READERS PASTORAL GUIDELINES I. INTRODUCTION The Ministry of Reader in our diocese has made a positive contribution to the proclamation of God s Word in the celebration of Eucharist, sacraments, and other liturgies. The following guidelines are presented with the intention that each parish continually improve the quality of proclamation in the midst of God s people in the Antigonish Diocese. II. SELECTION A. The persons (male and female) chosen should be mature Roman Catholics, Persons of character who have by their actual Christian living shown that they have taken their faith seriously. 1. Nominations might be made by the entire parish community, or Parish Council. 2. Persons might volunteer to be nominated. 3. Nominations may be reviewed by the Liturgy Committee, or Parish Team, knowing that the final decision rests with the pastor. a. Readers should possess a certain poise and ease in standing before a group and reading in public. b. They should possess a love of Scripture and a profound faith in the presence of God in the Word. c. They should have the ability to proclaim the Word. d. They should not be serving in another ministry B. A personal interview (by the pastor) with each individual is necessary to provide an opportunity to get to know the people on a deeper level and to give them a chance to express their faith and love of Scripture.
III FORMATION A. Formation for ministry takes time and is an opportunity for Adult Faith Development. B. A program of three sessions should be required of all entering into any liturgical ministry. 1. These sessions might be given by the pastor, some member of the parish Team (catechetical director, or pastoral assistant), a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, diocesan liturgical resource person, or some member of the parish who has served in the ministry for a number of years. 2. Resources for these sessions are available from the Office of Worship (Diocesan Pastoral Centre, 539-6188, ext. 237) C. The following topics should be covered 1. Baptism, the call of all Christians to enter into a relationship with God. and with the Church. 2. Ministry, the call of all Christians to join with Jesus in his mission to bring all humankind into one People under the Father s love. 3. Praying Scripture should be the primary mode of preparation for the Reader. 4. Introduction to Scripture can be a basic session giving an overview of Scripture. Readers should be encouraged to continue their formation by taking courses which may be offered in their areas on Scripture. 5. Practice proclaiming the Word in the presence of others. Learning techniques of operating and adjusting the microphone, projecting the voice, and reading with understanding.
IV RECOGNIZING A. After the completion of formation, persons are called forth in a Community celebration (Sunday Eucharist, weekly Eucharist, or Liturgy of the Word outside Eucharist) to be recognized as Readers. B. The recommended period in this ministry is four years. Renewal of this period of commitment may be made upon mutual agreement of the individual and the parish community. 1. This enables individuals to terminate their ministry with comfort when personal reasons may so dictate. 2. It opens the door for others to participate in this ministry. 3. People tend to be more faithful when duties accepted will be completed within a specific time frame. 4. This gives people an opportunity to offer their services in other ministries (a person should serve in only one ministry at a time). 5. People may be given an opportunity to return to the ministry after a certain amount of time (2 years) away from it (this may be necessary in rural where the number of families are limited). 6. Since this ministry requires a great deal of growth and skill on the part of the individual, ongoing formation (at least once a year) should also be provided. C. The pastor officiates at the recognition service. A Rite of Recognition for Readers can be found in: 1. Celebrations of Installation and Recognition CCCB Publication Service, 2005
V. CLOTHING Readers should be dressed in a way that expresses the respect and dignity proper to the Liturgy of the Word within the Eucharist and the Eucharistic Assembly. There is no distinctive garb for Readers. VI. PREPARATION A. Prepare for Sunday by reading and reflecting prayerfully on the Scriptures at home. 1. Every day is best, but at least three times during the week. 2. Find the passage in the Bible so that the section before and after the passage may be read, to get a deeper sense of the meaning. 3. Study editions of the Sunday Lectionary (available at the Emmaus Center Resource Room) are superior to missalettes for preparation since the readings are printed as they appear in the Lectionary. B. Read the passage several times aloud to others. 1. Ask if they clearly understand what you are reading. 2. Share with them what it means to you and have them share their understanding. C. Arrange to stop by the Church and read into the mike. 1. Check the volume number on the microphone so in case it squeals, you will know how to turn it down. 2. Never tap the mike to see if it is on (this is very distracting for those who are preparing to listen to the Word of God). 4. Reading in an empty Church is different than reading in a Church full of people. (The bodies and clothing absorb some of the sound). VII. PROCEDURE AT EUCHARIST A. Before the Eucharist 1. Readers should arrive at least fifteen minutes before the Liturgy begins and make their presence known to the presider and/or
liturgical co-ordinator. 2. Make sure the microphone on and adjusted to your height. 3. Find the passage in the Lectionary and note the page and number. Mark the page with the ribbon. Place the Lectionary at the ambo, open to number and page for the day. B. Entrance Procession 1. Only the Book of Gospels is carried in procession. The Deacon carries the Book of Gospels. In the absence of a Deacon, a Reader carries the Book of Gospels and it is placed flat, on the center of the altar. 2. Readers should be seated in the assembly, close to the ambo. C. Liturgy of the Word 1. Make sure the presider has completed the Collect and is seated before approaching the ambo for the Reading. a. Walk slowly and reverently to the ambo. b. Always read the Word of God from the Lectionary and never from a missalette. (Don t even carry the missalette to the ambo). c. Read only the text written in black (i.e. There is no need to read: the First Reading is or the Responsorial Psalm is ) d. Each Reading is to be proclaimed by one Reader. The only readings to be shared are the Passion Narratives. When there is more than one reading, different Readers should proclaim each reading. e. Make sure all rustling and movement has ceased before beginning to read in keeping with the overall spirit of reverence to allow the congregation time to settle before proclaiming the Reading. f. Following the first reading and the second reading (and the homily), there should be a considerable period of silence before the Reader returns to his or her seat. This is to promote meditation and reflection on the reading. A period of 30 seconds is recommended. 2. Look at the assembly as you begin.
3. Read slowly. It takes time for one s voice to carry. Nervousness causes one to read faster. (Reading too slowly can also cause the meaning to be lost). 4. Eye Contact with the community is important. a. Do it in such a way that the meaning is not lost. b. Endings of sentences or paragraphs are usually the best places to look up. 5. After the Reading is completed, pause slightly before saying, The Word of the Lord. a. It is not necessary to raise the book as you say The Word of the Lord. (This limits the reading to only the book whereas your proclamation, is also the Word of God.) b. Silence is an important aspect of the Liturgy, especially after hearing the Word of God. A short pause (30 seconds) allows God s Word to touch our heart. c. This silence should be observed by all. Standing at the ambo during this time shows that the Reader is involved in the silence. 6. It is preferable that the Responsorial Psalm be sung. a. If the Psalm is read, it is proclaimed by a person other than the person who proclaimed the First Reading. (i.e. second Reader or even third Reader) b. The Psalm (if not sung) should be recited in a manner conducive to meditation on the Word of God. Refer to VII C-c c. The Psalm is sung or recited by the psalmist or cantor at the ambo. d. The refrain of the Psalm is always be sung or read twice at the beginning and once between each verse. This gives the community an opportunity to respond. e. The Psalm leader should say or sing the antiphon with the people, but not overpower them with his/her voice.
f. A slight pause follows the Responsorial Psalm before the Second Reading begins. 7. The Second Reading is proclaimed (by the second Reader) in the same manner as the first was proclaimed. A thirty second period of silence follows the Reading. a. If the Book of Gospels is used, the Reader removes the Lectionary from the ambo following the Second Reading and places it nearby. b. Never lay the Lectionary on the floor. Put it in on the shelf of the ambo or another, nearby small table. 8. The Sequence, which except on Easter Sunday and Pentecost Day is optional, is sung before the Alleluia. The Sequence is sung by the cantor at a place other than the ambo. 9. The Gospel Acclamation is meant to accompany the procession. The Alleluia or verse before the Gospel, if not sung, may be omitted. (GIRM #63c) a. If the Acclamation is not sung, the congregation stands when the presider or deacon stands to go to the ambo. (All ministers should avoid saying, Please stand for the Gospel. ) b. The cantor normally leads the Gospel Acclamation from a place other than the ambo. 10. Following the Creed, the person reading the intercessions of the Universal Prayer, moves to the ambo before the presider begins the Introduction and remains there for the closing oration. The ordinary person to read the Universal Prayer is a Deacon. If a Deacon is not available it is a Lector or Reader who reads the Universal Prayer. 11. The series of intercessions is usually to be: a. for the needs of the Church; b. for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world; c. for those burdened by any kind of difficulty; d. for the local community. (GIRM # 70) 12. Some general rules for composing Intercessions:
D. Closing Procession a. A common response, Lord, hear our prayer. b. Intentions are not thanksgiving. c. Intentions which arise from the worshipping community and speak of their needs (i.e. for the unemployed) are better than those which come from missalettes or other books. d. Intentions should be expressed in inclusive language. e. Intentions should be short and to the point. f. Intentions related to special events (opening and closing of school, funerals, parish events, etc.) should be included. g. Normally, the intentions are read by one person. The Book of Gospels or Lectionary is left open on the ambo. The Reader remains at his/her place as a member of the assembly. Revised: November 3, 2011 Approved by: Brian Joseph Dunn Bishop of Antigonish
RESOURCES GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL LECTIONARY FOR MASS: INTRODUCTION Champlin, Joseph M., Messnger of God s Word, Paulist Press, New Your, 1982 CELEBRATIONS OF INSTALLATION AND RECOGNITION CCCB Publication Service, 2005