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I’ve just been asked to be a reader in my parish. Anyone have any thoughts on this particular ministry (as the CCC puts it)?

I have had the training session but would appreciate your thoughts on how to do it well, what not to do, any amusing anecdotes, resources (web or print) etc, etc?

I did find a document which included remarks by JPII which was cautionary about EMHC’s and other lay roles “It is an inadequate understanding of the role of the laity which leads lay men and women to become so strongly interested in Church services and tasks that they fail to become actively involved in their responsibilities in the professional, social, cultural, and political field.”
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Owner/My%20Documents/Graeme/Reader/US%20JPII%20reader%20views.htm

Though in my case I was collared by my priest rather than actively looking!
 
Practice the readings several times each in advance and look up any “difficult” words or names for pronunciation. I use the RSVCE for this but I’m sure others can recommend some other sources.
 
I agree- practice all the readings in advance. This prevents embarassing mistakes, such as a reader pronouncing the word “brazier” as “brassiere” during a Mass in my former parish. I couldn’t have been older than 10, and this still sticks out in my memory. 😃
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JGC:
I did find a document which included remarks by JPII which was cautionary about EMHC’s and other lay roles “It is an inadequate understanding of the role of the laity which leads lay men and women to become so strongly interested in Church services and tasks that they fail to become actively involved in their responsibilities in the professional, social, cultural, and political field.”
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I’m not sure exactly what this refers to. I would interpret it as perhaps cautioning those who would become so involved in church service that they forget that they are laity, and attempt to start “running the show”, to the detriment of the other aspects of their lives. I don’t think it applies to people who heed the call to serve the Church in ministry, and do so within the context of a normal layperson’s situation. I’m a cantor at my parish. I serve approximately one Mass per month in this way. Otherwise I go about my merry way, working, enjoying my marriage, keeping the home, attending Mass as a choir member or general parishoner, etc.
 
Yup, as others have said, make sure to get the pronunciation right! One time I accidentally said, “prostate” instead of “prostrate” during the Psalm.

'thann
 
Definitely practice the readings. But, not only that. Many of the readings follow on from the previous day(s), so read the previous day’s as well, to make sure you get the context. Read them silently at first. Then, read the one you are to read at Mass out loud. Stand up when you are reading it, since you will be standing at Mass.

Make sure that your eyes read ahead - so that you do not sound as if you are reading it for the first time, and so that you can have a reasonable amount of eye contact with the congregation. (You can let your finger follow the lines you are reading, so that you know exactly where to look after the eye contact!)

It is very important to pronounce words properly, but it is even more important to articulate correctly - so many times readers allow the endings of words or the small words to disappear by not pronouncing every syllable clearly.

Breathing correctly is necessary - some sentences are very long! How about that one in this morning’s first reading - it starts -
"Before the world was made, " There are 72 words in that one sentence! And there are 11 commas! That is a difficult sentence to read. And, although you can take small intakes of breath at commas, you need really good breath control to read that sentence properly.

Really, readers should have an entire course in elocution and reading aloud before they are permitted to read at Mass. I have heard so many mediocre and down-right bad readers! Perhaps it is because I notice them, having had years of elocution, and having taught a course at our Bible School. Too many of them in my parish simply do not even look at the readings before they go into the Sanctuary to read!!

Take your time, practice well, breathe calmly, and ask your Guardian Angel to help you do your best for the Glory of God.
 
In addition to all the other good advice here (especially about pronunciation/enunciation), I would add:

When you enter the sanctuary, take the first step with your *right *foot. Without being military, walk in straight lines and make turns at right angles rather than “angling” on the shortest line to your destination. Bow slowly and profoundly to the altar, crossing your hands, right hand to left knee and left hand to right knee. Whenever you say the name, “Jesus,” in the reading, bow just your head, very slightly; it should be barely perceptible. Test the amplification before the service and place the microphone where you need it. If someone reads before you do, learn to adjust the mike without “fussing.” If you remain in the sanctuary during the Creed, bow your *head only *at the name of “Jesus” and bow profoundly for the Incarnatus, as indicated in the misalette.

I always pause for about one second at the end of the lesson before saying: “The Word of the Lord.” Oh. No ad libs here. No, “This is the Word of the Lord.” No, “My sisters and brothers, the Word . . .” Your training probably covered this and all of the above.

People may tell you to raise your eyes from the book and to look at the congregation to engage “the audience.” My take on this? It isn’t the six o’clock news and you are not a performer. The words you are reading are sacred; let them own you, the congregation, and everything about you when you are reading.

Now that you are a reader, you are no longer a “private citizen” coming to Mass for private devotion, even when you are not scheduled to read. Come to every Mass prepared to read, even if you are not assigned. You never know! I learned that from a senior lector in my parish and it has been useful more than once. On one thread in this forum, a person told of an EMHC being called up from the congregation *ad hoc *to administer the Cup, and she was wearing a tank top with black bra straps showing, shorts and flip-flops. There is no excuse for this in a minister of the Word (or for an EMHC).

May God prosper you and reward you in this sacred ministry.
 
JGC,

Be glad of one thing: you don’t have to sing the readings! Though i do prefer to chant them, it takes a lot more training and practise and skill before one can just read off the cuff. (The reason i prefer to chant is that it takes longer the read the section, i.e. that one must go slower and thet helps to prevent mistakes and allows for clear diction, plus singing aides in projection of the voice, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for artificial amplification depending on the worship space).

In Christ,
Adam
 
All good advice so far especially the practicing and pronunciation preparation (if you’ve got geneologies to read, make that double!). I’ve only been a reader on a invitation basis so I’ve never had a training, but I know, as a listener, this is what makes for an effective reader:

In addition to the preceding, read clearly and slowly, but not painfully so, so that the listeners feel like they want to rush up there and read it themselves to get it over with.

Not only do not improvise beginings and endings, but don’t tamper with the rest of the words to make them “simpler” or more modern.

Try to deliver the reading in a lively (as opposed to monotone) way, but resist the temptation to add “theatrics” to the reading. We have a deacon that does this and he gets so involved in his performance that he often loses his place in the reading.
 
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SeekerJen:
I agree- practice all the readings in advance. This prevents embarassing mistakes, such as a reader pronouncing the word “brazier” as “brassiere” during a Mass in my former parish. I couldn’t have been older than 10, and this still sticks out in my memory. 😃

I’m not sure exactly what this refers to. I would interpret it as perhaps cautioning those who would become so involved in church service that they forget that they are laity, and attempt to start “running the show”, to the detriment of the other aspects of their lives. I don’t think it applies to people who heed the call to serve the Church in ministry, and do so within the context of a normal layperson’s situation. I’m a cantor at my parish. I serve approximately one Mass per month in this way. Otherwise I go about my merry way, working, enjoying my marriage, keeping the home, attending Mass as a choir member or general parishoner, etc.
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It would help if I referenced the document to the website rather than my C: drive copy wouldn’t it… :o
sainthenry.org/corner/ps.htm
 
When you practice your readings, be sure and practice reading them aloud. You would be surprised how many readers “prepare” by just reading over the verses silently. Don’t memorize the reading, but be so familiar with it that you can look up out of the lectionary and make some eye contact around the congregation.
Most readers when they begin this ministry go too fast. Your first few times at Mass consciously slow down. You will eventually find a pace, and voice that is effective.
It is important not to be theatrical, but I do have different “voices” (by voice I mean tone, pace, expression not sound) for differing readings (St. Paul, Jeremiah/Ezekiel, St. John, Isaiah. Again, its not a performance, but the tender fatherly words of the Epistle to Timothy shouldn’t sound like the strong power of Ezekiel.
Here in the States there is an excellent workbook from Liturgy Training Publications, but is for our NAB Lectionary. Perhaps there are similar workbooks for your Lectionary?
 
All of the above posters included good advice. The only thing I would add would be to avoid distracting elements. If your parish doesn’t use albs for the readers, wear something that is not only appropriate but also neutral. I am not sure of your gender but the red dress or the wild tie will change the focus to you and not the reading itself. Don’t move your arms around or lift the Lectionary off the lecturn unnecessarily. Don’t swoop your voice up and down (unless you are chanting 🙂 ) and maintain a steady volume. We have several reader/performers in our parish and it is hard to maintain focus on the words rather than the personality.
 
One bit of advice that has not been given and it should be unnecessary for you 🙂 yes we have met elsewhere ] is to imagine as you read that you are speaking to someone in one of the back corners of the Church - look there as you speak from time to time - be aware of him and your voice will carry to him.

You really should have no problem with actual voice production 🙂 ] - but do speak a little more slowly than normal.

Dunno about your Church - but our convention is Reader 1 does first reading and the Psalm and reader 2 does the NT reading and the Bidding prayers - Parishes do vary.

Do also check when you leave the Lectern - again this varies.

AND ,a pet peeve of mine, please if it is possible turn off the reader’s light for the Lectern if you have one] when you leave the Sanctuary as the Focus must then go to the Holy Table itself - on the Eucharist not the Liturgy of the Word
 
All excellent advice. One thing I forgot to mention - about “The Word of the Lord.” Many people allow their tone to raise up at the word “Lord”, as if they were asking a question. Please, do not do this. It is not a question! You are making a statement that what you just read is the Word of the Lord. Your tone should fall slightly on the last word of the sentence.

God bless.
 
All excellent advice. One thing I forgot to mention - about “The Word of the Lord.” Many people allow their tone to raise up at the word “Lord”, as if they were asking a question. Please, do not do this. It is not a question! You are making a statement that what you just read is the Word of the Lord. Your tone should fall slightly on the was word of the sentence.

God bless.
 
You’ve already been given some good advice. I tend only to practice the readings a couple times through just before the Mass starts. I have no stage fright whatsoever. I have extremely bad eyesight, so I have large print versions of the readings prepared. I have been doing it for so long the congregation understands that I can’t see them anyways! I simply read in a natural voice, and read as if I am simply talking to someone. That’s really all I can add to the advice that has already been given.
 
I was one of the first seven “Readers” in my parish back in the mid-sixties. It is a real blessing to be able to proclaim the Word to your brothers and sisters at Mass. I write this only because It felt so good to find a thread where everyone responded so positively with good advice. Thanks everyone. 🙂 🙂 🙂
 
I do a few simple things to prepare to Lector. Go to www.lectorprep.org/ and get the readings ahead for practice. The same site will give you the historical background and the theological meaning behind the reading. This gives me a great appreciation for the reading, and I believe makes my reading more listenable.

In the sacristy before mass, I pray for help, so that my reading doesn’t distract the congregation from the message. This was one reason I became a lector, because I witnessed this happening.

Lastly, since the other reason I became a lector was to set an example for my children as an active participant in the liturgy, I read the readings so that they would be understandable to a 6 to 10 year old.

Remember, you’re reading God’s words, not yours. Keep that in mind when you’re reading and you should do fine.

Bugsfan (…Bugs Bunny, that is.)
 
Also, If you are male, I would suggest that you investigate the requirements to become an Instituted Lector in your diocese.

the role of reading the Epsitles properly belongs to the Instituted Lector. It can be read by others in the absence of an Instituted Lector.
 
JGC,

I also was not actively looking to become a reader, but a few years back (just after I returned to the Church) there was a request in the bulletin for readers for Holy Week. Like most people, I do not like to speak publicly AND I suffer from panic attacks. Anyways, *something *(I know it was the Holy Spirit)kept nudging me to volunteer for Holy Thursday, so I did (on top of this I decided to start wearing a mantilla to Mass). I joked with Fr. John beforehand, that ‘God forbid’ I should have one of my attacks in the sanctuary, he just needed to get a few people to carry me outside, but under nooo circumstances were they to call the paramedics:) . Well, I made it through the readings without having an attack. Although my heart was pounding, the only outward appearance of my nervousness was a small quaver in my voice. I was actually approached after Mass by a nice gentleman and his wife who told me what a wonderful job I had done.

Since then, I have become a part-time lector in my regular Sunday parish, and when the local shrine is open (May-Oct.), I do the readings Monday through Saturday.

I do want to tell you I have experienced times where I ‘black-out’ as I’m reading. Black-out isn’t really the right term, it’s more like I go outside of myself. I have discussed this on another forum and was told that it is called the “gift of prophecy”. The person who told me about this ‘feeling’ probably described it better than I did…“it’s like stepping aside and letting the Holy Spirit within me take over, use my voice, and all of me, to say what he wants to say.” It doesn’t always happen (the last time it did for me was during the Palm Sunday reading).

You have gotten great advice already. The only thing I want to add is to keep this in mind-I call it DAP…D(iction), A(nnunciation), P(ronunciation). Although D and A are almost the same thing, the third, can at times, be the hardest. I hope the following site helps you out:

http://briannelsonconsulting.com/bible/pronunciation.html
 
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