Is anyone here a reader at Mass?

[CatholicZ09]

I would like to know who here is a reader at Mass. I am thinking of becoming one, and I want to know…was your first time reading really scary? Were you afraid that the microphone was too close/too far away? Those are some of my fears if I become one.

Last year on Good Friday, when they were reading the Passion, one lady was reading a part and she lost some of the pages of her readings. I would die if that happened to me. I felt so bad for her. Someone else reading had to read her parts.

 

[Phemie]

I’m a reader and have been one in 6 or 7 different parishes (we moved a lot). I remember being terrified the first couple of time I read and it was always that way when I started in a new parish. At times I worried my knees had turned to gelatin since they felt so wobbly.

One thing we do in our parish is invite all new readers to feel free to come to the church with a friend and practice working with the mic so that they become comfortable with it. Only a few have taken us up on the offer but they became comfortable much faster by getting feedback from a friend who would give creative criticism.

I feel sorry for the woman reading the Passion but really, what was she doing up there with loose pages?? That is inappropriate for any reading. Our readers are all provided with appropriately coloured binders any time they have to read using something other than the Lectionary.

This year we are lucky and the CCCB has had hard cover volumes of the Passion Readings published in time for Palm Sunday. We have a copy for each reader: one for the Narrator, one for the Priest and one for whoever is reading the other responses. This new Canadian translation has no provision for the congregation to give responses, allowing us to actually listen instead of following along to be ready to jump in with responses.

 

[Palaeologos]

Last year on Good Friday, when they were reading the Passion, one lady was reading a part and she lost some of the pages of her readings. I would die if that happened to me. I felt so bad for her. Someone else reading had to read her parts.

Laypeople are allowed to read the Passion? Er, that’s the Gospel, isn’t it?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Laypeople are allowed to read the Passion? Er, that’s the Gospel, isn’t it?

From Paschales Solemnitatis:

1. The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the parts of Christ, the narrator and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, **or by lay readers. **In the latter case, the part of Christ should be reserved to the priest. source]

 

[Pacbox]

I am a reader as well and have been for many years. I started as a reader back in elementary school (school Mass, each grade starting with 4th grade (?) (I don’t remember exactly) took care of the Mass for that week (readers, choice of Music, altar servers, Prayers of the Faithful). So I was “volunteered” (read the teacher made me do it) one week. I don’t remember being scared or anything. The next time I was asked as teenager and did it till I went off to college. I’ve been a reader at my parish for the last five years though I’m not sure I’m going to be doing it next year.

With my parish, they have those who want to be Readers (or EMHCs) go to a training. You get to practice with the microphone at the ambo. And for the Passion, they have binders with the reading and your sections highlighted (I know because for two years I was the narrator for the reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday) (way the schedule worked out).

 

[marytk]

The first time I read at Mass I was very glad to be behind the Ambo. My knees were actually shaking. If you need to be closer to the mike someone will let you know. It is a wonderful way to serve and it is a true honor

 

[amdannemiller]

I am a reader…and I’ve had some interesting experiences! One time when I read, I read the WRONG reading! Another time when I was reading the petitions, I started reading the SAME petition AGAIN! When I realized I started reading the same petition over, I APOLOGIZED to the WHOLE CONGREGATION! LOL! I nearly died! The time that I read after that mistake, I was so nervous that I was shaking like a leaf! Now when I read, I am still somewhat nervous, but I believe that it will stop after I read enough times. Reading is not so bad at all. Just remember that by reading you are doing GOD’S work. Also saying a small prayer beforehand to Mary and the Lord for courage and that you will do well reading is also very helpful!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I used to read at the Saturday morning mass, but now just substitute when needed. My health is such that I can’t be sure of getting there every morning.

My worst error was on the Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent, when I forgot to note that it was the Feast of the Annunciation. The priest did his best to cover for me and to adapt his homily to what I had read. I thanked him, but he shouldn’t have bothered. Everyone saw that I did one reading where there were two listed, and the Psalm response didn’t fit. These things help one to develop humility.

Each Monday morning Senior year in high school two or three seniors had to give a five minute speech to the entire school assembly, grades 7-12, about 300 or so people. It was believed that once we had done that we would never fear giving another speech. It helped to realize that all the other seniors had to do it too, so they were in the same boat. And who cared what the rest thought, their turn would come in future years.

The speech that bothered me most was presenting a proposal to a three star general. No one told me that the decision had already been made, and I was just window dressing to provide the justification.

 

[Another_Mary]

I read at my church, but we usually have only 30-or-so people.

Our Archdiocese offers training, but I haven’t taken it (yet). I do it as a sort of penance because I was away from the church for years and feel I have a lot to make up for. I find reading in front of even a small group quite daunting. But it has become easier with time.

I practice the reading and look at several different sources of the same reading. That has helped me to greater understanding of the readings. There are resources online for pronouncing biblical names.

Our church is a mission church. For a special celebration I was asked to help with the prayers of the faithful at our large parish church–they were having six or seven people read in languages representing the various ethnic groups in the parish. I was English and I only had to read one line. There were several hundred people at the Mass…my voice quavered and I stumbled over several words. But I guess I would do it again if asked. Maybe practice more and have a sip of water first.

Come on over to Mass at my church if you want to practice in front of a small group!

 

[fbl9]

I have been among the rotation of readers at my little parish for 4yrs or so.The only thing i worry about is my stupid tongue tripping on God’s holy word and making a mess out of it.So i pray that i don’t do that, yet God lets a little humility shine my way. I did enjoy reading when i first started to read still do.

 

[Phemie]

I have been among the rotation of readers at my little parish for 4yrs or so.The only thing i worry about is my stupid tongue tripping on God’s holy word and making a mess out of it.So i pray that i don’t do that, yet God lets a little humility shine my way. I did enjoy reading when i first started to read still do.

My worst fumble was the Advent that I was reading Isaiah 11 and instead of “a shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse” I read “a shoot will sprout from the rump of Jesse”. Nobody seemed to notice so I didn’t correct it and managed to maintain my composure. Unfortunately, during the consecration I had a visual of what I’d read and it was all I could do not to laugh out loud.

I’m thankful that so far, in at least 20 years as a reader that’s been my only major faux pas.

 

[Janet1983]

I would like to know who here is a reader at Mass. I am thinking of becoming one, and I want to know…was your first time reading really scary? Were you afraid that the microphone was too close/too far away? Those are some of my fears if I become one.

Last year on Good Friday, when they were reading the Passion, one lady was reading a part and she lost some of the pages of her readings. I would die if that happened to me. I felt so bad for her. Someone else reading had to read her parts.

Well I used to be. I was really extremely nervous when I started out and I went ahead, found the text that I was going to read and pre-read it a lot before I actually had to read it in front of others. It took me a little bit to actually start it in the first place. And during the first couple of times I had a couple of hangers here and there. (I was more harsh with me on my mistakes than the others, so I guess it was alright… I was just a beginner after all.)
I started out reading during the week and then when I got more familiar with reading in front of everybody I started reading on Sundays. I prepared myself for reading the text every time though. Once I was good with that too I agreed to reading the Passion.
When I started reading in Mass I had to have feedback after I did so and because the congregation was very patient with me when I was reading during the week I could ask and find out whether I was reading too fast, too far from the microphone or too close, too loud or not loud enough.
I ended up being a slow to moderately fast reader with a precise pronunciation and a clear strong voice. Some of our senior members actually sometimes came to me telling me that they appreciated the fact that they could understand what I said because I was slow enough. It didn’t look like that when I started, but practice makes perfect as you know.
It took me about a year to be completely secure in it, but I think it was worth it.

 

[smelliott417]

I would like to know who here is a reader at Mass. I am thinking of becoming one, and I want to know…was your first time reading really scary?

Scary indeed. It gets easier, though. Don’t worry so much about making mistakes, everyone does, occasionally. I’m now one of the cantors/songleaders at our parish. Last Saturday, I lost focus during the Mass and turned two pages instead of one and started singing the Angus Dei instead of the Pater Noster. Not an easy mistake to make but I did it. Woke a bunch of people up.

Some tips:

1. Practice, practice, practice. Try to get to the church during the week and practice with the mics if you can. It will sound loud in the empty church but bodies absorb a lot of sound.
2. Study to understand the message. There are guides to help you understand what your are reading and how to pronounce the words. If you don’t understand what you are saying your listeners won’t either.
3. Speak slowly, somewhat louder than your normal voice, to project to the back pews, enunciate clearly, and make eye contact, you know all the things you learned in high school speech.
4. Say a prayer that the Holy Spirit will use your voice to spread the Word to your listeners and that he will also inspire your audience to listen and understand as well.
   5 Check your zipper.

God Bless

 

[Moscati]

My worst fumble was the Advent that I was reading Isaiah 11 and instead of “a shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse” I read “a shoot will sprout from the rump of Jesse”. Nobody seemed to notice so I didn’t correct it and managed to maintain my composure. Unfortunately, during the consecration I had a visual of what I’d read and it was all I could do not to laugh out loud.

I’m thankful that so far, in at least 20 years as a reader that’s been my only major faux pas.

This made me laugh out loud and wake my roommate up. Thanks.

The worst I’ve ever seen is one time we did the Litany of the Saints right after Mass. Since they had just announced it, everyone stayed, and the church was still very full. The reader did wonderfully, up until he got to the “That Thou wouldst vouchsafe . . .” He stumbled over it in a different way on every single line. The relief when that part was over was palpable!

 

[srlucado]

I would like to know who here is a reader at Mass. I am thinking of becoming one, and I want to know…was your first time reading really scary? Were you afraid that the microphone was too close/too far away? Those are some of my fears if I become one.

I was pretty nervous my first time, but I’ve done some professional narration, so I wasn’t too worried; my biggest concern was that I’d miss my “cue” to approach the altar.

 

[jwedeking]

I’ve been a lector for over 10 years, and love doing it. I can say that many do not prepare themselves. They mis-pronounce words and many do not speak up even when the mic is in their face, and almost all never look up at the congregation, they only look down at their reading, and some still manage to loose their place.

My suggestion is to practice your readings ahead of time. Don’t be afraid of projecting your voice, and use one hand as a guide so that you can look up at the congregation w/o loosing your place.

Make use of the Lectionary guide for Lectors or you can even use the internet.

God Bless you;

Jim

 

[fbl9]

I’ve been a lector for over 10 years, and love doing it. I can say that many do not prepare themselves. They mis-pronounce words and many do not speak up even when the mic is in their face, and almost all never look up at the congregation, they only look down at their reading, and some still manage to loose their place.

My suggestion is to practice your readings ahead of time. Don’t be afraid of projecting your voice, and use one hand as a guide so that you can look up at the congregation w/o loosing your place.

Make use of the Lectionary guide for Lectors or you can even use the internet.

God Bless you;

Jim

Good advice,myself i like to read the reading a few times before i am scheduled to read…i never thought of the idea of using a finger for guide when i look up…i try too, look up, but loose my place sometimes.

 

[churchsecretary]

Hi,
Although I am not a reader, I am a cantor–& the first few times I was truly scared out of my wits. My musical director told me several things: take several deep breaths before going before the ambo, & make sure that you PRACTICE what you are going to sing (in your case, what you are going to read).

My Dad is a reader & always reads over the readings several times before Mass.

I also always ask my guardian angel to be with me–& also the Blessed Mother. I know they’re at Mass anyway, so I figure, why not ask for their help?

One last thing: offer your reading up as a prayer to the Almighty!

The more you do it, the easier it gets.

 

[fbl9]

Hi,
Although I am not a reader, I am a cantor–& the first few times I was truly scared out of my wits. My musical director told me several things: take several deep breaths before going before the ambo, & make sure that you PRACTICE what you are going to sing (in your case, what you are going to read).

My Dad is a reader & always reads over the readings several times before Mass.

I also always ask my guardian angel to be with me–& also the Blessed Mother. I know they’re at Mass anyway, so I figure, why not ask for their help?

One last thing: offer your reading up as a prayer to the Almighty!

The more you do it, the easier it gets.

Once when i was a reader i was supposed sing the psalm but read it instead. Our pastor asked why i didn’t sing…i tried to convey to him my voice would have scarred everyone there.I wanted to procalim God’s word, so i was too happy to be nervous.(to be the reader)

 

[Advocatus_Fidei]

First time is the hardest, once you get past that it gets easier. Pray for help from God and try and practice with the microphone at a time when the church is empty if at all possible.

I hated doing it and still do, offer it up lol