• All lectors shall complete Virtus-training.

• If you are unable to lector on your scheduled day, it is your responsibility to use the MSP (Ministry Scheduling Program) to request a sub.  

• Our most important job as lectors is to proclaim the readings to the congregation in a way that they can best understand it.  Probably the easiest way to help accomplish this is to read more slowly and enunciate clearly.  It makes you easier to understand.  Try to be comfortable enough with the reading to look up often and establish eye contact with the congregation.  Don’t try to memorize the reading.  This is a recipe for disaster. Every reading has a story.  Don’t just read the words – tell the story.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you.     

• Lectoring is a ministry that requires some preparation.  Try to start at least two or three days in advance.  Determine from the schedule whether you are Lector 1 or Lector 2.  Take time to read the introduction in the Workbook for lectors and gospel readers.  Even for the experienced readers there may be an insight or two to be gained.  Be prepared to do both readings in the event that one of the lectors does not show up for some reason.
• If you do not purchase a workbook you can find the readings at the USCCB web site https://bible.usccb.org/.  For some Sundays there may be alternate readings, (i.e., Vigil reading, Mass at Dawn, Mass during the Day).  If no prior direction is given, the church bulletin from the previous Sunday will have the Mass readings for the following Sunday listed.
• Go over the reading(s) a few times silently to get a feel for what is being said.  Then, start reading aloud, paying close attention to the side notes in the Lector Workbook for pronunciation, intonation, and phrasing, and the footnotes for context.
• If you do not have a workbook there are number of online resources that can be helpful in aiding you to prepare for your reading:  A Catholic Moment, Fr. Burke Masters,  Lector's Notes, Roger Karban Commentary, Bible Gateway  (use the New American Bible (Revised Edition),  Agape Bible Study,  The Devine Lamp, Pronunciation Guide.  Agape Bible Study,  The Devine Lamp, Pronunciation Guide.
• It can also be useful to use a Bible, and associated notes, to review any of the preceding and following text for the related reading.  This will give you a better sense of the context of the reading.

Proper Attire

• In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing. (GIRM 339)
• For males, appropriate attire would include either a suit or conservative sports jacket and dress slacks.  A necktie, while most appropriate and encouraged, is not required.  Jeans, shorts, open shirts, sports jerseys, sneakers and other such casual dress are inappropriate and do not meet the standards for assisting at the Mass.
• For females, appropriate attire would include dresses, dress slacks or skirts and blouses (or sweaters), and suits.  A modest neckline is recommended for dresses, sweaters and blouses.  Short skirts or dresses, revealing blouses (such as low cut, sleeveless or see-through), or shorts of any length do not meet the standards for assisting at the Mass.
• Clothing for both men and women should fit comfortably and not be formfitting or tight.  Dress shoes should be the footwear of choice; however, personal safety in moving around the altar, ambo and sanctuary should be a priority consideration in the selection process.

Please arrive at least 20 minutes early.  Sign in on the kiosk on the credenza by the sacristy.  Let the Mass Coordinator know you have arrived. The announcements (read by lector 2) and the general intercessions (read by lector 1 if there is no Deacon serving at the Mass) should be in the binder at the ambo. Please read them over and become familiar with them. If you are unsure of the pronunciation of a name ask the Mass Coordinator or Father.  Also review your reading for word spacing on the page, the Lectionary will be at the ambo.  Check to ensure that the ambo microphone is on (green light lit). Please leave the Lectionary open to the first reading and lay the binder on top (open to the greeting). Ensure that the Book of the Gospel is in the stand in the commons.

NOTE: Inform the Mass Coordinator if the binder and the Lectionary are not at the ambo.

NOTE:  The following information about lector responsibilities could apply to a single lector, which should be the norm for the 7:00 AM Sunday Mass, or if an assigned lector does not show up.

• if no Deacon is serving at Mass, process with the Book of the Gospels. 
• first reading
• read the Responsorial Psalm for Mass without a Cantor (i.e., 7:00 AM Sunday)
• read the Prayer of the Faithful if no Deacon is serving at Mass
• recess out beside Lector 2, leave the Book of the Gospels on the Gospel stand at the altar – this does not apply to the 7:00 AM Sunday Mass.
• After the Mass, retrieve the Book of the Gospels from the altar stand and place it on the stand in the Commons.

• Announcements
• Second reading
• recess out beside Lector 1

Summary of Lector Responsibilities based on which Mass you are serving and if there is a deacon in attendance.

Lector 2 – When making the announcements make your “Good Morning” loud enough to be heard, and then wait a few seconds before continuing.  Please read the announcements as written.

Lector 1 – Order of procession, when no Deacon is assisting:  cross bearer, servers, lector 1, Presider. When you reach the foot of the altar, proceed directly up the steps and place the Book of the Gospels face down in the middle of the altar and exit to the side of the altar. A center exit creates a potential traffic jam with the Presider coming up to the altar.

Lector 1 

• After the Collect (opening prayer) or for Masses with Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW), when the Presider has dismissed the children, proceed to the ambo for the first reading.  To maintain the flow of the Mass, your movement to the ambo should coincide with the Presiders movement to his seat.  Don’t wait until he is seated to move to the ambo.
• Don’t begin the reading until the children have exited the worship space and the Presider is seated.
• When through, turn the page as necessary for Lector 2, wait 5 seconds and return to your seat.
• Cantor will then sing Responsorial Psalm either from the ambo or from the Choir area.

Lector 2 

• After the Responsorial Psalm proceed up to ambo to proclaim the 2^nd reading.  Do not begin reading until choir has seated themselves. 
• After the reading, put the Lectionary in the cubby space of ambo, wait 5 seconds at the ambo and return to seat.

NOTE:  For 7:00 AM Sunday Mass: 

• The lector will read the Gospel acclamation from the Lectionary and when finished, place the Lectionary in the cubby space of the ambo.  

Lector 1 – When there is no Deacon assisting at Mass:

• Wait for the last paragraph of the Nicene Creed “… We believe in the Holy Spirit…” before proceeding to the ambo for the Prayer of the Faithful, DO NOT wait until the creed is done.
• Retrieve the binder from the ambo shelf and be ready to begin reading once the Presider has finished his introduction.
• Once you have finished reading, wait until the Presider has concluded the Prayer of the Faithful before closing the binder, placing it on the ambo shelf and exiting.

NOTE:  When there is a Baptism at Mass the creed will not be said. Instead, after the homily,  Father will call the parents, godparents and the child up to the altar. At that time, Lector 1 should proceed to the ambo and be ready to read the Prayer of the Faithful after Father gives a brief introduction. Recite the Prayer of the Faithful and remain at the ambo until Father finishes the prayer.

Both Lectors – When music for final hymn begins, move to your positions in front of the altar. Cross bearer may move before or behind you in getting to the front of the altar.  After Presider genuflects, follow cross bearer out (order of recession:  cross bearer, servers, lectors, Deacon and Presider).

NOTE:  For 7:00 AM Sunday Mass Father recesses out by himself or with the Deacon.

Lector 1 – After the Mass, retrieve the Book of the Gospels from the altar stand, as required, and place it on the stand in the Commons.

When the Deacon is Assisting at Mass

(The Deacon will carry in the Book of the Gospels and will read the Prayer of the Faithful)

Order of Procession:  Cross Bearer, servers, Deacon carrying Book of the Gospels, Presider.
 

Genuflecting/Bowing

According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) 274:

• A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament.
• If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.

Based on the words in the GIRM (above) we genuflect when we process in or recess out.  But, if an infirmity does not allow you to genuflect a profound bow from the waist would be an appropriate alternative.   

• Based on the words in the GIRM (above) we genuflect when we process in or recess out.  But, if an infirmity does not allow you to genuflect a profound bow from the waist would be an appropriate alternative.   
• When processing in with the Book of the Gospels no bow or genuflection is required.  Proceed directly to the altar and place the Book of the Gospels on the altar.
• When the Lector goes up to make the announcements if they pass before the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle (i.e. come up the center aisle) they should genuflect.  
• When proceeding to the ambo for your reading or Prayers of the Faithful, bow to the altar, vice the Tabernacle.  After your reading when you go back to your seat you should bow to the altar when you step down from the ambo. If you sit on the side of the worship space opposite the ambo, you would bow as you pass in front of the altar.  
• We bow to the altar as the focal point during the celebration of the Mass since the altar symbolizes Christ and it is where he’ll come down in the hands of the priest.