Children Lecturing at Mass

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LiveforChrist

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Recently, my parish decided that they were going to let children and young adult that have not been confirmed read at Sunday mass. This upsets me greatly because I had to wait until I was confirmed to be able to read. I feel like this should be a job for only those who have been confirmed, as a special privelge for those of us that are adults in the faith. Any thoughts?

God Bless,
LiveForChrist :signofcross:
 
i think you need to change the title of the thread, to avoid confusion. I don’t think you mean ‘lecturing’ but ‘lectoring’. ‘Lecturing’ means giving a lecture, or, colloquially, telling someone the error of their ways.

But even lectoring wouldn’t be correct, since children can’t be instituted as lectors before 18, IIRC. Just use the word ‘reading’.
 
LiveforChrist said:
Recently, my parish decided that they were going to let children and young adult that have not been confirmed read at Sunday mass. This upsets me greatly because I had to wait until I was confirmed to be able to read. I feel like this should be a job for only those who have been confirmed, as a special privelge for those of us that are adults in the faith. Any thoughts?

God Bless,
LiveForChrist :signofcross:
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I strongly suggest you reflect on Matthew 20:1-16 and use this as an opportunity to grow up a little.
 
I have no problem with them reading in mass. Why not get them involved in the parish while young? We need to be looking for appropriate ways to get our children invested in the liturgy, and I think this is a wonderful way to do that.
 
mommyof4 said:
I have no problem with them reading in mass. Why not get them involved in the parish while young? We need to be looking for appropriate ways to get our children invested in the liturgy, and I think this is a wonderful way to do that.
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👍

I agree whole-heartedly!!!

I find it very encouraging to have young people read at the mass, and especially if they are good at reading in public, and can effectively proclaim the Word of God!

It sounds like the OP feels that just because he/she experienced one thing, everybody must go through the same experience. This is the same reasoning behind hazing, and why it was so hard to get rid of it once it begins.
 
All opinions aside, is it kosher to have children and non-confirmed persons doing the readings at Mass? Does anyone know? I’m interested.
 
LiveforChrist said:
Recently, my parish decided that they were going to let children and young adult that have not been confirmed read at Sunday mass. This upsets me greatly because I had to wait until I was confirmed to be able to read. I feel like this should be a job for only those who have been confirmed, as a special privelge for those of us that are adults in the faith. Any thoughts?

God Bless,
LiveForChrist :signofcross:
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I think a complete answer to this has several levels. Keep in mind that the Church reserves the sacraments of vocation to those who have been confirmed, as well as (please God) the service of extraordinary minister, but as a young teen I was occasionally asked to read at youth masses and that may have planted the seed in me to become a fervent lector and serve as an adult for over 20 years.
If your parish is inviting minors to read regularly as a defined role I hope that they are being trained to realize the dignity and seriousness of serving as the voice of God to the people of God.
In your case, if you are feeling a lack of appreciation or respect in your Parish I hope that you can resolve that, with the sympathetic support of your Pastor, at best.
 
opus101 said:
All opinions aside, is it kosher to have children and non-confirmed persons doing the readings at Mass? Does anyone know? I’m interested.
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This is what the General Instruction of the Roman Missal says:
  1. In the absence of an instituted lector, other lay people may be deputed to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, people who are truly suited to carrying out this function and carefully prepared, so that by their hearing the readings from the sacred texts the faithful may conceive in their hearts a sweet and living affection for Sacred Scripture.
It doesn’t give an age restriction here, though perhaps there are some general age restrictions in another liturgical document that I am not aware of. And of course individual dioceses may have their own policies about that.
 
Nothing wrong with it! Sometimes boys who are training to be servers, start off reading.
 
In our diocese, you have to be confirmed. I think it’s wise, as I doubt younger lectors would be very good at it.

Technically, it’s called ‘proclaiming’. Love that word.
 
svid2 said:
In our diocese, you have to be confirmed. I think it’s wise, as I doubt younger lectors would be very good at it.

Technically, it’s called ‘proclaiming’. Love that word.
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Our diocese confirms when the children are in the 3rd grade, so really, for us, this is not a problem. I really enjoy the “restored order” of the sacraments of initiation that we have here.
 
LiveforChrist said:
Recently, my parish decided that they were going to let children and young adult that have not been confirmed read at Sunday mass. This upsets me greatly because I had to wait until I was confirmed to be able to read. I feel like this should be a job for only those who have been confirmed, as a special privelge for those of us that are adults in the faith. Any thoughts?

God Bless,
LiveForChrist :signofcross:
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I don’t understand why this would upset you greatly. Many parishes have problems getting readers. I don’t think it should be a “special privelge” but something open to all who are able. We are all called to serve. I am more concerned that the person doing the reading speak clearly, annuciate properly and evidence having prepared before hand by reading the readings and having learning to pronouce any words that they don’t know. As long as the person can properly fulfill the role–and unless cannon law prohibits–I don’t see why the age of the reader should matter. The fact that you had to wait until you were confirmed should not leave you angry that at your parish this is no longer the case. Things change.

Peace,
Mark
 
There’s lots of adults who mumble through the readings, and there’s lots of kids who are wonderful, bright, articulate readers.

I say get rid of the bad readers, and don’t worry about their age.
 
I think it is wonderful that children read. They often do it far better than mumbling adults.

“let the little children come to me”…some really important guy said something along those lines…who are we to stop them?

It “upsets you greatly”? Why? You should be thrilled that young people want to be involved!
 
No, I think it’s great. Before I was confirmed, I had to have 6 hours of liturgical volunteering. I was a lector three times. I enjoyed it a lot. I would like to be a lector again some day. I would never have known that I liked it unless I had been given the opportunity.
 
svid2 said:
In our diocese, you have to be confirmed. I think it’s wise, as I doubt younger lectors would be very good at it.

Technically, it’s called ‘proclaiming’. Love that word.
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As long as they prepare and reherse properly, it is not a problem, and kids as young as eight years old take it very seriously. Many kids take it more seriously than do many regular adult lectors, some of whom show up late or don’t show up at all or don’t rehearse.

Many who do take it seriously however, both young and old, just don’t have the gift. My daughter read for her school Mass on the feast of the Immaculate Conception and did wonderfully. Just don’t ask her to sing. :rolleyes:

There are great resources for preparation. Our parish uses this workbook. It is an excellent guide and with a little practice and rehersal, many kids can be excellent readers.

-Tim-
 
At our parish we have young people read at the 10 am Family Mass. We are very blessed to have some excellent readers. I don’t know their ages but one is very small and stands on a stool to reach the lectern - he has a lovely clear voice and and it is obvious he has taken this job seriously and reads very well.

It’s sad that the OP is upset - having young people willing to take part in the liturgy should be an occasion for rejoicing and they should be supported.
 
LiveforChrist said:
Recently, my parish decided that they were going to let children and young adult that have not been confirmed read at Sunday mass. This upsets me greatly because I had to wait until I was confirmed to be able to read. I feel like this should be a job for only those who have been confirmed, as a special privelge for those of us that are adults in the faith. Any thoughts?

God Bless,
LiveForChrist :signofcross:
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The Church considers one an adult in the Faith at age 7.
 
opus101 said:
All opinions aside, is it kosher to have children and non-confirmed persons doing the readings at Mass? Does anyone know? I’m interested.
Click to expand...
There is actually no age for readers, the proper term. A young peson could procalim the word, the same instruction and training should be given to them as to adults.

Dcn. FAB
 
Big_Feet said:
Our diocese confirms when the children are in the 3rd grade, so really, for us, this is not a problem. I really enjoy the “restored order” of the sacraments of initiation that we have here.
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The “restored” order would be baptism, charismatic/confirmation, communion (on the same day)’ and then confession.

hawk
 
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