Lectors

CONTACT: Jack McArtney ♦ (908) 696-1829 ♦ jmca@verizon.net

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Lectors are typically part of a six or seven-person group that faces the congregation during the Mass, including the Celebrant, a Deacon, Altar Servers and the Cantor. Lectors proclaim the Word of God, mediating an encounter with God by making the text come alive for the listeners. Their function in the Liturgy reflects that of the Prophets, Evangelists and Epistle writers through whom God speaks to us in the Scriptures. Proclaiming the Word of God involves an active sharing of faith between the Lector and the congregation, with the Lector in the dual role of teacher and disciple. Accordingly, the Lector spends time preparing for his or her scheduled readings by studying commentaries, pronunciation guidelines, background on the Scripture writer and the historical and cultural setting from which the particular passage arrived.  The verses that precede and follow a given reading as well as the other passages selected for the Liturgy provide context and perspective to make the assigned reading more meaningful.

 

In addition to reading the Scripture, Lectors greet the congregation, lead the Prayer of the Faithful and read the announcements.

 

Lectors read at all Masses on Sundays (and Vigils), Holy Days and weekdays, and are assigned to read regularly at a specific Mass, except Holiday and Holy Day Masses, for which schedules vary. Training is scheduled as new Lectors join the Ministry, and occasional seminars or refresher instruction opportunities are presented, usually once a year.

 

Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvelously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit may be produced in them. — Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 901