Lectors

[goodeman]

I was wondering if any of you all knew any information on the requirements of being a lector for Mass. We have several new RCIA candidates and many of them are filled with zeal to help out at our church in any way that they can. Some are wanting to be ushers, some greeters, some Eurcharistic ministers (though I’m fairly sure they are not permitted to do that), however my main interest is whether or not they are permitted to read. We have had the same lectors for many years and now we have some new faces that are willing to read. Are they permitted to read at Mass, or because they have not yet come into full communion with the Church are they prohibited from preforming this at Mass?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I was wondering if any of you all knew any information on the requirements of being a lector for Mass. We have several new RCIA candidates and many of them are filled with zeal to help out at our church in any way that they can. Some are wanting to be ushers, some greeters, some Eurcharistic ministers (though I’m fairly sure they are not permitted to do that), however my main interest is whether or not they are permitted to read. We have had the same lectors for many years and now we have some new faces that are willing to read. Are they permitted to read at Mass, or because they have not yet come into full communion with the Church are they prohibited from preforming this at Mass?

First some correction on vocabulary. A LECTOR is a male who has been instituted into the Ministry of Lector by the Bishop.

A Lay person is commissioned to serve as a READER. That person should be a full member of the Catholic community in good standing and well trained if they are to read at Mass. A lay person who is not a member of the Catholic community could read non-Gospel readings at say a prayer service.

 

[TimOliv]

First some correction on vocabulary. A LECTOR is a male who has been instituted into the Ministry of Lector by the Bishop.

A Lay person is commissioned to serve as a READER. That person should be a full member of the Catholic community in good standing and well trained if they are to read at Mass. A lay person who is not a member of the Catholic community could read non-Gospel readings at say a prayer service.

Thank you for clarifying the Lector thing, I was just about to type it myself. Unfortunately many churches simply have a “Lector” schedule and list all lay readers on that. I once attended a church that regularly had a girl who was being raised Hindu doing the first reading. Don’t ya love it when folks play by the rules?

 

[mercygate]

Bro. Rich is right. A reader must be a Catholic in good standing (marriage in order, consenting to the Magisterium, having received the sacraments appropriately . . . ). He also must not set his pinkie toe in the sanctuary unless he is in a state of grace. IOW: if he has mortal sin on his conscience, he must make a sacramental confession before he exercises his ministry. Goes for EMHC’s, Deacons & Priests also.

IWhen your young zealots are confirmed, if they have voices suitable for this important ministry they can be trained as readers. Parishes usually do this training on campus – for better or worse. Our pastor was a meticulous trainer. We also supplemented his efforts with a readers’ program run for a full afternoon at the cathedral. It’s kind of a big deal around here, and frankly, the reading in our local parishes is about the best I have heard anywhere. You don’t just get up there and go. Our readers confess to meditating on the texts for the whole week in advance of their assignment. You can tell which ones do, and which do not.

 

[goodeman]

Thank you all for the clarification. I had no idea about the distinctions between a reader and a lector. I am glad that you were able to clear this up with me about an RCIA candidate not being able to be a reader, but if you wouldn’t mind, do you mind to provide some kind of source? Cheers

 

[mercygate]

Thank you all for the clarification. I had no idea about the distinctions between a reader and a lector. I am glad that you were able to clear this up with me about an RCIA candidate not being able to be a reader, but if you wouldn’t mind, do you mind to provide some kind of source? Cheers

Did you try the GIRM? The USCCB web site or your diocesan web site probably has the documents. So would your liturgical coordinator.

 

[goodeman]

Did you try the GIRM? The USCCB web site or your diocesan web site probably has the documents. So would your liturgical coordinator.

I’ve been searching through those sites but I have not yet been able to find the detailed answer that I am looking for. I wonder if you might be able to assist me with this? For example, where did you find the distinction between a reader and a lector? Perhaps that source may have the answer I am looking for. And I just want to clairfy that I am not seeking this answer to challege your response to the question at hand, but rather I do accept it in faith, however I may not be able to convince others to accept this answer in faith and I would like an authoritative source to assist me with this.

 

[mercygate]

I’ve been searching through those sites but I have not yet been able to find the detailed answer that I am looking for. I wonder if you might be able to assist me with this? For example, where did you find the distinction between a reader and a lector? Perhaps that source may have the answer I am looking for. And I just want to clairfy that I am not seeking this answer to challege your response to the question at hand, but rather I do accept it in faith, however I may not be able to convince others to accept this answer in faith and I would like an authoritative source to assist me with this.

I don’t take your questions as a challenge (I KNOW what this can be like, and you DO need to have the documents and not just say “I got it from some bloke on the internet” – even if it is CAF.

Say! You could post this query in the Ask An Apologist forunm. They would have the documentation at their fingertips.

Meanwhile, I think there was something about readers in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

 

[TimOliv]

I’ve been searching through those sites but I have not yet been able to find the detailed answer that I am looking for. I wonder if you might be able to assist me with this? For example, where did you find the distinction between a reader and a lector? Perhaps that source may have the answer I am looking for. And I just want to clairfy that I am not seeking this answer to challege your response to the question at hand, but rather I do accept it in faith, however I may not be able to convince others to accept this answer in faith and I would like an authoritative source to assist me with this.

Can. 230 ß1 Lay men whose age and talents meet the requirements prescribed by decree of the Episcopal Conference, can be given the stable ministry of lector and of acolyte, through the prescribed liturgical rite. This conferral of ministry does not, however, give them a right to sustenance or remuneration from the Church.

ß3 Where the needs of the Church require and ministers are not available, lay people, even though they are not lectors or acolytes, can supply certain of their functions, that is, exercise the ministry of the word, preside over liturgical prayers, confer baptism and distribute Holy Communion, in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The latter would be your readers, the former your Lectors.

 

[tee_eff_em]

A Lay person is commissioned to serve as a READER. That person should be a full member of the Catholic community in good standing and well trained if they are to read at Mass. A lay person who is not a member of the Catholic community could read non-Gospel readings at say a prayer service.

Do you mean “should (it is prudent)” or “should (it is required)”?

I certainly agree with the former, but I have not yet found any document to indicate the latter. (And I believe it gets to the crux of the OP)

tee

 

[goodeman]

Do you mean “should (it is prudent)” or “should (it is required)”?

I certainly agree with the former, but I have not yet found any document to indicate the latter. (And I believe it gets to the crux of the OP)

tee

That was my concern as well. I certainly see that when the Church indicates what a person should (as in strongly suggested yet not required) why persons should comply with this. But as is often the case, people are usually not willing to listen to the advice of the Church, and because the Church may not require complying with this suggestion people will take advantage of the fact that it is not a regulation, and therefore place there own person intentions before the good of the Church. This is why I would like to find some kind of definitive source to indicate one way or the other (if it is required or just suggested) so that I could find some sort of resolve.

 

[estesbob]

Bro. Rich is right. A reader must be a Catholic in good standing (marriage in order, consenting to the Magisterium, having received the sacraments appropriately . . . ). He also must not set his pinkie toe in the sanctuary unless he is in a state of grace. IOW: if he has mortal sin on his conscience, he must make a sacramental confession before he exercises his ministry. Goes for EMHC’s, Deacons & Priests also.

IWhen your young zealots are confirmed, if they have voices suitable for this important ministry they can be trained as readers. Parishes usually do this training on campus – for better or worse. Our pastor was a meticulous trainer. We also supplemented his efforts with a readers’ program run for a full afternoon at the cathedral. It’s kind of a big deal around here, and frankly, the reading in our local parishes is about the best I have heard anywhere. You don’t just get up there and go. Our readers confess to meditating on the texts for the whole week in advance of their assignment. You can tell which ones do, and which do not.

In our Diocese you also have to take the VIRTUS prgram to be allowed to read. i guess its out of fear i would pounce on young children in the front pew…

 

[mercygate]

That was my concern as well. I certainly see that when the Church indicates what a person should (as in strongly suggested yet not required) why persons should comply with this. But as is often the case, people are usually not willing to listen to the advice of the Church, and because the Church may not require complying with this suggestion people will take advantage of the fact that it is not a regulation, and therefore place there own person intentions before the good of the Church. This is why I would like to find some kind of definitive source to indicate one way or the other (if it is required or just suggested) so that I could find some sort of resolve.

I am SURE there is a reg about being in good standing. Bishop Vasa in Baker, Oregon, also made all of his EMHCs and Readers sign a statement of fidelity to the Magisterium. Maybe that office would have the reference. Let us know when you find it.

We have a lot of “irregularities” with our EMHCs, but every year we clean up a little . . .

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Do you mean “should (it is prudent)” or “should (it is required)”?

I certainly agree with the former, but I have not yet found any document to indicate the latter. (And I believe it gets to the crux of the OP)

tee

When it comes to Lay Ministry. That is covered by requirements issued by the Bishop for a diocese. Chech with your diocese office of Lay Ministry for the qualifications for a Lay Reader at Mass.
There is a document that I read once that specifies the qualifications in general and says that if a qualified Lector, or Lay Reader is not available the priest or deacon should read all of the readings themselves.

 

[tee_eff_em]

When it comes to Lay Ministry. That is covered by requirements issued by the Bishop for a diocese. Chech with your diocese office of Lay Ministry for the qualifications for a Lay Reader at Mass.
There is a document that I read once that specifies the qualifications in general and says that if a qualified Lector, or Lay Reader is not available the priest or deacon should read all of the readings themselves.

That was probably the GIRM emphasis added]:

1. By tradition, the function of proclaiming the readings is ministerial, not presidential. The readings, therefore, should be proclaimed by a lector, and the Gospel by a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the celebrant. If, however, a deacon or another priest is not present, the priest celebrant himself should read the Gospel. Further, if another suitable lector is also not present, then the priest celebrant should also proclaim the other readings.

And you are correct, that this may vary from diocese to diocese (and even circumstance to circumstance – I am pretty sure I have seen non-Catholic family members allowed to proclaim the readings at a nuptial Mass, for instance, though I cannot say for sure it was not in opposition to diocesan norms):

1. In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture. They should be truly suited to perform this function and should receive careful preparation, so that the faithful by listening to the readings from the sacred texts may develop in their hearts a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture.
   …
2. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed above (cf. nos. 100-106) may also be entrusted by a liturgical blessing or a temporary deputation to suitable lay persons chosen by the pastor or rector of the church. All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.

tee

 

[John_Lilburne]

The readings should be proclaimed by those baptised.

There is a clear indication of this in the liturigical book “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” n. 87:
“One or more readings from Scripture, chosen for their relevance to the formation of the catechumens, are proclaimed by a baptized member of the community.”
(From The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 74).

It is talking about a “Celebration of the Word of God”, rather than the readings at Mass. But if a catechumen should not do the readings for a “Celebration of the Word of God” then it applies even more so for the readings at Mass.

It seems to me that proclaiming the readings is a teaching role. Being a catechumen is the role of a student.

Regarding those who are baptised, but not Catholic there are instructions from the The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism at vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html :

For Eastern Christians it has:

“126. Catholics may read lessons at a sacramental liturgical celebration in the Eastern Churches if they are invited to do so. An Eastern Christian may be invited to read the lessons at similar services in Catholic churches.”

Then for “Christians of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities” it has:

“133. The reading of Scripture during a Eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church is to be done by members of that Church. On exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the Bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another Church or ecclesial Community to take on the task of reader.”