Lectors

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Ministers of the Word serve during Mass by proclaiming the Word of God and leading the Prayer of the Faithful during the Liturgy of the Word. They stay fresh in their ministry through prayer, scripture readings and days of reflection. Lectors are needed for every Mass and other liturgical celebration. Confirmed Catholics over the age of 16 are eligible to participate in this ministry. If you would like to serve the parish in this manner, please contact Susan Symington at 732.942.0348 x. 216.

Guidelines for Lectors

Preparation for Mass
Preparation for serving as a lector begins at home. Advance preparation is very important to the proper interpretation of the Word of God. Further preparation also includes the proper attire for Mass. Please arrive in church early enough to go over the readings or the petitions and to check with the priest and organist for any special instructions. The Lectionary will need to be placed on the pulpit prior to the start of Mass. It is not to be carried in procession. You should not read from the missalette. One thing to check for is to see if there are any announcements to be made at Mass.

Entrance Procession
In the entrance procession the lector walks directly behind the altar servers. During the procession, carry the Book of Gospels in front of you, about chest high. Upon reaching the front of the church, line up along with the servers. The priest will genuflect or bow to the altar; you simply bow your head. Take the Book of Gospels and place it on the altar. You move directly to your place in the sanctuary. If a deacon is present, he will carry the Book of Gospels, you would process only with the worship aid to join in the singing!

Readings
The first reading comes immediately after the Opening Prayer. When everyone sits down, proceed to the pulpit. Do not carry a missalette or anything with you to the pulpit.

Proclaim the readings in the following manner. Begin by reading the introductory declaration exactly as written, such as, "A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians". Take a brief pause and then proclaim the reading itself. Read slowly and distinctly, and be careful to look at the congregation. After another brief pause at the end, conclude the reading by saying, " The Word of the Lord".

If the organist is playing the Responsorial Psalm, return to your chair and join the congregation in singing. If the Psalm is recited, pause momentarily (about 10-15 seconds) at the end of the first reading. Begin by reciting the antiphon, and then pause to allow the congregation to respond. There is no need to introduce it by saying, " The Responsorial Psalm is ..". Before proclaiming the second reading there should be another 10-15 second pause, regardless of whether the Psalm is recited or sung. At the end of the second reading you need to move the Lectionary so the priest/deacon can place the Book of Gospels on the pulpit. The Gospel Acclamation (the Alleluia) is not to be lead by the Lector.

General Intercessions
After the profession of faith, move to the pulpit to read the General Intercessions. The priest will wait until you are in place to begin the opening prayer. You first give the response to the people, and then read each petition. At the end of each petition, pause for the people to respond. When you are finished reading the petitions, turn slightly to face the priest as he will conclude with a prayer. Do not leave the pulpit until he has finished with this prayer.

If you are reading at a Mass at which a Deacon is assisting, he will read the General Intercessions.

Announcements
If there are any announcements, you or the deacon will make them after the Prayer after Communion. Step aside when you finish and wait for the recession.

Recession
When the musician begins the final hymn, line up with the servers. Do not carry the Lectionary or Book of Gospels out with you. You may carry a worship aid to use in singing the hymn as you process out. When the priest bows or genuflects, you also bow or genuflect depending upon the priest's action and then process out in the same manner as you came in.