Guidelines for Lectors
St. Joseph Catholic Church
The Effective Lector
The lector proclaims the Word of God to the assembled faith community. Men and women who accept the call to this ministry are presumed to be people of faith, in good standing with the Catholic Church and willing to engage in ongoing formation and education. To make the service of the Word effective, all lectors are expected to be prepared for their ministry. Preparation should be spiritual, scriptural, and practical. Spiritual preparation involves prayer over the text and reflection on its message. Scriptural preparation involves understanding the text. Practical preparation involves mastering difficult words, learning the right pronunciation and practicing the delivery of the text aloud, ideally in the presence of someone who is able to critique delivery.
Punctuality: Immediate preparation is also expected of all lectors. This requires arriving at least ten minutes before the Mass, signing in to the ministry binder in the entry, locating and knowing what the readings should be for that Mass in the Lectionary, arranging the microphone, and making sure that the sound system is properly functioning.
Speak with the music director before Mass to know which parts of the readings will be sung and which recited. Prepare to read both readings, even if one will be assigned to another lector. That way, you’ve prepared to substitute if needed. Normally the Acclamation before the Gospel (Alleluia) and its verse are sung before the Gospel. If not sung it can be recited.
As you approach the ambo, make a simple reverence towards the altar when you reach the top of the steps. Stand erect at the ambo.
THE EYES: As you read, keep your eyes on the text. You should not be looking up at the assembly during the readings. When you finish with “The Word of the Lord”, you may look up.
THE HANDS: Place both your hands on the ambo. If it helps, follow along the text with your finger. If the Responsorial Psalm is recited, you may use your hand to guide the assembly in the response. You should repeat the response with them, since often it is forgotten by the community.
THE VOICE: The lector obviously must be heard to be effective. To be heard by all in the assembly, you must understand the acoustics and the sound system in your church. Adjust the microphone before you begin. You should be able to hear your own amplified voice from the speakers as you speak. If not, make adjustments to microphone position or your volume of voice as necessary.
At the end of your reading, proceed with agility back down the steps to your seat. No need to reverence the altar as you leave. If you are doing both readings, please be seated during the psalm in the chair next to the credence table.