Instructions for Readers

The Reader is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the gospel reading. He (she) may also announce the intentions for the general intercessions and, in the absence of the psalmist, sing, or read the psalm between the readings. In the celebration of the Eucharist, the reader has special duties which he (she) alone ought to perform, even though ordained ministers may be present.

(#99 General Instruction to the Roman Missal 2000)

Scripture is one of the greatest gifts we have received as a Christian community. We are grateful to you who have chosen to minister by proclamation, allowing yourself to be a vessel through which the Word is shared. The listener's understanding of the passage is directly related to the meaning, mood and feeling of the scriptural selection which you convey through your voice and physical bearing. You must understand the reading in order for your listeners to understand it. Remember, your listeners are not reading along with you. We must hear you clearly and distinctly.

Before Mass Begins

  1. Arrive in the sacristy 15 minutes before mass is scheduled to begin. Let the liturgy coordinator know that you are here.
  2. Familiarize yourself with all your materials:
    • The Word of God and our prayer is most important. Familiarize yourself with The Lectionary. We have three cycles of readings: Cycle A,B,C. These are arranged according to gospels. In The Gospel Book, gospels in Cycle A are taken from Matthew, B from Mark and C from Luke.
    • In reading the scriptures during the week, it may help to know that many of our first readings are connected in some way. The second readings however, were not planned to connect to the first or the gospel though some of them do.
    • Included in one binder are: The welcome sheet, the General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful) and the Listing of the Sick.
    • Persons' names are important. Make sure you know how to pronounce all names correctly. Someone in the sacristy may know. Some are spelled phonetically in the listing.
    • Names and places in scripture need to be pronounced correctly. On the sacristy table is a booklet on pronunciation of scriptural language.
    • Pauses and phrasing are important in all your reading. Because we all have unique writing styles, review the General Intercessions with this in mind.
    • Inclusive language is important. The bishops have chosen the New American translation of the scriptures for the U.S. Some of the language has been changed to be inclusive of men and women.
    • Amplification is important. Remember to check to see if the microphone light is on as you leave the sacristy. No microphone does the entire job for you. Always project to the people in the last rows of the assembly. They must hear also.

Welcome of the Assembly

  • Announce the Feast or Sunday.
  • List the Ministers as indicated.
  • Invite the assembly to welcome one another, using eye contact and a welcoming presence yourself.
  • Leave the Lectionary on the ambo, open to the readings of the day, and the General Intercession book underneath it, in the shelf.

Opening Procession

  1. The order of the procession is as follows: (#120, GIRM)
    • Servers with incense, if used
    • Server with processional cross
    • Servers with candles
    • Other servers and ministers
    • Reader with the Book of the Gospels
    • Presider
  2. Please join in song as a leader in assembly participation.
  3. At the steps of the sanctuary: move to the right of the Presider and bow with him and the other ministers.
  4. After the bow, the reader with the Book of the Gospels places it in its stand on the altar.
  5. Stand at your chair (the one closest to the ambo) for the remainder of the Introductory Rites (penitential rite, opening prayer), focusing your attention on these rites.

Liturgy of the Word

  1. The First Reading
    • When you are certain people are attentive, announce the reading just as it is printed in the Lectionary ("A reading from the..."); pause a second, establish eye contact, and allow people's attention to shift to you.
    • (Note: Do not read anything in italics; i.e. the chapter and verse numbers or the one line summary of the reading).
    • Read slowly. Remember, to you it will feel slower than it is. You must allow for the microphone lag and for comprehension. This is the assembly's one and only hearing of the reading. Make your reading inspiring and prayerful.
    • End the reading with a pause and then the phrase: "The Word of the Lord."
    • Return to your place in the sanctuary or in the assembly.
  2. The Psalm
    • The nature of psalmody is that it is sung; therefore, unless impossible, the psalm at Sunday Liturgy is to be sung by a cantor (psalmist).
    • We are still moving toward the psalm being sung at the ambo since it is one of the scriptures, but cantors are shy about this and with guitar it is awkward.
  3. The Second Reading
    • Refer to the same directions and reminders as above.
    • After you have proclaimed the second reading, close the Lectionary and place it in the slot in the ambo.
    • Open the Gospel Book for the Presider.
    • Return to your seat, remain standing, and sing the Alleluia.
    • The Liturgy will continue with the Gospel, homily and Creed.
  4. The RCIA Dismissal of Catechumens
    • The Reader should be ready at any mass where there is a Dismissal, to offer the Lectionary to the Presider who will present it to the Catechist.
  5. The General Intercessions
    • The Presider will leave the Book of the Gospels open at the ambo.
    • Be ready to read the intercession directly after the homily, since in some instances the Creed is omitted.
    • The Presider will open the intercessions with an introductory statement. Please be attentive to him as he is speaking.
    • Present the people's response clearly to them.
    • Read each petition clearly in order that the assembly knows what they are praying for.
    • The listing of the sick is a litany of names repeated sometimes over a long period of time. If so, these parishioners are chronically ill and in need of the powerful prayer of the Assembly. These names are checked periodically and updated. Again, though some may feel the list is lengthy, you need not apologize by your tone for this important prayer we have decided to take up as an assembly.
    • Remain at the ambo until the Presider has finished the intercessions with the Concluding Prayer, then return to your place. (Some readers have wished to return at this time to sit with their families which is fine. Simply join the closing procession when it is time.)

Liturgy of the Eucharist

  1. The Eucharistic Prayer: stand at your chair.
  2. The Lord's Prayer: join hands as the Presider directs.
  3. The Sign of Peace: share with those around you.
  4. Communion: receive with the Eucharistic Ministers, then remain standing if possible. Our custom is that we stand until the last person in the assembly receives, since we are all members of One Body.
  5. Sing.

Concluding Rites

  1. When the Presider begins, move with the other ministers to the base of the sanctuary and bow when the Presider indicates.
  2. The Lectionary, Book of the Gospels, and General Intercession book are not processed out.
  3. Follow the same order of procession: you are, again, just before the Presider.
  4. Make sure all the materials you used are ready for the next Reader.

Other Comments

  1. Assignments of Readers are done on a 4-6 month basis. You will be sent that schedule and reminded by a note and your name in the bulletin.
  2. Please try to get your own replacement and call the coordinator early in the week. A list of readers always comes in the mailing.
  3. You can purchase a Celebrating Liturgy book of Sunday Readings. The more you prepare the readings of each Sunday (also listed in the bulletin) the more Scripture will become a part of your life!
  4. In some of our liturgical seasons, our introductory rites may be slightly different. If we are approaching a season, come prepared for some changes. It is our hope that these are mailed to you prior.
  5. Please volunteer your ministry for holy days, special occasions and of course, the Triduum.
  6. In preparing the readings, it is helpful to know:
    • The Church's Sunday Lectionary is based on a three year cycle, ABC, beginning each year on the First Sunday of Advent (e.g. Advent 2007 cycle A, Advent 2008 cycle B, Advent 2009 cycle C).
    • The First Reading in the Lectionary and the Gospel Reading are related; the Second Reading is often not related.
    • The Church's weekday Lectionary alternates Year I ('07)and Year II ('08).
    • You can obtain the readings from the Internet at usccb.org.
  7. You are asked to renew your ministry on a yearly basis - usually at the Ministry Fair or a mass prior to Lent. We will no longer renew ministers in the fall.
  8. Your ministry will be enhanced by retreats, sharing of the Word, presentations on scripture and skill building in presentation and reading. I would like to provide anything to help you in your ministry.

Enjoy your ministry! May the Word find a rich harvest in your life! (Mary Ann LaPlante 6-06)