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trappistrob
Guest
I’ve been approached to be a reader during the Liturgy. Does anyone have any practical advice on how to prepare oneself beforehand?
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Practice, practice, practice. Make sure you’re comfortable with the reading and know how it goes.
This site – netministries.org/Bbasics/BBwords.htm – will give you pronunciations of various words you’ll encounter. I’ve found it very helpful.
LTP puts out a workbook for lectors that’s helpful. It gives you a sense of what to stress or how to get an idea across. Even if you don’t agree with all of their ideas, it gives you something to think about. See ltp.org/p-1809-workbook-for-lectors-and-gospel-readers-2009-usa.aspx
Speak slowly and clearly so people can understand you. And remember that your role is to help people hear the word of God.
This site – netministries.org/Bbasics/BBwords.htm – will give you pronunciations of various words you’ll encounter. I’ve found it very helpful.
LTP puts out a workbook for lectors that’s helpful. It gives you a sense of what to stress or how to get an idea across. Even if you don’t agree with all of their ideas, it gives you something to think about. See ltp.org/p-1809-workbook-for-lectors-and-gospel-readers-2009-usa.aspx
Speak slowly and clearly so people can understand you. And remember that your role is to help people hear the word of God.
A
Aramis
Guest
Best thing: Get permission to do some practice readings from the lectern or ambo (as appropriate for your parish) outside of services, but with the sound system on.
Also vital: practice reading to a tape recorder sitting across the room. Listen to the tape, and critique it. When you can clearly be recorded from across the room, you probably will be loud enough for good mic work. Also, you’ll hear your fluency.
When you read it for familiarity, read it aloud.
If available, the workbooks for lectors are useful for having various specific pronunciation and phrasing suggestions.
Preview the actual lectionary prior to mass.
N
Newbie2
Guest
R-E-A-D S-L-O-W-L-Y
One reads alound much faster than one realizes.
Memorize only the key words or phrases, but be familiar with the rest.
Read the text and the surrounding text as preparation in order to get a grip on the context of the reading. While this may seem a bit odd, it really makes a difference when someone understands what’s being said; it comes through bigtime.
Last but not least, remember that you’re proclaiming, not reading.
One reads alound much faster than one realizes.
Memorize only the key words or phrases, but be familiar with the rest.
Read the text and the surrounding text as preparation in order to get a grip on the context of the reading. While this may seem a bit odd, it really makes a difference when someone understands what’s being said; it comes through bigtime.
Last but not least, remember that you’re proclaiming, not reading.
E
ethelzguy
Guest
Pronounciation, Pronounciation, Pronounciation.
Mis-pronounced words or names will get you icky faces faster than anything.
Before Mass, be sure to carefully read the readings and responsorial psalm. Be certain of the pronounciations.
Also, if you read the prayers of the faithful, scan them ahead of time as well, so you can find out how to pronounce the names of the sick, deceased, or celebrating anniversaires parishoners.
To some people, having their name mispronounced is rather insulting, and it’s not that hard to get it right.
Mis-pronounced words or names will get you icky faces faster than anything.
Before Mass, be sure to carefully read the readings and responsorial psalm. Be certain of the pronounciations.
Also, if you read the prayers of the faithful, scan them ahead of time as well, so you can find out how to pronounce the names of the sick, deceased, or celebrating anniversaires parishoners.
To some people, having their name mispronounced is rather insulting, and it’s not that hard to get it right.
J
japhy
Guest
Good lectoring manuals have pronunciations guides and sometimes even words bolded for specific speaking emphasis. Practice reading it out loud several times, and be sure to proclaim it more slowly than you would normally speak to a person.
Pray for the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit before you read at Mass, as well as for the intercession of the sacred authors whose words you are proclaiming. I usually do this in my private prayers right before Mass, but I also do this as I walk up to the ambo. My prayer usually goes along these lines:
“I pray, O Holy Spirit, that you would be in my heart and upon my lips, that I might worthily and fittingly proclaim the Word you spoke to prophets and apostles, unto the glorification of God and the sanctification of His people.”
(Hmm… I should try creating a Latin version of that…)
Pray for the guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit before you read at Mass, as well as for the intercession of the sacred authors whose words you are proclaiming. I usually do this in my private prayers right before Mass, but I also do this as I walk up to the ambo. My prayer usually goes along these lines:
“I pray, O Holy Spirit, that you would be in my heart and upon my lips, that I might worthily and fittingly proclaim the Word you spoke to prophets and apostles, unto the glorification of God and the sanctification of His people.”
(Hmm… I should try creating a Latin version of that…)
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
The Church requires that all persons in a any ministry, lay or otherwise be formed in the ministry and have on going formation also.
Your ministry of lay reader is one of the Scriptures. So you should be well formed in the Scriptures, understand the Bible, the formation and history of the Bible. You should be involved is some type of Scripture study. You should read the Churches documents on the Scriptures.
Leo XIII - Providentissimus Deus
Benedict XV - Spiritus Paraclitus
Pius XII - Divino Afflante Spiritu
Vatican II - Dei Verbum
PBC - Sancta Mater Ecclesia
PBC - The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church
Liturgical Documents:
The General Instruction on The Roman Missal.
Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass.
Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priests.
USCCB - One Body, Different Gifts- Many Roles.
USCCB - Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium.
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japhy
Guest
And on that note, know the context of the passage you are reading! Don’t just know the verses you’re proclaiming, know its context in the book.
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pippin
Guest
Prononce each word carefully. The acoustics in most churches are not that good. Remember the people with hearing aids. If you speak quickly and run your words together, they will not understand you. Also, use your finger to keep your place. That way you can look up periodically and not lose your place.
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