Lector tips?

[ATeNumquam]

Yes.

Many tend to rush through a sentence and blur or run words together. This can make it harder for the listeners to understand. The words should be distinct and there should be a slight pause between each phase or line. The pauses should not be drawn out, but should act as a short time for the listeners to absorb what was said (say 1/4 to 1/2 a second).

This is also where you can find the best places to breath naturally. When you rush through you can start to run out of breath, so look for natural places to breath and be aware if you have a long phrase coming up you might need to take a half breath during the inter phrase pause so that you don’t gasp for breath in mid sentence. It is not just reading the words, but also should maintain a consistent rhythm without running words together. This is why you need to practice.

Looking at today’s reading from Philippians would take me around 37-40 seconds, but rushing through it might take 25-30 seconds. This is an example of where I would pauses and perhaps take a breath.

A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians <longer pause - breath>

Brothers and sisters: <pause - half breath>
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy, *<pause - *half breath>
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing. *<pause - *breath>
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; *<pause - *half breath>
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also everyone for those of others. *<longer pause - **breath>

*The word of the Lord.

This one is a little easier since there are numerous commas, periods and colons, but other times there will be a break mid sentence that should still have a short pause (maybe half of what a comma above would get). I generally think of line ends as a half beat, a comma as a half beat, a colon as a whole beat and a period as 1.5 beats. I then mentally add them together (e.g. a comma mid line is a half beat, but a comma at the end of a line is a full beat). It’s not that exact, but it’s more how I try to set my pacing.

Also make sure you know how to pronounce any unfamiliar words or names and practice them several times. There are a number of audio and video resources online to help hear how to pronounce them if you are more auditory than visual. You can always ask the priest or deacon if you are unsure, but it’s better to know it days rather than minutes before you read. Personally I try to run through the readings a couple of times a week and a half or two in advance so that I have time to correct any pronunciation difficulties.

Finally, this is probably subjective, but you need to strike a balance between reading a farm report and giving a dramatic recitation. I for one find “dramatic readings” to be rather distracting, but I know others that love them. It is not like voice acting where you need to project emotion, but also shouldn’t be a wooden delivery. A lector should have a love of scripture and your love for scripture should be evident in a reverent reading where the words, rather than the lector, takes central place.

Don’t be nervous. Many of this things just take time until they become second nature. The more you practice and read in Mass the easier it becomes.

Excellent reply, and practical, also. As a lector myself I’d say you have covered everything
The “too dramatic” delivery is just as distracting and irritating (IMO) as the mumbled, head-down one.It’s good to look up at the congregation as and when you are able (maybe not easy for a beginner) because you are proclaiming God’s word to, and for, them.

 

[Wendy1989]

I’ve found the following in my many years as a Lector:

1. Get a concensus on pronounciation. Example: Siloam. I actually heard this pronouced 4 different ways on one Sunday (attended 2 Masses for ministry stuff). I’m glad I didn’t go to the Vigil Mass on Saturday - or it would have been 5! Okay, so it may not be the ‘correct’ pronounciation - at least everyone (Lector & Homilest) are on the same page.
2. Make sure the Lectionary is open to the correct readings for that Mass. Also, double check with Father if there are long/short versions of readings or which option is to be read. Some parishes have a scheduler that will tell you in advance and sometimes, you just gotta ask Father that day! This can happen when you have a visiting or substitute Priest. :whacky:
3. Don’t wear shoes or clothes (skirt, slacks too long, etc…) you’re not sure of. Most of the time, you have to climb a couple steps somewhere to reach the Ambo. One woman made the mistake one Easter of wearing skinny-heeled shoes that got caught on the step.
4. Until you’re more skilled, follow with your finger! You can memorize all you want but a certain amount of ‘stagefright’ tends to kick in. It’s okay to do that. Don’t track like you’re in 1st grade, but figure out something for yourself that won’t be distracting. Nothing worse than losing your place then realizing you missed an entire paragraph after you sit down. True story - watched it happen. Of course, that was a paragraph the homily emphasized. :doh2:
5. Pray and take a deep breath before you speak. Sometimes I do both. I breathe in saying “Come Holy Spirit” and exhale “Be with me”, silently.

 

[Reuben_J]

I’ve found the following in my many years as a Lector:

1. Get a concensus on pronounciation. Example: Siloam. I actually heard this pronouced 4 different ways on one Sunday (attended 2 Masses for ministry stuff). I’m glad I didn’t go to the Vigil Mass on Saturday - or it would have been 5! Okay, so it may not be the ‘correct’ pronounciation - at least everyone (Lector & Homilest) are on the same page.
2. Make sure the Lectionary is open to the correct readings for that Mass. Also, double check with Father if there are long/short versions of readings or which option is to be read. Some parishes have a scheduler that will tell you in advance and sometimes, you just gotta ask Father that day! This can happen when you have a visiting or substitute Priest. :whacky:
3. Don’t wear shoes or clothes (skirt, slacks too long, etc…) you’re not sure of. Most of the time, you have to climb a couple steps somewhere to reach the Ambo. One woman made the mistake one Easter of wearing skinny-heeled shoes that got caught on the step.
4. Until you’re more skilled, follow with your finger! You can memorize all you want but a certain amount of ‘stagefright’ tends to kick in. It’s okay to do that. Don’t track like you’re in 1st grade, but figure out something for yourself that won’t be distracting. Nothing worse than losing your place then realizing you missed an entire paragraph after you sit down. True story - watched it happen. Of course, that was a paragraph the homily emphasized. :doh2:
5. Pray and take a deep breath before you speak. Sometimes I do both. I breathe in saying “Come Holy Spirit” and exhale “Be with me”, silently.

Hi Wendy. Your point 4 may scare off our rookie lector.

Good post. How true. ‘Stage fright’ can do unbelievable thing. If it happens, a lector’s hope would perhaps that the congregation do not notice the blunder.

God bless.

 

[Rasoleil]

Practically every advice that every one has given you thus far. I try to remain humble, yet confident at the same time. I pray to The Holy Spirit and all the Trinity, and the Blessed Virgin Mary for guidance while proclaiming the scriptures. I did read with some emotion and it came from the heart ( reading the actual word of God can be an overwhelming experience). I did show some emotion and cried a little during Mass because of the awe-inspiring experience. We cannot do it alone, and to me, it is the Holy Spirit that speaks through as as we proclaim the scriptures. Those are God’s word’s, and we are merely the messengers. The priest said that I did an excellent job at reading, and though I was thankful, I had to humble myself because I am not worthy.

 

[Qoeleth]

The advice I give to new readers is- ‘slow and loud’.

Maybe only about 5% or readers naturally project their voices enough (normally people like school teachers).

Seldom will you hear a reader who is TOO loud or TOO slow (think about it…). So, tend towards these things, and you can’t go wrong. Imagine there is no microphone too…

This is very basic advice- but accounts for the vast majority of problems in reading.

 

[CatholicZ09]

A good piece of advice that someone gave me and that I always try to remember is to read slower when the reading is shorter. The congregation needs time to process what is being proclaimed, and if you read the short reading too fast, they won’t be able to process what has been proclaimed. Take, for example, the reading from Malachi from two weeks ago - “Lo, the day is coming…” The reading was two verses long, and it needed to be read slowly so that the congregation could process what was being read. Don’t be deceived; smaller readings often contain more information than longer readings, so be careful on your pacing.

I have been a reader for six years, and it has been very rewarding. I have grown to love the Word of God even more!

 

[psalm90]

there was a lector in a predominantly Polish American parish.

There is a legitimate Polish surname “Mika” pronounced “meekah”

But when he got up to read the OT reading from the prophet Micah (“MY KAH”) it came out as “meekah”

I volunteered to read one of the readings at a weekday Mass but with only a minute for preparation. Lesson: NEVER VOLUNTEER. The reading was an entire page, and I couldn’t get the sense of it when I read it through to myself, so I think it was incomprehensible when I tried to read it aloud, putting emphasis where it might not have been appropriate.

 

[Glennon_P]

I volunteered to read one of the readings at a weekday Mass but with only a minute for preparation. Lesson: NEVER VOLUNTEER. The reading was an entire page, and I couldn’t get the sense of it when I read it through to myself, so I think it was incomprehensible when I tried to read it aloud, putting emphasis where it might not have been appropriate.

Once when I was in college, I was drafted at the last minute to read at Mass. It just so happened it was Wednesday of the fifth week of Lent and the reading was the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being sentenced to die in the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. Try hitting all those names cold! :bigyikes:

 

[DaveBj]

there was a lector in a predominantly Polish American parish.

There is a legitimate Polish surname “Mika” pronounced “meekah”

But when he got up to read the OT reading from the prophet Micah (“MY KAH”) it came out as "meekah"

I volunteered to read one of the readings at a weekday Mass but with only a minute for preparation. Lesson: NEVER VOLUNTEER. The reading was an entire page, and I couldn’t get the sense of it when I read it through to myself, so I think it was incomprehensible when I tried to read it aloud, putting emphasis where it might not have been appropriate.

“Mee-kah” is actually the correct pronunciation. “My-kah” is the Anglicized pronunciation, and the prophet would not have recognized that as his name.

 

[Dorothy]

“Mee-kah” is actually the correct pronunciation. “My-kah” is the Anglicized pronunciation, and the prophet would not have recognized that as his name.

Live and learn!

Actually, proclaimers, such as myself, need to read the reading and look up pronunciations in advance. After a few years most pronunciations are memorized. Of course, sometimes while being up and doing the reading it is easy to mispronounce a name. If you can’t think of the correct way to say it, just keep on going without hesitating. We shouldn’t be stuttering and hesitating while doing the reading as it is distracting to the congregation.

 

[DaveBj]

Live and learn!

**Actually, proclaimers, such as myself, need to read the reading and look up pronunciations in advance. ** After a few years most pronunciations are memorized. Of course, sometimes while being up and doing the reading it is easy to mispronounce a name. If you can’t think of the correct way to say it, just keep on going without hesitating. We shouldn’t be stuttering and hesitating while doing the reading as it is distracting to the congregation.

I used to dread sitting through the Gospel reading of Matthew’s genealogy during the Christmas season – whichever of the two older deacons that we had would stumble and bumble their way through the names. The a couple new deacons were ordained, and the first time one of them had the reading, he nailed every name. I made a point of complimenting him on it, and he laughed and said, “I had a cheat sheet.”

 

[TheAmazingGrace]

I got asked at my parish to lector, and went through the training today. Does anyone have extra tips?

Remember to breathe. I tend to forget, and then choke on words.

 

[goout]

This. A lector should learn to speak at what seems like a painfully slow pace, deliberately and with adequate volume. This is hard to do when you are nervous, because when you are nervous you do not breathe deeply and you rush to finish the sentence for fear of running out of gas.

And talk in to the microphone. Take the time before you begin to grab the microphone and move it to your mouth.
It’s a good idea to go to the Church empty and work the space. Turn the microphone on and hear your voice in the space. Get a feel for what adequate volume is. It can be intimidating to step to a live mic for the first time and hear your voice over the whole room, in front of a crowd.

 

[fbl9]

This. A lector should learn to speak at what seems like a painfully slow pace, deliberately and with adequate volume. This is hard to do when you are nervous, because when you are nervous you do not breathe deeply and you rush to finish the sentence for fear of running out of gas.

And talk in to the microphone. Take the time before you begin to grab the microphone and move it to your mouth.
It’s a good idea to go to the Church empty and work the space. Turn the microphone on and hear your voice in the space. Get a feel for what adequate volume is. It can be intimidating to step to a live mic for the first time and hear your voice over the whole room, in front of a crowd.

Yeah the first time i heard my voice from a mic it shocked/scared me.Wow am i that loud.

 

[Jamie_Burns]

Remember to breathe. I tend to forget, and then choke on words.

Breathing should be intentional; just as a singer-when practicing-strategizes when to take a breath, so you should be planning when you will take a breath when you are practicing your reading. That way you won’t have unplanned pauses to take a breath in the middle of the writer’s ideas.

 

[Melissa]

Breathing should be intentional; just as a singer-when practicing-strategizes when to take a breath, so you should be planning when you will take a breath when you are practicing your reading. That way you won’t have unplanned pauses to take a breath in the middle of the writer’s ideas.

Yes, that’s why reading aloud as practice is essential. In my parish, there’s also a pronunciation guide in the sacristy for proper names. We also get a guidebook for the liturgical year which includes some commentary to provide background and the thematic thread linking all the readings, and some pronunciation guides.

The most important thing is to pray before reading. Breathe, don’t rush, and don’t be afraid of silences (pause between the end of the reading and the “The Word of the Lord”, in particular)…

 

[pianistclare]

Invest in a copy of this book:

ltp.org/p-2945-workbook-for-lectors-gospel-readers-and-proclaimers-of-the-word-2017-usa.aspx

We provide this book to every one of our lectors.
It has context, and the words that should be emphasized are in** bold.**
Pronunciation is also phonetically printed in the margins, pauses indicated.
Brief historical notes are at the bottom of each page.

Money WELL spent.

Remember too, that you can hear the readings read on the usccb website.

 

[Reuben_J]

Invest in a copy of this book:

ltp.org/p-2945-workbook-for-lectors-gospel-readers-and-proclaimers-of-the-word-2017-usa.aspx

We provide this book to every one of our lectors.
It has context, and the words that should be emphasized are in** bold.**
Pronunciation is also phonetically printed in the margins, pauses indicated.
Brief historical notes are at the bottom of each page.

Money WELL spent.

Remember too, that you can hear the readings read on the usccb website.

Excellent. Anything to help the readers and to remind them to be always on their feet is always good.

 

[Rasoleil]

I’m been a lector for well over a year now, and I only read approximately one a month. I volunteered and was accepted. Prior to that there was a shortage and no one wanted to be a lector even after multiple pleas from the congregation. There has also been a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers in my church and those who are are serving every week without any break. No one in the congregation wants to step up and volunteer for this great calling.
I asked my priest if I could be a EM, in addition to me remaining a lector, as neither would interfere with another, esp. as I read once a month, and I do prepare for my readings all month long. I know that being a EM and a lector is forbidden in the same Mass, so that is a nonstarter. I’ve heard that a person cannot be a part of both ministries due to some law, but exceptions can be made according to the congregations needs ( shortages, for example) and with permission of the priest.
But the thing that really hurt me and felt like punch in the gut, is when one of my friends, who is a EM, after I told her what I thought was good news, as I was overjoyed in being selected as a EM, is that she basically chastised me and gave me the third degree as to why I couldn’t do it. That hurt. I only want to serve the Church and God and felt that the Lord has called me to serve the Church as both lector and EM, but after hearing what my friend said, it makes me want to give up serving in any capacity whatsoever. Can anyone give me any advice and opinions?

 

[Phemie]

I know that being a EM and a lector is forbidden in the same Mass, so that is a nonstarter. I’ve heard that a person cannot be a part of both ministries due to some law, but exceptions can be made according to the congregations needs ( shortages, for example) and with permission of the priest.

There is no law that says you can’t be an Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and Reader at the same Mass - unless of course your bishop has mandated such. There is a preference that the ministries be divided. So if you’re the only reader and the only EMHC there you can certainly perform both ministries. It is preferable that the same person not be deliberately scheduled for two ministries in one Mass.

Many of our readers and EMHCs are also part of the choir so they do perform two ministries at Sunday Mass.

GIRM 109.

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.
**
GIRM 110. If at a Mass with the people only one minister is present, that minister may exercise several different functions.