Lectors may pick up their new 2012 workbooks in the Sacristy. Please sign and date the log sheet when you pickup your copy.

Thank you for the great ministry you bring to St. Vincent’s!

Lectors read selected Scripture passages during the Mass service. There are two Lectors scheduled for each mass.
Lector one processes in with the Lectionary, proclaims the First Reading and the petitions (prayers of the faithful).
Lector two proclaims the Second Reading and the announcements, and walks out with the Lectionary in the recessional.

When you are scheduled to Lector, go to the sacristy and check your name off the schedule posted for the day. Let the presider and sacristan know that you are one of the Lectors for that mass, and let the other Lector know that you are present.

Please Note: See the Definitions below for any words & phrases that are unfamiliar.

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

•  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.
•  Spend some time reflecting on or praying about the reading.
•  Practice reading the scripture passage out loud several times until you are very comfortable with it.

The Lectionary can usually be found on the table in the sacristy and is usually marked for that day’s readings. The petitions/announcements will be in a black binder marked Lector on the table. Please review the petitions/announcements in the sacristy before mass begins. Review your reading since it looks different in the lectionary than it does in the Lector workbook.

About five minutes before mass begins, Lector One should proceed to the rear of the church with the book of the gospel to prepare for the opening procession. Lector Two should take the petitions/announcements binder over to the Lector bench at the altar and take their seat. Lectors usually sit at the altar for the entire mass.

During Mass: At most masses, Lector One is the first person in the procession and is followed by the Presider. 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 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, and place the book of the gospel on the lectern. Then take your seat on the bench reserved for Lectors at the altar.

After the Presider concludes the opening prayer and is seated, slowly make your way to the lectern. Open the Lectionary to the readings. As you proclaim the reading, remember to take your time, read slowly and enunciate. Try to 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 lectern. Then return to your chair.

After the Responsorial Psalm, Lector Two walks to the lectern for the second reading. Remember to take your time here as well. After you finish the reading, take your seat 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 lectern during the last paragraph of the creed. This is marked in the binder for you. If there is no creed said, watch the Presider carefully to determine when to approach the lectern to read the petitions. After the Presider 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 lectern until the Presider 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.

Announcements come after communion right before the final blessing. Be sure to pay attention and move up to the lectern when the Presider stands up to say the closing prayer after communion. Take the binder up to the lectern and read the announcements immediately after the closing prayer.

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

If you feel that you must sit in the pews, please do the following:
Sit at the altar at the beginning of mass. Lector One should quietly go to the pews right after reading the petitions. Lector Two should quietly go to the pews right after the second reading. Go right down the ramp, do not return to the bench at the altar.

Lector Two will have to return to the altar to read the announcements at the end of mass. Do so after receiving communion, take your place at the altar, do not return to the pews. Then walk the Lectionary out in the recessional.

When serving as a Lector occasionally there is no cantor 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.

The organist/musician will seek you out and inform you that there is no cantor for the mass. In addition to the readings/petitions/announcements, you will also need to announce the hymns (but not lead the congregation in song).

This involves the entrance hymn, offertory hymn, communion hymn and closing hymn. For each hymn, please approach the lectern at the appropriate time and say "The entrance/offertory/closing hymn is number ###," then say the name of the hymn. For each different hymn, use a different phrasing, such as "Our entrance hymn is ‘Gather Us In’ found on page ###."

Sometimes there is no communion hymn and only instrumental music. The organist/musician will inform you of this.

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 the first reading.

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 lectern.

Take a lengthy pause and then begin the psalm by saying, for example "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. Continue with the second verse & response, etc.

After the responsorial psalm, take a lengthy pause before beginning the second reading.

Please be on time. Come at least 15 minutes before the start of the Mass. If you cannot attend a Mass for which you’re scheduled, please try to find a substitute. If you cannot find a substitute, please call the Parish Center and ask to leave a message for the sacristan in the Sacristy before the mass.

Please wear appropriate clothing. Shorts, bare shoulders, T-shirts, and worn-out jeans are regarded by many people who worship with us as a sign of an overly casual approach toward assisting the Mass. Nice jeans are fine, but otherwise, if you wouldn’t wear it to work, we ask you not to wear it to church.

• Sacristy: Preparation room adjacent to Sanctuary.
• Sanctuary: Entire altar space.
• Presider: The Father who performs the mass.
• Lectionary: Book with the readings.