Ministry Schedules & Training

If you are interested in being trained as a Lector, or to view the most recent schedules,please visit the Liturgical Ministry Schedules & Training page.

Lector Guide Sheet

"The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue,
that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."

Thank you for making the commitment to serve in the lector ministry at St. Vincent’s. The following information is meant to assist you in preparing for this ministry.

• The most important thing to remember is that preparation is essential. When you are scheduled to lector, we ask that you do the following:

1. Read through the selected reading in the lector workbook. The notes in the workbook often provide helpful insights and explanations of the readings. The pronunciation guide can assist with difficult words or place names.
2. Spend some time reflecting on or praying about the reading.
3. Practice reading the scripture passage out loud several times until you are very comfortable with it.
4. Lector Schedule: The schedule for lectors generally comes out every eight weeks. If you cannot serve when you are scheduled, please arrange for a substitute lector in advance.
5. Attire: Please dress with respect for the ministry and the mass. "Business casual" is a good guide. Old jeans, shorts, sweats, and tank tops are not appropriate.

• There are two lectors scheduled for each mass. Lector 1 processes in with the lectionary, proclaims the First Reading and the petitions (prayers of the faithful); Lector 2 proclaims the Second Reading and the announcements, and walks out with the lectionary in the recessional.

• When you are scheduled to lector, please plan to arrive 15 minutes before mass starts. Go to the sacristy and check your name off on the schedule posted for the day. Let the presider and sacristan know that you are one of the lectors for that mass. Also let the other lector know that you are present.

• The lectionary (book with the readings) can usually be found on the table in the sacristy and is generally marked for that day’s readings. The petitions and announcements will be in a black binder marked "lector" on the table. Please review the petitions/announcements in the sacristy before mass begins. Also review your reading since it looks different in the lectionary than it does in the lector workbook.

• About five minutes before mass begins, Lector 1 should proceed to the rear of the church (main entryway) with the book of the gospel to prepare for the opening procession. Lector 2 should take the petitions/announcements binder over to the lector bench on the altar and take his/her seat. Lectors sit on the altar for the entire mass.

• At most masses, the lector is the first person in the procession and is followed by the priest. After the opening hymn has begun, start processing down the aisle with the lectionary. You should hold the lectionary above your head with the front of the lectionary facing forward. Or, if you feel more comfortable, you may hold the lectionary in front of you. Please hold the lectionary with both hands and walk slowly and reverently.

• When you reach the altar, do not bow. The lectionary and the altar are both symbols of Christ, and one should not bow to the other. Rather, continue processing up the altar steps, the book of the gospel on the ambo. Then take your seat on the bench reserved for lectors on the altar.

• After the priest concludes the opening prayer and is seated, slowly make your way to the ambo. Open the lectionary to the readings. As you proclaim the reading, remember to take your time! Read slowly and enunciate. Make eye contact with the congregation. Remember – you are proclaiming the word of God to your sisters and brothers in Christ!

• The appropriate conclusion to the reading is "The Word of the Lord". Say this clearly and slowly. Wait until the congregation responds "Thanks be to God" before leaving the ambo. Then return to your chair. Resist the urge to rush!

• If you are the second lector, you will have taken your seat on the bench on the altar before mass begins. Walk to the ambo after the Responsorial Psalm is over. Remember to take your time here as well – there is no need to rush. After you finish the reading, take your seat in the chair again.

• After the homily and the creed, it is time for the petitions. If the creed is said, take the binder and move up to the ambo during the last paragraph of the creed. This is marked in the binder for you. If there is no creed said, watch the priest carefully to determine when to approach the ambo to read the petitions. After the priest says the opening prayer for the petitions, read the petitions slowly and clearly. The conclusion to each petition is usually "We Pray to the Lord", to which the congregation responds "Lord Hear Our Prayer". Stay at the ambo until Father has said the closing prayer for the petitions, then take your seat again.

• To receive communion, please join with the Eucharistic Ministers around the altar during the Lamb of God. After receiving, return to the bench.

• The announcements come after communion right before the final blessing. Be sure to be paying attention and move up to the ambo when Father stands up to say the closing prayer after communion. Take the binder up to the ambo and begin to read the announcements immediately after the closing prayer.

• After mass, please return the book of the gospel and the binder to the sacristy.

• As a lector, you are performing a very important ministry in the church. Be sure to take your time and relax.

Note: If you feel that you must sit in the pews, please do the following:

Sit on the altar at the beginning of mass. Lector 1 should quietly go to the pews right after reading the petitions. Lector 2 should quietly go to the pews right after the second reading. Go right down the ramp, do not return to the bench on the altar. Lector 2 will have to return to the altar to read the announcements at the end of mass. Do so after receiving communion – take your place on the altar, do not return to the pews. Then walk the lectionary out in the recessional.

Masses Without a Cantor

When serving as a lector at St. Vincent’s, there is occasionally the rare instance when no cantor is present to lead the congregation in song during mass. At these times, the lector needs to assume some additional responsibilities to ensure that the liturgy goes smoothly. Although this situation is rare, it sometimes does occur due to illness, emergencies or other circumstances. This information is being provided so that you will be prepared in case this happens when you are scheduled to lector.

Here’s what to do:

1. The organist/musician will seek you out and inform you that there is no cantor for the mass.
2. In addition to the reading(s)/petitions/announcements, you will also need to announce the hymns (no, we do not expect you to lead the congregation in song!). This involves the entrance hymn, offertory hymn, communion hymn and closing hymn. For each hymn, please approach the ambo (lectern) at the appropriate time and say "The entrance/offertory/closing hymn is number ___" and then say the name of the hymn. Then repeat this information in a different way, such as "Our entrance hymn is ‘Gather Us In’ found on page ___". Sometimes there is no communion hymn and only instrumental music – so no announcement needed. The organist will inform you of this.
3. Because you will introduce the opening hymn, you will not process in with the lectionary. After announcing the hymn, you may take your seat until it is time for the first reading.
4. The responsorial psalm will not be sung, so you will need to read it. The psalm is found in the lectionary between the two readings for the day. After the first reading, remain at the ambo. Take a lengthy pause and then begin the psalm by saying our responsorial psalm is "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord." The congregation will repeat the psalm. Then read the first verse and lead the congregation in the response. Read the second...response...third...response..etc.
5. After the responsorial psalm, take a lengthy pause before beginning the second reading.