Preparing for your ministry is part of the commitment to be a Lector. You are not “just reading a story” – you are proclaiming the Word of God, YOU are “the Word made flesh”. Lectors receive a workbook that includes the readings for all Sundays and Feast Days. The workbook includes a brief explanation of the readings, suggestions for emphasis, and pronunciation of words. Practice both readings out loud at least twice before you come to mass. New workbooks arrive in November – there will be email/announcements telling you where to pick one up. Readings are also available at http://www.usccb.org/nab/index.shtml but this webpage does not contain the helpful extras.
Come 20 minutes early. Find the Lector Sheet for your mass. There is a different Lector Sheet with (different Mass Intentions) for each mass – make sure you use the one marked with your mass time! Practice the Announcements and Petitions out loud – you can use one of the back offices if you want. There is a pronunciation guide in the sacristy chest top drawer for any words in the scriptures that may be unfamiliar.
Two people are scheduled to Lector for each mass, but they choose which one will be First Lector and Second Lector. The First Lector reads the Greeting and Announcements and the first reading (Old Testament); the Second Lector reads the second reading (New Testament) and the Petitions. Coordinating with the other lector is another reason to come 20 minutes early!
After both Lectors have finished reviewing their readings from the Lectionary, the First Lector places the Lectionary and the Lector Sheet on the ambo then returns to the sacristy. Taking the Book of the Gospels, the Second Lector goes with the priest and servers to the vestibule.
Going by the clock in the sacristy, the First Lector goes out to the ambo at Mass time. Fr Jeff and Fr John will signal when they are ready for you to begin. Ask a visiting priest if you should wait for a signal or start by the clock. After reading the announcements, take a seat in a pew.
To form the entrance procession, the servers go first, then the Lector and the priest goes last. The Lector carries in the Book of Gospels, holding it up so that all can see it. Follow the servers, stopping at the bottom of the steps. Wait for the priest and servers to bow. Keep the Book of the Gospels upright - do not bow from the waist like the priest does although you can bow your head slightly. The procession then enters the sanctuary. Place the Book of Gospels on the altar (in the clear stand) then go to your seat in a pew.
After the Opening Prayer, the First Lector goes to the ambo for the reading. You may want to stop before climbing the stairs and reverence the altar with a slight bow. Bowing before and after entering the sanctuary is common at St. Mary’s, but it is not a “rule”. You may bow if you wish – it is not required. Wait until things quiet down before you begin the first reading. After the reading, return to your seat.
Next comes the Responsorial Psalm, then Second Lector goes to the ambo for the second reading. After the reading, close the lectionary and place it on the little table under the statue of Joseph. Leave the Lector Sheet on the ambo. (If you forget to move the book, don’t run back and move it, but remember next time!!!)
The Alleluia follows the second reading, then the homily, then the Creed. After the Creed, the priest makes a prayerful reference to the Petitions (perhaps something like “Let us bring our prayers before the Lord” or “Let us stand for our petitions”.) The Second Lector goes to the ambo and reads the Petitions. Stand at the ambo while the priest adds the closing prayer at the end of the Petitions, then return to your seat.
After mass, take the Lectionary and the Lector Sheet back to the sacristy. Your Lector Sheet should be placed in the marked drawer so that it is not accidently used at the next mass.
NOTES:
If only one lector comes, place the Book of the Gospels in the stand on the altar before mass instead of carrying it in the entrance procession.
When Mass is extremely crowded, Lectors should make certain that their seat has been reserved – before mass starts ask someone to save a seat for you.