Lector Preparation Guidelines

Lector Preparation/Guidelines

1. Beginning of the week before…

• Locate the Scriptures you are to proclaim in the Lector's Workbook
• Read the accompanying commentary in the Workbook to help you understand the meaning and context of the passages you will be proclaiming
• Integrate those Scriptures as part of your daily prayers for the week and contemplate what the Lord is trying to say to us through those passages. Is He seeking to challenge us? Is He seeking to console us? Is He seeking to instruct us? Is He seeking to light a fire in us? Remember: a good proclaimer of the Word is always first a good hearer of the Word!

2. During the week…

• Practice the reading to become thoroughly familiar with the wording and meaning of the text – its readability, but also the characters in the passage, if there are many who speak, and the thought processes involved in the passage especially if it is a discourse.
• Practice the reading out loud at full voice. Seriously consider using a tape-recorder to play back your proclamation for yourself or a family member to hear. Give careful consideration to whether what you are hearing holds your attention and clearly enough communicates the meaning of the text.
• Focus on:
  • a full range of volume ;
  • projecting your voice (PROCLAIM the WORD!);
  • making appropriate and sufficient eye contact (engage the assembly);
  • careful and correct pronunciation of unfamiliar words, names, and places so that it is clear that you understand what you are proclaiming;
  • effectively communicating the emotional content and the thought content of the passage;
  • maintaining an appropriately varied rate and pace of speech;

Make sure your practice time is prayerful time, for the text entrusted to you is God's Word and it's saving power will be channeled through you for the assembly to whom you minister in proclamation.

3. At the Celebration of Eucharist…

• Arrive at the vesting sacristy adjacent to the gathering space of Church at 10-15 minutes before Mass begins
• Make sure that the Lectionary is at the Ambo and is opened to the proper place
• Make sure that the General Intercessions and Announcements are on the shelf of the Ambo
• Make sure that the stand for the Book of the Gospels is on the Altar
• Double-check with the Priest-Celebrant that the passages you prepared to proclaim are those being used for the celebration (particularly on occasions when there are multiple options for the readings or when there is an option of a long or short form for a reading.)
• Review the passages again as proximate preparation for your ministry
• Review the General Intercessions and the Announcements, being certain of the pronunciation of names.

4. The Ritual Order of Mass…

• In the entrance procession (if the Deacon is not present), the Lector carries the Book of the Gospels and follows the Cross bearer at a distance of two or three pews. The Book of the Gospels (with its front cover facing away from you) should be held aloft and in front of you as you walk, with its lower edge just above your eye-level.
• When you reach the Sanctuary, ascend the stairs without bowing. The Book of the Gospels which you carry is itself symbolic of Christ the Living Word and remains the focus of your attention until it is placed in its stand on the Altar.
• Enthrone the Book of the Gospels in its stand on the Altar from the back side of the Altar and then proceed to your seat.
• At the conclusion of the Opening Prayer, rise from your seat and move to the Ambo. When you reach the Sanctuary, pause before ascending the steps and bow slightly to the Altar. Then make your way to the Ambo.
• At the conclusion of the reading and after a slight pause, announce "The Word of the Lord" while looking at the assembly. Return to your seat.
• The Cantor will come to the Ambo at that time to proclaim the Psalm in song.
• When the Cantor has left the Sanctuary, rise again and return to the Ambo for the second reading, bowing again to the Altar before ascending the Sanctuary steps.
• At the conclusion of the second reading, again after a slight pause, announce: “The Word of the Lord” while looking at the assembly.
• Place the Lectionary on the shelf of the Ambo and return to your seat.
• (if the Deacon is not present) Near the conclusion of the Creed (i.e., …"We believe in the Holy Spirit…"), make your way once again to the Ambo as before for the General Intercessions
• Allow for a slight pause after announcing each intention before saying: "We pray to the Lord…"
• Remain at the Ambo until the Priest-Celebrant concludes the General Intercessions with prayer. Then return to your seat.
• When the assembly rises for the Prayer After Communion, make your way again, as before, to the Ambo for the Final Announcements. At the conclusion of the announcements, return to your seat for the recessional hymn.

5. Exceptions…

• It is always possible that there may be variations in the celebration on various occasions, either because of changes in liturgical season or for other special reasons. It would be a wise rule of thumb to ask the Priest-Celebrant before Mass begins whether there is anything out of the ordinary to be taken into consideration for that celebration – e.g., if there is someone scheduled to address the assembly after Communion on that Sunday for any given reason. In that case, the Announcements would be read after that person(s) have spoken.
• When the Liturgy of the Word for Children is taking place at the celebration, the Lector should wait until the Catechist has been presented with the Children's Lectionary and the children have departed the assembly before making your way to the Ambo.
• If you are scheduled for the Ministry of Lector on Palm Sunday or at the Liturgies of the Sacred Triduum, you will receive the readings several weeks ahead of time and will be informed of a liturgical rehearsal at which matters specific to those more complex liturgies will be addressed.
• Again, if you are ever in doubt about any aspect of your ministry on a given day, do not be inhibited about asking the Priest-Celebrant.
• Please be mindful, too, that the moments of preparation prior to every liturgy can be hectic for the Priest-Celebrant – coordinating directions which may need to be given to Altar Servers, getting vested, preparing the wine and hosts for the celebration, attending to the questions of others, responding to last-minute snafus – all while trying to develop a prayerful presence of mind and collect one's thoughts in preparation for preaching. If the Priest-Celebrant isn't immediately attentive to your concerns, please be patient!

Most of all, if you make a mistake, correct it if possible and move on calmly and gracefully. We all stumble in human communication from time to time. Be patient with yourself. Persevere!

Thank You for Serving!