<p> GUIDELINES FOR LECTOR/LITURGY OF THE WORD Thursday, Friday and Saturday Eucharistic Liturgies</p><p>• The Readings of the Day MUST be used.</p><p>• The Liturgy of the Word may not include any substitutions or changes of scripture. While culturally or otherwise significant readings may be included as meditations at various points in the liturgy, only the prescribed scripture is to be proclaimed during the Liturgy of the Word. The ambo may only be used for proclamation of the Word.</p><p>• Please make sure that the lectionary and/or Book of the Gospels is properly set and marked, and that the lector, deacon or presider, are thoroughly familiar with the markings.</p><p>• The lectionary and/or Book of the Gospels will be provided by the Sacristy.</p><p>For Weekday Liturgy: • It is normative to use a Lectionary for the proclamation of all scripture. As Book of the Gospels is not available for weekday liturgy, it is normative for it not to be used. (not processed in entrance procession.) However, in special instances, there can be a Gospel procession during a weekday liturgy - there has to be a valid reason.</p><p>The Liturgy of the Word: • Transition time: As the people are seated after the Opening Prayer, they begin the transition from gathering to readying themselves to hear God’s Word. Give them time to make this transition, and to focus upon what is coming. Some ideas: let the lector take time to walk from the midst of the assembly, candles around the ambo might be lit at this time, giving a visual cue for the shift of focus. In any case, the lector should look out over the people and wait for them to quiet before beginning.</p><p>• Pause between the introductory line and the beginning of the proclamation of the scripture. Pause again between the end of the scriptures and the closing line. These pauses need be only about 3-5 seconds, just enough to signify the assembly the change in the nature of what is being said.</p><p>• Silence of 30-60 seconds should be observed after the reading and before the psalm. Depending upon how the psalm is musically connected to the Gospel Acclamation, you may want to include a significant silence after the psalm as well. During silent reflection, it is very important that all ministers, including music ministers, lead the assembly into quiet prayer by their own demeanor, and by remaining physically still.</p><p>• The Psalm is Scripture, and is to be sung from the ambo.</p><p>• Though it is not normative for a Gospel procession during a weekday liturgy, there are special cases where a Gospel Procession can occur. In which, the Book of the Gospels is processed from the altar, preferably through the assembly, and to the ambo, where it is proclaimed. The Gospel Acclamation music should accompany the procession - neither ending before the deacon has reached the ambo, or continuing on at length afterward. Culturally appropriate honorifics may again be used in this procession, which gives reverence to the Gospel and its central place in the lives of Christians.</p><p>• The intercessions should be grounded in the scriptures and current needs, and reflect the fourfold scheme of (1) prayer for the needs of the Church; (2) prayer for the needs of the world; (3) prayer for those in special need, such as the poor, the ill, the oppressed, the dead; and (4) prayer for the needs of this particular community now gathered. These prayers should be led by an intercessor other than the lector. Preferably, these prayers are led from the ambo. The intercessions should be contained in a suitable book or binder, but not in the lectionary.</p><p>Closing Rite: • The lectionary and/or Book of the Gospels are left on the ambo and are not processed out. It is not necessary for the lectors to be part of the closing procession.</p><p>RECongress – Revised: May 3, 2018</p>