More on preparing

 Going over the Sunday readings during the week also provides an opportunity to incorporate them into your prayer life. A lector prayerfully engaging scripture will convey that sense of spiritual vitality to those hearing the scriptures proclaimed.  Practically, it allows the lector to look up the meaning and/or pronunciation of unfamiliar words.  Preparation allows the reader to be attentive to the rate at which the passage is read, and to work out any awkward structures that may cause a reader to stumble.  If you are a regular weekday reader and know your usual day, you can have the same opportunity to prepare.  Taking the time to prepare also allows the lector to take advantage of the many resources available – many online – to help in understanding the reading and to aid in pronunciation and word meaning.  And preparation breeds confidence. Any public ministry has its challenges and developing confidence as a reader engages those listening. Your voice  The Church is very clear about the importance of readers at mass. It stresses that it is the ministry of the lay faithful to perform this service in living out our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And it calls us to lend each of our unique “voices” to proclaiming.  There is no one “style” for reading, but each lector has his or her own “voice” to lend to proclaiming. Just as we may remember teachers who engaged us and those that put us to sleep, a lector can have the same effect.  What is needed is “balance.” A bland, impersonal reading doesn’t let the word speak: it hides it, and frankly, bores the congregation. A dramatic, over-the- top monologue suffocates the Word because the reader draws all attention to him or herself, and the church is turned into a theatre. A good lector will take this ministry very seriously and find that perfect balance. A Simple Guide to Preparing to Serve as Lector at Sunday Mass 1. Find at least 30 minutes at various times during the week to devote to sacred reading, using the text you are scheduled to proclaim. 2. Choose a place that provides an atmosphere for prayer and reflection. 3. Before approaching the text take a few deep breaths and say a brief prayer. 4. Read the text slowly and, when a word, phrase, or scene strikes your imagination or your heart, pause for a few moments and reflect on the experience. Allow the word, phrase, or image to move you to prayer and deeper reflection. 5. Once you notice your thoughts beginning to wander, return to the text, and continue until the next moment of inspiration. 6. Allow the rhythm of reading and pausing to continue peacefully and unhurriedly. 7. Do not hesitate to read the text through several times. Find a pace that works best for you. 8. When the period for sacred reading comes to an end, close with a brief prayer of thanks-giving for this time of grace and revelation. Guidelines for Serving as Lector at Liturgy • If processing, the lector may carry the Book of the Gospels if there is no deacon present. The Book of the Gospels should be carried with reverence, slightly elevated, and, after the ministers bow in front of the altar, the reader places it on the altar. • The reader(s) should then sit in the congregation (e.g. – with one’s family), and not in or next to the sanctuary. • If there is only one reader, the reader may sit on a chair near the sanctuary between readings (for instance, if the Responsorial Psalm is sung). • After reading, the reader should return to the congregation. • If reading the Prayer of the Faithful, the reader should approach the ambo from the congregation toward the end of the Creed. • When approaching the ambo during mass, do not bow or genuflect to the altar or tabernacle.

Guidelines for Serving as Lector at Liturgy

Lectors begin to read by saying, “A reading from the Book of Exodus” as written in the Lectionary. It is inappropriate to add words such as: “The first reading…” or “Today’s second reading is from…”  If the Responsorial Psalm is recited, lectors should begin the recitation with the antiphon. Announcing “Responsorial Psalm” or “The response to the Psalm is…” is unnecessary and should be avoided.  Lectors may not add or change any words of the texts.  The title of the reading such as “A reading from the Book of Exodus” and the ending, “The Word of the Lord,” should be distinguished from the reading itself. Lectors do this by observing a pause of about three seconds after the former and before the latter phrase. The same tone of proclamation should be maintained for “The Word of The Lord.” While proclaiming, a lector may place his/her hands on the ambo. Anything that might distract from the proclaimed word, such as leaning on the ambo, hands in pockets, or shuffling from one foot to the other should be avoided. Guidelines for Serving as Lector at Liturgy

The Lectionary or the Book of Gospels should not be lifted off the ambo while saying: “The Word of the Lord.” Do not read the words in red before the reading in the Lectionary. Do not give directions. For instance, do not say, “Please stand for the Gospel.” The Acclamation before the Gospel: The “Alleluia” should be sung, with its verse, in total. If not sung, the “Alleluia” may/should be omitted.

Practical Concerns for Lectors Dress: Serving in a ministerial capacity at liturgy demands appropriate dress demonstrating the dignity of the office: modest, and appropriate for the occasion. Arrive early: On Sunday or a Holy Day, arrive at least 15 minutes before mass to scope out whether a deacon is present, to read the intercessions in advance, to make sure the lectionary is set up, to make sure the sound system is on, and to get any special instructions from the Presider. Note: Sometimes a reader may be unfamiliar with the pronunciation of a name that appears in the intercessions. A good resource is to check with the Presider about name pronunciation if necessary. If reading on a weekday, arrive with enough time to check the lectionary, look over the reading(s), and make sure the sound system is on. Posture: A dignified posture tells the congregation that the reader is performing a formal, meaningful ministry. Eye contact with the congregation is beneficial; it suggest relationship/connection. However, if this will “throw you off,” better to do what is comfortable. Gait: Walking should be unhurried; just like reading, it should be determined and measured. The lector should never do anything to draw attention to her/himself at any time.

But sometimes… Although we may make every effort to prepare, sometimes things go wrong and sometimes we make mistakes. • Sometimes a microphone may fail. Continue reading as best you can with a louder voice as appropriate. • On occasion, there may be a significant distraction, such as a congregant becoming demonstrably ill or a table or flower arrangement falling over. If the distraction is significant (as opposed to a child crying) stop, wait and resume as soon as possible. • If you mispronounce something or if you lose your place, correct it if not awkward, but do not apologize verbally in doing so. • Be gentle with yourself. Most readers, at some point, say, “A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippines,” even though we know of no relationship Paul had with Southeast Asia. THANK YOU!

 The material in this presentation was taken from the General Instruction for the Roman Missal, the “Introduction” to the Lectionary for Mass, Evangelii Gaudium, the USCCB website, Documents of Vatican II, and scholarly articles on the ministry of lector.  Thanks also to Msgr. Francis Schneider, Pastor, and John O’Hare of St. John the Baptist Parish for their guidance.

Dr. Jeff Pedersen, Ed. D. Parish Organizational Associate