Being a Reader at Mass Leaflet

The Psalm f you have to lead the psalm, do not say anything like ‘The responsorial psalm’ or ‘The response is ...’ Just announce the antiphon very deliberately.

Notice that the antiphon and psalm are poetry.

Read them accordingly, with slight stresses on the syllables that form the metre of the psalm, and slight pauses after each line. Do not run the lines together like the prose of the Readings.

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The Alleluia fter the people have said the response for the last time, pause while they stand up. Make the Alleluia quite distinct from the psalm, because the psalm is a meditation on the previous reading, while the Alleluia is a joyful welcome to the Gospel Reading. ‘Alleluia’ means ‘Praise to God’ and the last syllable ‘-ya’ means God, so do not slip into the way of saying ‘Alleluyer’. Then compose your mind for listening to the Gospel Reading.

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The Prayer of the Faithful he Reader will often lead these, known also as the Bidding Prayers or Prayers of Intercession. The celebrant introduces and concludes the Prayers while the Reader speaks the biddings. It is important not to rush but to leave time for the congregation to actually pray. There should be a pause (count to ten for example) before, ‘Lord hear us’ or ‘Lord, in you mercy’.

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The important work of a Reader he reading of the Gospel at Mass is reserved to the deacon or priest if no deacon is present.

This is an instance of the principle that at Mass every ordained Minister or authorised layperson performs all the roles allotted to him and only those roles.

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According to the same principle it belongs to the Reader to proclaim the first and second Scripture reading and that task is not to be taken over by a deacon or priest.

One of the fruits of the liturgical reform following on Vatican II is that there is a renewed emphasis on the importance of the Liturgy of the Word with the treasures of the Bible opened up more lavishly.

The work of the Reader is of the greatest value in this process of renewal.

Do remember, being a reader at Mass is a service to the liturgy, the church and community, and requires a spirit of humility and fidelity, for which we should pray.

For More Information Catechism of the Catholic Church, paras: 1140-1144.

Key Books to Read Companion to Reading the Old Testament, CTS (Sc69) Companion to Reading the New Testament, CTS (Sc70)

Being a Reader at Mass

Companion to the Book of Revelation, CTS (Do783) CTS New Catholic Bible, CTS (Sc100-103) Depths of Scripture, CTS (SP25) Pocket Gospels, CTS (Sc71-74) The Psalms, CTS (Sc76) What happens at Mass?, CTS (LF 3) Story of Prayer through Scripture, CTS (SP26) Sunday Mass Readings - the thinking behind the Lectionary, CTS (Sc105) Handbook for Readers at Mass - with pronunciation guide, CTS (Do803)

Visit: www.CTSbooks.org A wide range of inexpensive publications is available from CTS to help nurture your faith and keep you informed about a wide range of issues. If you would like to receive further information please contact us: CTS, 40-46 Harleyford Road, London SE11 5AY Or visit www.CTSbooks.org Tel: 020 7640 0042 Fax: 020 7640 0046

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All rights reserved. ©2004 Incorporated Catholic Truth Society. Cover image © Helen King/ CORBIS, Illuminated Manuscript, Canterbury Cathedral © Angelo Hornak/CORBIS, © Phil Schmeister/CORBIS, Bible in Westminster Cathedral © Photodisc.

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Guidance for those reading at the liturgy 25p 10/06/2013 15:28

Why have Readers? e are all involved through our attentiveness in every part of the Mass. Some have particular liturgical roles. One of these is to be a Reader (or ‘Lector’), an office with a long and honourable history, dating back to the life of the early Church.

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The Mass is composed of two parts The Liturgy of the Word, when the focus is on the Lectern (or Ambo) and homily of the priest.

We feed on Christ in His ‘word’ presented to us in the form of readings, lessons, psalmody and the Gospel.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist, when the centre of attention is the Altar. Here we are nourished by Christ sacramentally present under the forms of bread and wine.

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Vital role he Reader has a vital contribution to make to the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics believe that Christ is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in church. This important act of service to the whole community is comparable to the work of Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion who often assist the priest in administering Holy Communion. Both have roles of dignity and significance - each deal with holy things and make available Christ’s presence in Word and Sacrament for His people. What could be a greater privilege than that?

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Prepare yourself eading in church is quite different from reading in school or reading to entertain people, because the words that are read in church are God’s words. He borrows the reader’s voice, so that the congregation can hear him. Therefore the first thing a reader should do is pray for God’s help - that your reading may be clear and true, so that God can use it in the minds and hearts of the congregation.

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Prepare the passage to be read hen you must carefully prepare the particular passage you have to read.

This will take some time. First of all make sure that you have understood every word of it. If it is difficult, you should discuss it with someone who can help you. If you cannot understand the passage, the congregation will not understand it and God’s word will not be heard. We must be sensible and humble about this.

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Notice the quotation that stands at the top of the reading. It gives the key words of the reading, and will help greatly. Look up difficult words; (biblical pronunciation books are available); find out how to say any unfamiliar proper names and the names of places. Look into the Bible and find out how the passage fits into the book it comes from.

This little bit of study may transform your reading from poor or average to very good.

You will find that on most days there is a connection of meaning between the First Reading and the Gospel Reading. On Sundays the second reading has no connection with the other two

readings: it belongs to a series of important passages in the New Testament, taken in Bible order from Sunday to Sunday. Readers should familiarise themselves with the ‘Lectionary’ and the cycles of readings through the year. Those responsible, should be careful not to assign young and inexperienced readers to difficult passages.

Practise in church t least once, you should get the feel of the space and the sound of your voice in the church. If there is a microphone, practise with it switched on. Practise reading from the lectionary book. Do not read from a hand missal or leaflet, which will lead you to look downward, even to mumble, and may look very undignified.

Listen carefully to other readers and note their good points.

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Be on time and be ready rrive at church in good time before the Mass.

Go to the lectionary and check that the page is correctly marked. Notice where your passage is on the page so that you do not fumble when you come to read.

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Proclaiming the reading hen the time comes, go to the lectern in a dignified manner: for the First Reading, just after the people have said ‘Amen’; for the Second Reading, at end of the psalm. Make sure that the microphone is set so that you read straight into it, even if you did this before Mass. Give the congregation a moment to collect their thoughts before you begin. Stand tall, and do not let your head fall forward. Announce the reading with

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the words in the lectionary. Do not say ‘The first reading’ or ‘The second reading’. Simply read what it says in the book: ‘A reading from ....’

Pause slightly before beginning to read the text.

Read solemnly, loudly and clearly, so that the importance of the words is obvious. Remember that it is God’s word. It is more of a ‘proclamation’ than a ‘reading’ of it. Read slowly, so that it even feels a little too slow to you. It will sound just right to the ears of the listeners. Practise this speed of reading, or you may have a tendency to speed up as you read. Remember the words are all important. If you rush them the people will not hear them and you will sound as though you do not think they are important.

Read in a plain style ut plenty of brief pauses into the reading, sometimes even where there is no comma in the book. (The Jerusalem Bible is under-punctuated.)

These pauses help the listeners to keep up with the meaning of the words.

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Do not try to put much expression into the words, and take care not to emphasize the wrong words.

The natural emphasis is usually on a noun, so do not stress pronouns and connecting words. If you have studied the passage beforehand you should have little trouble over this.

At the end pause distinctly before saying ‘The word of the Lord.’ Pause long enough to think a little prayer, such as ‘Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

The words ‘The word of the Lord.’ should have equal emphasis.

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