Question about being a lector

[reff]

I’m not a baptized catholic, I start my RCIA in august, but as I’ve mentioned in my other posts, I’m very devout to the Catholic Church. I would love to be a lector sometime, but do you need to be baptized in order to do that?

 

[rpp]

I’m not a baptized catholic, I start my RCIA in august, but as I’ve mentioned in my other posts, I’m very devout to the Catholic Church. I would love to be a lector sometime, but do you need to be baptized in order to do that?

In order to be a lector, you must be baptized, confirmed and have received first Holy Communion. You also must not be in manifest grave sin, such as publicly supporting abortion or in an invalid marriage.

Sadly, these later two are often overlooked.

 

[wjp984]

I didn’t know you had to be confirmed. While I was confirmed since I am Eastern Catholic, none of my classmates at my Catholic school were and they let all of us do the readings and stuff at masses.

 

[teachccd]

Yes, I agree that we have both youth Masses and children Masses whereby the youth read who have not been confirmed. Does anyone have documentation regarding the necessity of being confirmed to lector at Mass?

 

[rpp]

I did a quick search. This is by no means exhaustive and I am no liturgist.

It appears that it is up to the local Ordinary to determine who can be lector. Therefore, my original statement is technically incorrect. However, I believe that in practice, what I did say is correct.

From the GIRM on the Vatican website.

1. In the absence of an instituted acolyte, lay ministers may be deputed to serve at the altar and assist the priest and the deacon; they may carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, and they may also be deputed to distribute Holy Communion as extraordinary ministers.

*{snip}

• 1. The liturgical duties that are not proper to the priest or the deacon and are listed in 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.

In the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, I found this specification under Guidelines for Lectors. archdpdx.org/liturgy/girm.html

1. This ministry is open to women and men, aged sixteen and above, who have been fully initiated. They should be practicing Catholics, in good standing with the parish community and possess a love of the Scriptures.

In the Diocese of Trenton, I found this description dioceseoftrenton.org/spiritual/docs/GIRM_readerlector.pdf

1. What are the requirements for a reader of the Word at liturgy?

For all parish liturgies, including Sacramental celebrations, weddings and funerals, readers should be formed and fully initiated Catholics. In the ministry of lector/reader, the reader is ministering to the community. This is most appropriately done when the individual is able to proclaim the Scripture from the depths of their lived faith.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

This is from my parish St Leo the Great in the Arlington VA diocese “The Lectors are open to all parishioners who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and have a love of Scripture, solid prayer lives, and the basic talent and desire to read the Word of God clearly and faithfully.”

 

[plato3]

It is up to the local ordinary. I have seen different practices at different churches. Our diocese requires training and approval by the bishop in order to read. This includes reading not only at Mass, but at weddings and funerals. Some places allow family or friends to read at weddings and funerals. Unless they are approved readers, we do not.

 

[puzzleannie]

generally true readers must be fully initiated adults, but there may be exceptions for Masses with children (see guidelines for same).

 

[THurifer2]

Lectors must be Male, baptised,confirmed and at least 18 years old.

The laicization of terminology regarding functions within the Latin Liturgy has created a mishmash of terms that blur the line of disticntion of Clergy between laity. Many think this has resulted from agendas in recent decades. Of course Lectors are not Clergy but they almost always are on their way to clerical state as are instituted Acolytes. Perhaps there will be a return to proper terminolgy when talking in “church” matters.

I believe you are referring to “reader” and not Lector. Readers are not to be used if an instituted lector is avail.