As a Lector, would you ever

[CatholicZ09]

I prefer the longer readings, but I’m a a new lector, so I haven’t had much opportunity. Many, many people have come up to me to give me praises for how I read, and they are truly sincere, and ask me when I’ll read again. Some have even told me that I’m better ( both the readings and the homilies) than the other lectors the deacons, and even the priests, and that really makes me feel embarassed. I don’t understand, because they often think my readings are like the sermons. I always tell them that don’t give me any credit at all, all credit belongs to God. I really am humble no matter what anyone says. Even though I’ve been a lector for a few months, I’m seriously thinking about quitting, partly due to that, seriously, and because starting today, besides my always practicing beforehand, even weeks beforehand, for the first time I recorded myself on my cell phone, and I just sound hideous, really… I don’t know what the heck people are thinking, but now I have become very self conscious and very nervous. I’ve never ever been nervous. The very first day I read, I wasn’t nervous one bit, and in fact, very calm and let the scriptures and the Holy Spirit flow. But seriously, now I’m very self-conscious, no longer confident, and really ready to quit. And I didn’t bring into the discussion about all that praise stuff to impress anyone, as it really does embarasse me as I am truly a humble person, and unworthy.

     What shall I do?  I really want to resign, and I really mean it.

Don’t quit. I go to a parish where we don’t have missals with the readings in them, so we have to rely on the readers to read the word effectively and clearly. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Some of the readers do not know how to read and/or do not know how to project their voices, so more often than not, the Word of God is not read clearly and in a way that people can understand. I have been reading for six years, and many people thank me for reading clearly and slowly. You are doing everyone a favor in your parish by reading because they can hear and understand the Word of God because you communicate it so clearly.

I wouldn’t pay any mind to the recording. I have recorded myself, too, and I never liked the end result. I think we often tend to be hard on ourselves. I hate hearing my own voice in recordings. Don’t sweat it.

 

[Simca]

I prefer the longer readings, but I’m a a new lector, so I haven’t had much opportunity. Many, many people have come up to me to give me praises for how I read, and they are truly sincere, and ask me when I’ll read again. Some have even told me that I’m better ( both the readings and the homilies) than the other lectors the deacons, and even the priests, and that really makes me feel embarassed. I don’t understand, because they often think my readings are like the sermons. I always tell them that don’t give me any credit at all, all credit belongs to God. I really am humble no matter what anyone says. Even though I’ve been a lector for a few months, I’m seriously thinking about quitting, partly due to that, seriously, and because starting today, besides my always practicing beforehand, even weeks beforehand, for the first time I recorded myself on my cell phone, and I just sound hideous, really… I don’t know what the heck people are thinking, but now I have become very self conscious and very nervous. I’ve never ever been nervous. The very first day I read, I wasn’t nervous one bit, and in fact, very calm and let the scriptures and the Holy Spirit flow. But seriously, now I’m very self-conscious, no longer confident, and really ready to quit. And I didn’t bring into the discussion about all that praise stuff to impress anyone, as it really does embarasse me as I am truly a humble person, and unworthy.

     What shall I do?  I really want to resign, and I really mean it.

Please don’t be discouraged. When people praise your reading, be happy and consider it a confirmation from the Lord, that this is what you should be doing, and that you are using the gift that God has given you. . After a while, after you’ve read a few times, usually people will get used to you and many of the compliments will stop. And then, don’t become discouraged again because of that, but be assured that your strength is in the Lord.

It’s better to try and take yourself out of the picture all together and to pray that both you and your listeners will see this as God’s work and not your own. It’s hard for us all, because we tend to focus on people whom we can see, rather than on God whom we cannot see.

Be encouraged, do not lose hope, but set your eyes on the author and finisher of your faith, our Lord Jesus Christ. Be amazed that He has chosen you to be His spokesperson. WOW! What a privilege you have been given.

 

[speters33w]

I prefer the longer readings, but I’m a a new lector, so I haven’t had much opportunity. Many, many people have come up to me to give me praises for how I read, and they are truly sincere, and ask me when I’ll read again. Some have even told me that I’m better ( both the readings and the homilies) than the other lectors the deacons, and even the priests, and that really makes me feel embarassed. I don’t understand, because they often think my readings are like the sermons. I always tell them that don’t give me any credit at all, all credit belongs to God. I really am humble no matter what anyone says. Even though I’ve been a lector for a few months, I’m seriously thinking about quitting, partly due to that, seriously, and because starting today, besides my always practicing beforehand, even weeks beforehand, for the first time I recorded myself on my cell phone, and I just sound hideous, really… I don’t know what the heck people are thinking, but now I have become very self conscious and very nervous. I’ve never ever been nervous. The very first day I read, I wasn’t nervous one bit, and in fact, very calm and let the scriptures and the Holy Spirit flow. But seriously, now I’m very self-conscious, no longer confident, and really ready to quit. And I didn’t bring into the discussion about all that praise stuff to impress anyone, as it really does embarasse me as I am truly a humble person, and unworthy.

     What shall I do?  I really want to resign, and I really mean it.

Buddy, don’t quit. I hear this all the time. “We can understand you. And I like that Priest who speaks loud and slow, too.” etc. etc. I usually blame it on my military training (the loud voice no-one can ignore part) I also sometimes blame it on the less than stellar extremely directional mike we have and explain the lectors are trained to turn their heads but if we do that with this mike you can’t do that.

But really, you were called to lector for a reason. As were the other lectors. If you are a good lector, that just means you’re a good lector.

I posted this previously in this thread, I wish this prayer were more standard:

There’s also a prayer I say before proclaiming. I first printed it from CatholicsProclaim.com a few years ago, but it looks like looks like the site is gone.

Lord, empty my mind of any thoughts about myself. Help me to take myself out of this reading I’m about to proclaim, and fill me with your Holy Spirit so there’s no room for any self-centered thoughts to infiltrate my mind and heart. Help me become a pure and unblemished conduit for your message so that it touches the mids and hearts of my brothers and sisters in a way that pleases them, and especially you,
Amen.

I find it very helpful to pray this.

Praise from your congregation is not evil, and not a sin. It means you are where you should be as a part of the body, but not a reason for pride.

If you are “better” or “worse” at proclaiming than the other lectors, that shouldn’t be an issue to you. Remove yourself from it. The Holy Spirit is bigger than us. Or our cell phone microphones.

Do not be self conscious, you are an instrument.

 

[1ke]

read the optional shorter version of a Sunday reading?

Well, Simca, it happened today. I was the reader and the second reading had a long and short version. I asked Father which reading I should read and he left it up to me. I read the long reading.

 

[Melissa]

I prefer the longer readings, but I’m a a new lector, so I haven’t had much opportunity. Many, many people have come up to me to give me praises for how I read, and they are truly sincere, and ask me when I’ll read again. Some have even told me that I’m better ( both the readings and the homilies) than the other lectors the deacons, and even the priests, and that really makes me feel embarassed. I don’t understand, because they often think my readings are like the sermons. I always tell them that don’t give me any credit at all, all credit belongs to God. I really am humble no matter what anyone says. Even though I’ve been a lector for a few months, I’m seriously thinking about quitting, partly due to that, seriously, and because starting today, besides my always practicing beforehand, even weeks beforehand, for the first time I recorded myself on my cell phone, and I just sound hideous, really… I don’t know what the heck people are thinking, but now I have become very self conscious and very nervous. I’ve never ever been nervous. The very first day I read, I wasn’t nervous one bit, and in fact, very calm and let the scriptures and the Holy Spirit flow. But seriously, now I’m very self-conscious, no longer confident, and really ready to quit. And I didn’t bring into the discussion about all that praise stuff to impress anyone, as it really does embarasse me as I am truly a humble person, and unworthy.

     What shall I do?  I really want to resign, and I really mean it.

I agree with those who have suggested prayer (and persevering). Personally, I hate the sound of my recorded voice, but I don’t consider that to be an impediment to being a good lector.

 

[Simca]

Well, Simca, it happened today. I was the reader and the second reading had a long and short version. I asked Father which reading I should read and he left it up to me. I read the long reading.

It’s funny you should mention that, because I was coaching a brand new reader on Sunday before mass, and I noticed the shorter version, and thought, Oh no, it’s just my luck. So I explained everything to her, and told her to read the long version. I too, think it’s usually the best thing to do. And in our church, we would never be told.

I also told her, in my opinion, it’s best to pick the alleluia that’s in the missalette. Some of the readers don’t do that, but I think it’s better for those in the congregation who following along with the missalette.

 

[Elizium23]

Most people who read at Mass are not instituted as lectors. Most are simply “readers”. But, reader or lector, it isn’t their decision to make. It is the presider’s.

There is no such distinction ever made between “reader” and “lector”. There are not two different words in Latin, so how could there be a distinction?

 

[Reuben_J]

There is no such distinction ever made between “reader” and “lector”. There are not two different words in Latin, so how could there be a distinction?

One is instituted, the other not. Both do the same function.

 

[Elizium23]

One is instituted, the other not. Both do the same function.

You can be an instituted lector or an un-instituted lector. You can be an instituted reader or an un-instituted reader. No distinction is made by the Church on the basis of the word used. I have served as lector plenty of times and I was never instituted. My mother serves as a lector; lectors in her diocese are supposed to be commissioned but she never attends the commissioning ceremony, so I suppose she is a “renegade lector”. That doesn’t mean there is a difference between “lector” and “reader” - this is something someone made up because one is an anglicized Latin word and the other is a Germanic word.

Try this trick in Spanish or Italian or Latin and it simply won’t fly. There is only one word for “lector” in those languages.

 

[Dove1]

You can be an instituted lector or an un-instituted lector. You can be an instituted reader or an un-instituted reader. No distinction is made by the Church on the basis of the word used. I have served as lector plenty of times and I was never instituted. My mother serves as a lector; lectors in her diocese are supposed to be commissioned but she never attends the commissioning ceremony, so I suppose she is a “renegade lector”…

In our parish, we have commissioned lectors, like me. Unlike instituted lectors, we need to renew every year, meaning there is a commissioning ceremony every year. Non-attendance would mean being ineligible to serve as a commissioned lector for the following year.

We reserve the term “readers” (also called mass readers) to churchgoers selected to proclaim readings especially for wedding masses or funeral masses. Oops, getting off topic.

 

[Reuben_J]

You can be an instituted lector or an un-instituted lector. You can be an instituted reader or an un-instituted reader. No distinction is made by the Church on the basis of the word used. I have served as lector plenty of times and I was never instituted. My mother serves as a lector; lectors in her diocese are supposed to be commissioned but she never attends the commissioning ceremony, so I suppose she is a “renegade lector”. That doesn’t mean there is a difference between “lector” and “reader” - this is something someone made up because one is an anglicized Latin word and the other is a Germanic word.

Try this trick in Spanish or Italian or Latin and it simply won’t fly. There is only one word for “lector” in those languages.

Whatever it is, there is such a thing as instituted lector (you may want to look it up). I am sorry if you have not heard of it. Perhaps your parish does not do it. Of course you can mean lector (loosely) as reader, and nobody can say that you are wrong, because they do the same function. I am a lector too (and a commentator) in the two dioceses where I have lived, I do not know for how many years already, as far as I can remember. I usually do not make a big deal of it, but since it was mentioned here.

 

[Elizium23]

Whatever it is, there is such a thing as instituted lector (you may want to look it up). I am sorry if you have not heard of it. Perhaps your parish does not do it. Of course you can mean lector (loosely) as reader, and nobody can say that you are wrong, because they do the same function. I am a lector too (and a commentator) in the two dioceses where I have lived, I do not know for how many years already, as far as I can remember. I usually do not make a big deal of it, but since it was mentioned here.

Actually in official Church documents, they are called “readers” not “lectors”.

Ministeria quedam

In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, institution to the ministries of reader and acolyte is reserved to men.
The following are requirements for admission to the ministries:
the presentation of a petition that has been freely made out and signed by the aspirant to the Ordinary (the bishop and, in clerical institutes, the major superior) who has the right to accept the petition;
a suitable age and special qualities to be determined by the conference of bishops;
a firm will to give faithful service to God and the Christian people.
The ministries are conferred by the Ordinary (the bishop and, in clerical institutes, the major superior) through the liturgical rite De institutione lectoris and De institutione acolythi as revised by the Apostolic See.
An interval, determined by the Holy See or the conferences of bishops, shall be observed between the conferring of the ministries of reader and acolyte whenever more than one ministry is conferred on the same person.
Unless they have already done so, candidates for ordination as deacons and priests are to receive the ministries of reader and acolyte and are to exercise them for a suitable time, in order to be better disposed for the future service of the word and of the altar. Dispensation from receiving these ministries on the part of such candidates is reserved to the Holy See.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal

1. If there are several present who are able to exercise the same ministry, nothing forbids their distributing among themselves and performing different parts of the same ministry or duty. For example, one Deacon may be assigned to execute the sung parts, another to serve at the altar; if there are several readings, it is well to distribute them among a number of readers, and the same applies for other matters. However, it is not at all appropriate that several persons divide a single element of the celebration among themselves, e.g., that the same reading be proclaimed by two readers, one after the other, with the exception of the Passion of the Lord.

So I don’t know where you’re getting this stuff about “instituted lectors” when the Church clearly calls them “readers”.

What is the Latin word for “reader”? Oh, it is “lectoratus”. THERE IS NO OTHER WORD IN LATIN FOR “READER”.

Ministeria quaedam

Nonnulla ex his muneribus, cum actione liturgica arctius conexa, praeviae institutiones ad sacrοs ordines recipiendos paulatim habita sunt, ita ut Ostiariatus, Lectoratus, Exorcistatus et Acolythatus minores ordines in Ecclesia Latina appellarentur respectu Subdiaconatus, Diaconatus et Presbyteratus, qui ordines maiores votati sunt et, etsi non ubique, iis generatim reservabantur, qui per illus ad Sacerdotium ascendebant.

 

[Rasoleil]

Don’t quit. I go to a parish where we don’t have missals with the readings in them, so we have to rely on the readers to read the word effectively and clearly. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Some of the readers do not know how to read and/or do not know how to project their voices, so more often than not, the Word of God is not read clearly and in a way that people can understand. I have been reading for six years, and many people thank me for reading clearly and slowly. You are doing everyone a favor in your parish by reading because they can hear and understand the Word of God because you communicate it so clearly.

I wouldn’t pay any mind to the recording. I have recorded myself, too, and I never liked the end result. I think we often tend to be hard on ourselves. I hate hearing my own voice in recordings. Don’t sweat it.

Thank you, and everyone for giving me great advice. Yesterday I was bragging and gloating on myself, and that is where my problems lies. I’ll tell you all what made me feel great during this past Sunday’s readings, I was pretty sure that most of the congregation was looking up at me rather reading along. As I read, I made sure that I looked at every aisle in the church ( we have three), not at the same time, but alternating between whatever I’m reading, and not only that, I also look, scan, slowly, but not jarringly, from the front to the back of each of each particular aisle, or pick certain sections at random, as I read, whatever I feel that I can gage from the congregation on any particular day. And it make it doubly difficult as I scan the entire line, and am able to remember it ( though I do still need to hold my place), and look squarely at the congregation, to get them involved, consciously and/or subconciously. And the technique of speaking is another subject that could take paragraphs, If Regarding my boasting earlier, as I’ve just feel that I’ve done now, eventually I feel totally not worthy, but it’s not a mental issue, but spiritual. I truly appreciate what you and everyone has told me. In fact, just read Saturday vigil, and did pretty well, and I’m, reading tomorrow at 8:00 A.M. for Ash Wednesday. Anyway, it’s tradition or an unwritten rule that anyone who reads on a Saturday, and if there’s a Mass during the week, that person, myself, would do the reading. Well, I decided to just jump into it again, take the challenge, and do it. I have been practicing both reading/proclaiming, aloud and silently, reading the particular scripture in the lectionary, but many verses before and after the actual reading for the day. I also read the introduction to the entire book ( For example, first reading is from Joel), and basically knowing the context in which it was written, as well as the notations. I do adhere to the workbook, but reading from the Good Book itself just makes it so much easier for me. Also, I know the meaning of Ash Wednesday and Lent, of course, but I’m from New Orleans, and I’m sure that many of you know that we have Carnival/Mardi Gras down here, soooooooo, many people do need to have those scripture readings proclaimed to them. That priest on Sunday Night Prime called Catholics at this time are A & P Catholics, meaning attending during Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. I wanted to take on that additional challenge, and hope the church is full, but since many people will be be partying throughout the night, I’m sure if many will actually be there for Mass. Distribution of ashes will be at 12:00 noon. Practicing, at least the proclaiming part, I do have to put more time and effort into it as I most of my childhood I had trouble speaking, and had to attend speech therapy classes. I do tend to talk fast, really, really fast in normal conversations, slurring and mumbling, and maybe part of it due to that my mouth cannot keep up with my brain. Obviously, I practice, practice, and practice and things turn out for the best.

 

[Rasoleil]

Don’t quit. I go to a parish where we don’t have missals with the readings in them, so we have to rely on the readers to read the word effectively and clearly. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Some of the readers do not know how to read and/or do not know how to project their voices, so more often than not, the Word of God is not read clearly and in a way that people can understand. I have been reading for six years, and many people thank me for reading clearly and slowly. You are doing everyone a favor in your parish by reading because they can hear and understand the Word of God because you communicate it so clearly.

I wouldn’t pay any mind to the recording. I have recorded myself, too, and I never liked the end result. I think we often tend to be hard on ourselves. I hate hearing my own voice in recordings. Don’t sweat it.

Thank for for the advice and words of encouragement!

 

[Rasoleil]

Please don’t be discouraged. When people praise your reading, be happy and consider it a confirmation from the Lord, that this is what you should be doing, and that you are using the gift that God has given you. . After a while, after you’ve read a few times, usually people will get used to you and many of the compliments will stop. And then, don’t become discouraged again because of that, but be assured that your strength is in the Lord.

It’s better to try and take yourself out of the picture all together and to pray that both you and your listeners will see this as God’s work and not your own. It’s hard for us all, because we tend to focus on people whom we can see, rather than on God whom we cannot see.

Be encouraged, do not lose hope, but set your eyes on the author and finisher of your faith, our Lord Jesus Christ. Be amazed that He has chosen you to be His spokesperson. WOW! What a privilege you have been given.

Thnak you so much as well for the kind advice and encouragement. I am reading tomorrow morning and being in New Orleans ( Carnival/Mardi Gras ends tonight, at midnight…but people still continue on drinking and partying until daylight, I, ahem, cough, cough know from the past), I hope that the church will be filled, but I am not sure, with the 8 in the morning Mass.

 

[ProVobis]

What is the Latin word for “reader”? Oh, it is “lectoratus”. THERE IS NO OTHER WORD IN LATIN FOR “READER”.

Would that make me the “auditor” (listener)?

 

[utah_rose]

Well, Simca, it happened today. I was the reader and the second reading had a long and short version. I asked Father which reading I should read and he left it up to me. I read the long reading.

I’m a lector too and people praise me for my reading, and I get embarrassed too until I too realized it was a gift and talent from God, and I should use it for him. I can’t sing any more, so that’s out and I wanted to take part in parish activities. But just so I stay humble, a few times I almost tripped. Another time I wore a black slip that was flimsy, and while getting out of the pew, it came off! Luckily we wear a black robe, but the priest definitely saw it, and it was humbling marching out with the black slip in a ball underneath the Missal I had in my hand. Don’t quit. I hate my voice too and believe many of the other lectors read better, and aren’t as nervous as I am. And we usually read the longer version too, but when I’m in the pew, would really rather have the shorter version read.

 

[Reuben_J]

You can be an instituted lector or an un-instituted lector.

Yes.

You can be an instituted reader or an un-instituted reader. No distinction is made by the Church on the basis of the word used.

Yes. Lector = reader. No distinction on the word reader and lector because the function is the same. There is a difference though between one that is instituted.

Instituted lector/reader is not the same as a lector/reader who has not been instituted, though both may read during the mass.

Instituted lectors derived from minor orders for deacons before being ordained to the priesthood, which have been changed to ministries and assigned to lay Catholics. The change was carried out by an apostolic letter, not sure when but sometimes in the last century.

(Canon 1035 Before anyone may be promoted to the diaconate, whether permanent or transitory, he must have received the ministries of lector and acolyte, and have exercised them for an appropriate time.)

Thus instituted lectors have to be men and they must wear the alb when performing their duty (reading).

My mother serves as a lector; lectors in her diocese are supposed to be commissioned but she never attends the commissioning ceremony, so I suppose she is a “renegade lector”.

Not sure how they do it in your parish.

If she was not commissioned, then she was not commissioned. Why would there be a commissioning if that did not make a difference? That by itself implies the special status of the lectors/readers.

 

[Reuben_J]

Yes, here it is. It was apostolic letter, MINISTERIA QUAEDAM from Pope Paul VI

Apostolic Letter given Motu Proprio:
On first tonsure, minor orders, and the subdiaconate
*
Certain ministries were established by the Church even in the most ancient times for the purpose of suitably giving worship to God and for offering service to the people of God according to their needs. By these ministries, the offices to be carried out in the liturgy and the practice of charity, deemed suitable to varying circumstances, were entrusted to the faithful. The conferring of these functions often took place by a special rite, in which, after God’s blessing had been implored, a Christian was established in a special class or rank for the fulfillment of some ecclesiastical function.

Some of these functions, which were more closely connected with the liturgical celebration, slowly came to be considered as a training in preparation for the reception of sacred orders. As a result, the offices of porter, reader, exorcist, and acolyte were called minor orders in the Latin Church in relation to the subdiaconate, diaconate, and priesthood, which were called major orders. Generally, though not every where, these minor orders were reserved to those who received them as steps toward the priesthood.*

ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/p6minors.htm

 

[deaconjohnO]

Lots of Lectors here. My entire diocese 80,000 currently has 11 Lectors at the moment. Must be LOTS of deacon/priest candidates out there.

OK on a serious note if I were a READER at I would never read the shorter version of the readings unless I was instructed to. We must remember that the Homilist may be using part of a reading you omitted to preach from.