Dramatic readings by the lectors

[Aurelia]

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

 

[Beebs]

Aurelia:

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

I think it’s ok if only you are using your voice. no waving arms around.

 

[flamingsword]

Its really annoying.

On the other hand one of the parishes I went to has a lector who is a former radio broadcaster whose voice is richer than Walter Cronkite’s. It was so fitting to have the Word of God proclaimed by him…

 

[netmilsmom]

flamingsword:

Its really annoying.

On the other hand one of the parishes I went to has a lector who is a former radio broadcaster whose voice is richer than Walter Cronkite’s. It was so fitting to have the Word of God proclaimed by him…

Ooooo! We have one of those!
Even the parish announcements sound better when read by him.

 

[m134e5]

Aurelia:

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

It bothers me when they speak like they’re on stage- it also bothers me when they read like someone who is just learning to read (in broken speech). They should just read it- at a normal speed, in a normal voice (not monotone, but not overly dramatic- also it helps if they don’t sound like they smoke 24/7- smokers’ voices drive me crazy) and loud enough to be heard.

 

[allhers]

Aurelia:

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

I find it annoying too, like they are actually the one who wrote it or something and they are trying to impress upon us how great they are. I know what you mean. Can’t they just read it reverently? I don’t care to hear it when its certain people so I say a prayer, thanking God that at least it’s them up there and not me, (I would be tongue tied altogether I am sure), and I read it to myself and pretty much ignore them. Sad isn’t it that even at Mass I have thoughts like that, sometimes I just wish we only had Deacons and Priests doing the readings. At least they always do the Gospel (at least at my Parish anyway, I’ve heard horror stories about other places that are even worse than this.) Perhaps instead I ought to be thanking God for all my blessings.

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

I like it if the lector sounds like (s)he cares about what’s being read and doesn’t speak in a monotone. On the other hand, it’s at Mass, and it’s not supposed to be a dramatic performance, so I don’t like it if the lector sounds like (s)he’s trying out for a role.

 

[SMHW]

I know that the readers at my parish are instructed to proclaim the readings. As I understand it, this means to put a certain emphasis into the voice -almost a kind of urgency- to show that this is important. So in that sense the readings are to be dramatic. But the reader is not to be a voice actor as if this were a radio play or a book on CD playing various parts.

 

[YinYangMom]

Lectors are supposed to be trained to read the Word with respect and reverence. As SHMC pointed out “proclaim” it, emphasizing a sense of urgency when the reading calls for it. They are not to dramatize the readings.

They may use tone, inflection, volume to set apart important quotes from the rest of the story but they are never to assume the roles of the characters mentioned.

The Word is. It needs no embellishing. The Holy Spirit speaks through the lector when all things are right. And the Holy Spirit helps each person in the church receive the Word in the manner appropriate for him/her. So basically, the lector kind of ‘channels’ the Word to the people. The faithful should not be able to really distinguish who is reading because they are intent upon the Word so much that they only hear the Holy Spirit, regardless of whether the reader is male, female, young, old.

When you have a lector who animates the readings then one questions whether or not the reader is doing so as a performance/exhibition of his/her presentation skills or whether or not the reader is truly moved by the Spirit to be so animated.

It’s interesting how some of the most humble, quiet people of the parish get at that podium and read so clearly, reverently and loud enough for all to hear, even over the crying children. When that happens, it’s beautiful. You can almost see the Spirit working through this person up there, and then you glance ever so slightly up at the crucifix and you ‘know’ He is here in the room with you.

That’s not to say all lectors who dramatize their readings aren’t being moved by the Spirit to do so, but I’d question it because the Church instruction to lectors specifically state not to do so.

 

[Forest-Pine]

I like hearing the Word proclaimed when it sounds like it is actually being spoken to me. I find it difficult to follow when spoken flatly, broken, with no emphasis, etc. Sadly, that is the norm in most places I’ve been.

I was a lector many years ago. I received no training of any sort. I made a point of reviewing my readings in advance, asking how to pronounce any names or places I did not know, and I read the bulletin names right before Mass started to make sure I knew how to say each of the names. I swear most of the lectors I see have never read the reading before stepping up to the ambo, and it shows in their readings.

I think the mark of a good lector (which I in no way claim) is when people do not notice the lector at all and can easily concentrate on the message.

Unfortunately, a priest I know is the absolute worst. Vestments do not miraculously make one a wonderful public speaker or give one a beautiful tone of voice.

 

[Lorrie]

Aurelia:

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

I tend to find it annoying too. The lectors at my parish are never dramatic, always low key and reverent. I attended another parish once before where one of the lectors was all fired up - it felt as though I was in a protestant church. Needless to say, I didn’t go back.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

Hmmmm…never thought about it before. But, now that you mention it, we must have pretty good lectors at our parish. I haven’t noticed anyone being over dramatic or boring, lol.

Now, if we could just get a bit more talent in the music ministry…

Malia

 

[stargazer257]

I am not for “Dramatic,” but I am for “Projected.” The readings, I feel, should be clear and directed. The difference may be subtle. The lector should not be there to “perform.” They should be there to “proclaim” the word of God to the congregation. And I find that when it is proclaimed, more of the congregation pays attention to it (including me).

Just like the music should not be highlighting the musicians/choir; the focus should be on serving God with their talents (hence we shouldn’t be doing any piano/organ/guitar/etc. solos, etc., but that’s just my opinion). Let the Celebrant(s) put the spotlight on them at the end of Mass. I will applaud them for their serving the Lord with thier time and talents every time.

All that being said, we must be careful not to judge one’s intents to quickly. What one person may find too dramatic may really be a lector serving God unselfishly in their heart. God knows the difference, God knows the intent.

Peace,

SG257

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I have two goals as a lector 1)praise and worship GOD 2) help those in attendence praise and worship GOD. I do change cadence, volume if it is clear that that is what should be done. Some things are obviously more important than other. The hardest part is to get the volume correct. In our church it is very easy to say your P’s and B’s to loud. Lastly I love to hear people’s opinion of my reading if one has the goals above the lector should have no problem with constructive comments.

ps I don’t wave my arms, pound the ambo, walk about or have saliva projected from my mouth as the people who rant do

 

[Scotty_PGH]

Aurelia:

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

Thankfully at the TLM this is a non-issue.

 

[Forest-Pine]

Scotty PGH:

Thankfully at the TLM this is a non-issue.

How? It doesn’t seem to me that a priest doing the reading changes his ability for public speaking.

 

[mercygate]

This is always a point of consideration for a reader (we’re not Lectors unless we’re male and commissioned by the diocese). I pray the passages for the week before reading on Sunday, and I try to read with consideration of the sense.

I was flattered at a weekday Mass when the celebrant (a retired bishop) referenced the reading in his homily and added, “which we have just heard so intelligently read.”

I find it painful when it is obvious that a reader is merely reading the words and has no interior sense of what they are saying. While the expectation is that the Holy Spirit will supply the congregation with the gift of understanding no matter how poor the reading, his job is made much more difficult when readers have not done their homework.

 

[a_pilgrim]

In the Byzantine Catholic Church the readings are not read, but always chanted, according to an age-old prescribed melodic chant (much like the Gregorian Chant you may be familiar with). Aside from being an awe-inspiring, glorious way in which to proclaim the Word, the chanting of the readings has a more practical aspect - the adherence to this ancient melodic formula completely negates the ability of the reader to impose his own inflections and emphasis upon the text.

 

[David_Zampino]

Aurelia:

How are the lectors at your parish? We have a few who like to get really dramatic with the readings at Mass. Do you think this enhances the readings? (As for me, I find it annoying.)

I find it annoying and inappropriate as well. The readings should be read clearly and distinctly and without monotone – but not as oratory! I find problematic anything which distracts from the actual proclamation of the Word.

To the same end, I find it equally inappropriate when the Celebrant, whether by dramatic gestures or whatever causes the focus to be directed toward him, rather than toward the Sacrifice.

Before I converted, I served in the ministry in another Christian body. I attended a very “high-church” Anglican seminary. Sadly, some of the students actually made fun of how some of the seminary clergy presided at the liturgy; the inflections and dramatic gestures were so over-the-top.

Just my two cents worth . . .

 

[aurora77]

Forest-Pine:

I think the mark of a good lector (which I in no way claim) is when people do not notice the lector at all and can easily concentrate on the message.

That’s the approach I take when I read at Mass. I hope that I can convey the Word of God well enough that people get something from it; I’m not up there to be the center of attention.