Procedures for Lectors  

All Lectors should show the greatest reverence for the “Word of God” by their demeanor, attire and their willingness to serve. Please arrive early. This gives you enough time to prepare in the manner explained below, welcome people as they enter the church, and reverently participate in Mass when it begins. Please note that if you cannot serve at the assigned time: Find another minister to substitute; inform the Mass Captain of the substitution; advise the Mass Captain if you cannot find a substitute. 

BEFORE THE MASS BEGINS:

1.   Check in with the Mass Captain 20 minutes prior to the start of Mass. Ensure that you sign in on the roster in the vestibule as L1 or L2 according to the pre-assigned schedule.

2.   Wear your appropriate colored nametag.

3.   Get the General Intercessions and Announcements from the bulletin board. Review them to be sure you can correctly pronounce all names, etc.  Take them forward to the lectors’ pew before Mass begins.

4.   Check that the Lectionary is open to the correct page on the ambo.

5.   Turn on the ambo light (the switch is inside the ambo, on the right side).

6.   Determine if a deacon is participating in this Mass. If he is, then he will carry the Gospel Book in the entrance procession and will read the General Intercessions.  .

7.   If a deacon is not participating, then L2 carries the Gospel Book in the entrance procession. Be sure it is marked for the correct Sunday. 

THE GATHERING PROCESSION:

1.   The altar servers enter first, followed by lectors.

2.   If a deacon is carrying the Gospel Books, L1 and L2 walk side by side. When they approach the altar, they genuflect (or make a solemn bow, if they cannot genuflect) and then move to the side pew. 

3.   If there is no deacon present, L1 walks behind the altar servers, genuflects (or make a solemn bow, if unable to genuflect) and goes directly to the side pew.   L2 carries the Gospel Book in the gathering procession. The Gospel Book is held about shoulder high. Without pausing at the bottom steps, L2 walks up to, and around, the altar (on the side farthest from the ambo), and places the Gospel Book into its stand. The front cover of the book, with the pictures, faces the assembly. L2 then walks directly to the side pew (going behind the ambo). 

THE MASS:

1.   After the Gloria and the Opening Prayer, L1 reads the first reading when the priest sits down.  There may be situations when the presider may need to explain something about the readings.  In this case, L1 remains seated until the presider finishes and sits down.   At the end of the first reading, pause a moment before concluding with “the Word of the Lord.” L1 then turns the page to the next reading and sits down in the side pew.

2.   The Cantor leads the Responsorial Psalm.

3.   L2 reads the second reading. There may be situations when the presider may need to explain something about the readings.  In this case, L2 remains seated until the presider finishes and sits down.  In all other cases, L2 begins reading after the Responsorial Psalm, with no other introduction. Pause a moment before concluding with “the Word of the Lord.” Then place the Lectionary on the top shelf inside the ambo, so that the priest has a clear surface on which to place the Gospel Book. If the priest has placed the homily notes on that shelf, lift the notes and place the Lectionary under them if possible. Return to the side pew.

4.   After the Homily and the Profession of Faith, and there is no deacon, L1 goes to the ambo when the presider picks up the “green book”.  The presider introduces the Prayers of the Faithful. These words are printed on your copy of the Prayers. After he has said these words, L1 begins reading the petitions. L1 remains at the Ambo until the presider says the final prayer of the intercessions.  If a deacon is participating, he will read the Prayers of the Faithful instead of L1.

5.   When kneeling during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the altar servers and lectors use the step on which to kneel, and then return to stand in front of their pew after the Amen. If a lector is incapable of kneeling, standing during the Eucharistic Prayer is acceptable. It is recommended that the lector move to the back of transept during this part of the Mass.

6.   At the 7:30 a.m. Mass L1 reads the Communion Antiphon after the presider consumes the Eucharist.  After receiving communion, the lectors sit in the pew (rather than kneel or stand) to allow others to receive communion and pass back to their pews.

7.   After the closing prayer, L2 reads the announcements and then returns to the side pew for the blessing of the assembly. However, when there is a second collection, L2 will announce the second collection and wait until the collections begins, before reading the announcements, unless directed otherwise.

THE RECESSIONAL:

1.   During the closing hymn, the priest will step forward to give the altar servers their cue to begin assembling at foot of the altar for the procession out of the church.

2.   L1 and L2 fall in behind the priest at the foot of the altar. 

3.   The altar servers will stop and turn around at their designated spot in the center aisle, allowing the lectors also to turn around and face the altar

4.   Everyone genuflects (or solemn bow) when the priests genuflects (or solemn bows). Then the procession turns around again (in unison) and proceeds out of the church.

5.   Altar servers walk out first, followed by L1 and then L2.

6.   Leave your nametags.

Since, the Gospel book is NOT processed out after Mass, L2 will return to the ambo and bring it back for the next Mass.