Looking for help from experienced Lectors!

[Joannm]

I conduct lector training sessions for our diocese. I agree with what most of the posters suggested. The best thing is the Lector Workbook by Liturgy Training Publications. It is a great resource. Also there is a website, Lectorprep.org that is also very helpful.

I tell all new lectors to always speak to the person in the back of the church, in other words, project. Many new lectors thing that since they are using a mic they don’t need to project. Note that projecting is not the same as speaking loud. It is actually a singing technique that I learned when taking voice lessons. Posture is important as well as using your diaphragm to breathe. Breath control is important for a new lector. Many new lectors, as silly as this sounds, forget to breathe and run out of breath at the end of a sentence.

Many lectors speak too fast and forget to pause. Pay attention to punctuation. Don’t be afraid to pause, there is no race to get to the end of the passage. As a rule, I tell new lectors (and old ones as well) to pause at the end of the passage before saying “The word of the Lord.” I suggest at least three seconds (one Mississippi…). If you are also proclaiming the psalm, pause at least 10 seconds after the first reading. The liturgy calls for it.

Another important thing is to become very familiar with the Lectionary. You need to know how it is arranged and how to find a reading as you might end up at the Ambo and find out the last person turned to the wrong page (it has happened to me and probably happens to most lectors at one time or another). Also become very familiar with scripture, especially the OT, Acts and the Letters, since that is what you will be reading.

Just don’t practice the readings, pray with them during the week. Get a good commentary or read reflections that might be online. Most of all don’t wait till the last minute to prepare. Start on Monday, read the passages, check on pronunciation, places that call for inflections or emphasis, pray with the passage and then listen to what God is telling you.

The best lectors are not those who read the best but those who are intimately connected with the “author” of the scriptures.

 

[quiet52]

1. Be in love with Jesus
2. Be familiar with and understand the readings
3. Be humble and reverent, remembering that it’s not about you, but that it is the sacred Word of God.

article - The Word Sotto Voce
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0935.htm

archdiocesan Lector Manual
archatl.com/offices/chancellor/docs/manuals/Lector-Manual-English.pdf

 

[maryjk]

I am not a reader nor a lector.

But a word about “reading slowly.”

Please don’t read too slowly. We have a couple of readers that have 3-5 seconds at every period and 2-3 seconds at every comma. People stop listening if they can’t connect the first part of the sentence to the last part of it.

And don’t worry about short sleeves or a veil. Neither are required.

 

[Mintaka]

Lots of good advice, but I’ll add some too!

1. If you get a reading that includes beautiful poetry, read it like it’s beautiful and not like a grocery list. (And heck, most readings have something beautiful or moving about them.) You don’t have to be all drama-drama, but the Lord is a pretty darned good writer and we should read like we appreciate His work.
2. If you leave something out or have to correct yourself, don’t be afraid to do that. But never ever freak out and stop completely. As long as you keep going, people will never notice what you’ve messed up as much as you notice it, and they certainly won’t remember. So just keep going.
3. Be gentle if you have to turn a page of the lectionary. Don’t rest anything heavy on top of the lectionary if they give you something else to read from. A lectionary is a Sacramental used for Mass and it’s pretty darned holy, so treat it with respect.
4. Usually there’s a fairly bright light shining down on the ambo and the person reading there. Sooo, some shirts and blouses that normally look solid may look a little more translucent once you get up there. Don’t be paranoid about this, and I don’t think the congregation or the priest notices… but undershirts or camis/slips can help avoid anything awkward.
5. Do a little “bow test” if your path to the ambo will take you past or across the altar. Do a “kneel test” for the tabernacle/entering and exiting pews. Do a “walk test” if you think your shoes might squeak or clack too much. Again, most people really aren’t looking at you, but you’ll feel more confident if you know your outfit, shoes, etc. work.
6. I don’t think it has to be long sleeves per se. There are very suitable outfits for women that have shorter sleeves (men will have to do fashion tips for themselves). But anything sleeveless is not the right level of formality unless you’re wearing a jacket/shrug/wrap over it, and will also drive you crazy wondering about your underarms and your sweat. So why not just go with sleeves?
7. Make sure they tell you how the microphone works, in case you have to do anything with it. (Usually the rule is not to touch the mike, but sometimes you get up there and it’s been turned off.)
8. If you suddenly get moved to emotion by something in the reading, take a breath and keep going. There’s nothing wrong; but you need to keep your voice clear even if your heart is making you want to cry or laugh.

 

[Sunbreak]

How I got started is that I was sitting in the pew minding my own business when the pastor walked over to me and asked me to do one of the Sunday readings. So I did. Fortunately, I had been involved in live theater so I had prior experience speaking in front of a group of people. Otherwise I would have been very nervous. It wasn’t as bad as the few times he asked me to read for a daily Mass in Polish, which he knew I was learning. Those times I did get to look at the words ahead of time just before Mass. I didn’t even know the meaning of most of what I was reading, although I could pronounce the words pretty well. It’s a small parish, so at least I wasn’t reading for a huge group.

 

[R_C]

1. I don’t think it has to be long sleeves per se. There are very suitable outfits for women that have shorter sleeves

I don’t want to upset anyone but this matter, I believe, deserves attention.

A reminder: GIRM directs that “Readers may wear the alb or other appropriate and dignified clothing.” No doubt there are some quite elegant short-sleeved outfits for ladies! Certainly in this time and culture one would hardly consider that there is any lack of modesty in them.

But it would be a stretch to call them dignified.

Ask yourself: is that something you would wear to have a dinner with the governor or an audience or the Holy Father, or instead is that something you would expect ladies to wear as they take their kids to school or go buy groceries?

Lay ministers must be conscious that Holy Church is allowing them for the first time in history to fulfill a role that was always a dignity reserved for ordained clerks. This is something that should be particularly important for ladies to keep in mind: it is a great honor that the Church gives them in allowing them to read, justified solely under the consideration that the writings of st. Paul on this matter were purely pastoral. They should also bear in mind that a deacon could be present to read the Epistle or assist the priest in serving - meaning, no lay minister should ever consider he or she is “needed” or “essential”. This should make lay ministers especially humble, and all of them (but especially ladies) should do a special effort in entering the sanctuary with the greatest possible degree of reverence and humility, in heart as well as in attire.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

A reminder: GIRM directs that "Readers may wear the alb or other appropriate and dignified clothing

." No doubt there are some quite elegant short-sleeved outfits for ladies! Certainly in this time and culture one would hardly consider that there is any lack of modesty in them.

But it would be a stretch to call them dignified.

Ask yourself: is that something you would wear to have a dinner with the governor or an audience or the Holy Father, or instead is that something you would expect ladies to wear as they take their kids to school or go buy groceries?

The standard for what is “dignified” is like that for what is “modest” - no two people seem to have the same standards. I would suggest that until the Church outlines specific clothing for men and women, with mandated lengths and materials, Convert2013 (and anyone else who is discerning whether to be a reader or not) consult their pastor about what his standards of dress are for those who serve at the altar. I think our pastor tries to encourage people to “cover up” by turning the A/C down to just above freezing during the summer. (or he’s just really hot under all of those layers he wears)

 

[maryjk]

I don’t want to upset anyone but this matter, I believe, deserves attention.

A reminder: GIRM directs that “Readers may wear the alb or other appropriate and dignified clothing.” No doubt there are some quite elegant short-sleeved outfits for ladies! Certainly in this time and culture one would hardly consider that there is any lack of modesty in them.

But it would be a stretch to call them dignified.

So short sleeves are not dignified?

Sorry but that is ridiculous.

 

[larsont7]

So short sleeves are not dignified?

Sorry but that is ridiculous.

Just because you disagree with him doesn’t make it ridiculous. Using past Church guidelines as a rule is anything but ridiculous. It may not mesh with modern standards, but R_C makes some very good points. Even Pope Pius XI wrote a Papal Decree regarding modesty that is well worth reading: olvrc.com/documents/Modesty.Pius.XI.pdf

 

[holyfamily1]

Just because you disagree with him doesn’t make it ridiculous. Using past Church guidelines as a rule is anything but ridiculous. It may not mesh with modern standards, but R_C makes some very good points. Even Pope Pius XI wrote a Papal Decree regarding modesty that is well worth reading: olvrc.com/documents/Modesty.Pius.XI.pdf

A quote from the Papal decree,“9. Women and girls who wear immodest clothes are to be prohibited from Holy Communion and from the office of sponsor in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and in certain cases, they are to be prohibited even from entry into the church.”

 

[Russ_of_Tokyo]

I’m a reader at both our Japanese and English Mass. The Japanese Mass always requires a lot more practice (a few weeks in advance) since it is not my “easy” language, and I just accept the fact that I’m going to be really nervous every time I do it.

I found that it helps to realize that there are probably several very old people in the congregation who are hard of hearing and can’t read the print very well and are relying on me to read slowly, clearly and loudly. They are not interested in dramatic, artistic interpretation. I keep them in mind as I read, knowing they will be grateful for my efforts even if I make a mistake or two. It also calms my nerves a bit.

 

[holyfamily1]

I’m a reader at both our Japanese and English Mass. The Japanese Mass always requires a lot more practice (a few weeks in advance) since it is not my “easy” language, and I just accept the fact that I’m going to be really nervous every time I do it.

I found that it helps to realize that there are probably several very old people in the congregation who are hard of hearing and can’t read the print very well and are relying on me to read slowly, clearly and loudly. They are not interested in dramatic, artistic interpretation. I keep them in mind as I read, knowing they will be grateful for my efforts even if I make a mistake or two. It also calms my nerves a bit.

That’s pretty good advice! I never though about that. :tiphat:

 

[maryjk]

A quote from the Papal decree,“9. Women and girls who wear immodest clothes are to be prohibited from Holy Communion and from the office of sponsor in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and in certain cases, they are to be prohibited even from entry into the church.”

Sorry, I am missing where it says that short sleeves are immodest.

 

[holyfamily1]

Sorry, I am missing where it says that short sleeves are immodest.

Did you read the rest of the decree? It doesn’t make precise reference to short sleeves as they weren’t called that then. Besides, modesty is the best policy.

 

[maryjk]

Did you read the rest of the decree? It doesn’t make precise reference to short sleeves as they weren’t called that then. Besides, modesty is the best policy.

I agree. But refuse to agree that women must cover their elbows to be modest.

 

[zab]

I agree. But refuse to agree that women must cover their elbows to be modest.

I agree with you, there is nothing immodest about short sleeves. Even when we went to the Holy Land, where they had strict dress code when entering churches- women had to have their shoulders covered and no shorts were allowed- but short sleeves were acceptable.

 

[R_C]

I agree. But refuse to agree that women must cover their elbows to be modest.

Well, I guess that is a problem you have to deal with. Your personal opinion on the XX-Century introduction of short sleeves as “dignified clothing” does not change the fact that they aren’t so, although in this age they seem modest by contrast with the obscenities we face in our culture.

Again, would you have an audience with the Pope in short sleeves?

 

[ATeNumquam]

I was asked out of the blue some years ago by the then parish priest if I’d like to be a reader. We were short of readers for the Saturday evening vigil Mass (which is when I go), and I couldn’t think of an excuse on the spot to refuse! But I was a bit nervous.
I did know in my heart that I could read well enough, because I’d often filled in spontaneously at weekday Masses in my work lunchbreak, and the priest had said to me that he was always pleased when I read because “You appreciate what you are reading about and so you convey the meaning”. You can imagine that I was both flattered and happy, and it gave me confidence to do so in my own parish.

And that, in a nutshell, is what will help you most to be a good reader. Understand the reading - by whatever study or preparation you have on hand (many parishes have books for readers to use beforehand that they may be able to take home). Or you may just have that knowledge from your own love of scripture and long-term reading of it.
Often if there is an OT reading, it will have a bearing on the Gospel, or it will foreshadow in some way the full revelation of the NT. So, there may be a sentence or two that will be worth reading with a little more emphasis (NOT drama), or just a little more slowly, because hopefully your fellow-parishioners will make the link to the Gospel, or it will be something the priest wants to pick up on in his homily.

If you love scripture, you will read it with respect, slow enough to be heard and understood, with some light and shade, but NOT in any way exaggeratedly, because this can be distracting and really off-putting. It’s an honour to proclaim the word to your fellow parishioners and you want them to love what they are hearing and to WANT to listen to it.
Make eye contact when you start, after you say “A reading from…” and again at the end, after you pause for a few seconds. Don’t rush to say “The word of the Lord” at the end, but don’t drag out the silent pause either. If you are confident enough or well prepared enough you can make eye contact once or twice during the reading, too.

It’s really important to know how to use the microphone. In my parish we have reader’s meetings now and then, and sometimes practical things like the microphone will be mentioned because clearly 1 or 2 are standing too far back or too close!
And we’ve had some really good scripture talks from a scripture scholar particularly aimed at proclaimers of the word.

As far as confidence goes, that just comes with practice - and especially when some parishioner, or the priest, says you read well!

 

[Convert2013]

I am so thankful for all the tips and advice from everyone! Something I should note is that in our church the reader does the OT, Psalm and NT readings. Not sure how it will go for a newbie as they may put us in to read with one of the more experienced readers and only read one of the readings to begin. Maybe I’m just hoping!?

Also as far as the clothing goes …I am a male so I will follow the lead of the experienced readers. They all wear a suit or jacket & tie. I haven’t paid strict attention to the ladies when they read but I don’t necessarily recall them wearing short sleeves. Certainly they are always dressed modestly. That is one of the things I really love about my parish is that our Mass IS reverent and respectful as far as those with the privilegde of serving. Can’t say the same for some of the folks coming to Mass. It does bother me to see some of the clothing choices people make. Not referring necessarily to the type (i.e. jeans, golf shirt, etc) as some can not afford “nicer” clothing. I’m speaking of the modesty aspect. Especially young girls & women coming in with halter tops and extremely short shorts. Its disrespectful IMHO. I’m not trying to be judgemental but there are better choices that could be made. In the end though I’m glad they made it to Mass and I pray for them that they might recognize where they are and make better choices next time.

Again, thank you all for sharing!