Readers at Mass?

[DL82]

Does your parish have a set of trained and appointed Readers to read the epistle and psalm at mass?

I only ask because I am sometimes asked to go up and read at mass at my parish, but have heard that there is supposed to be a blessing of Readers to that office before they can assist at mass. As far as I’m aware, none of the people who read at my parish have been officially appointed to that office.

I can understand how the ‘office’ of reader was necessary at a time when the readings were in Latin and most people were illiterate, but is that office and training still necessary?

 

[Trishie]

In y parish, all ministers of reading, of the music ministry and all other ministers are commissioned each year on Ministry Sunday.

Readers who are rostered for any of the weekend Masses attend Thursday evening practice, where first they study and ‘break open’ the scripture readings for the approaching weekend, presided over by a reading coordinator. Following this, all readers individually practise at the microphone before the others readers, and any necessary helpful comments are kindly and cheerfully offered.
Consequently our readings are always thoughtfully and clearly shared.

 

[Phemie]

Wow Trishie, what a great way to prepare! Wish my parish did that.

I’ve never been a reader in a parish that did that; in fact, I’ve never been in one that even wanted to suggest to a poor reader that perhaps that wasn’t the ministry he/she should be involved in.

One thing we do ask our readers is that they always be prepared to read in case somebody didn’t show up.

This is the only parish in which we’ve commissioned the readers and even that wasn’t done by all pastors, it’s only happened a couple of times.

 

[japhy]

Readers who are rostered for any of the weekend Masses attend Thursday evening practice, where first they study and ‘break open’ the scripture readings for the approaching weekend, presided over by a reading coordinator. Following this, all readers individually practise at the microphone before the others readers, and any necessary helpful comments are kindly and cheerfully offered.

What a brilliant idea! I have just suggested that to our “lector coordinator”… let’s see if she’s receptive to it.

 

[stuart12]

our parish has a rota for readers at the Sunday Masses. however during the week, the sacristan usually just asks people to read before the Mass starts. Which is not a problem, as the people who attend are good readers generally.

 

[zagjames]

There is also the position of Instituted Lector. They are instituted by the bishop, i believe. It would be nice if more people would train to be instituted so we could have lectors instead of readers. I think that Instituted Lectors can wear an alb or choir dress when Lectoring.

 

[Phemie]

There is also the position of Instituted Lector. They are instituted by the bishop, i believe. It would be nice if more people would train to be instituted so we could have lectors instead of readers. I think that Instituted Lectors can wear an alb or choir dress when Lectoring.

Even readers can wear an alb. Instituted Lectors are men who have been properly prepared, and most diocese will only have those that are on their way to ordination, either as permanent deacons or priests.

 

[John_Lilburne]

In the USA’s edition of the Book of Blessings there is also a blessing for readers. This is not in the Latin edition of this liturgical book. The introduction makes the point that this is not the same as the ceremony that makes a man an Instituted Reader.

If there is an Instituted Reader they should be doing the reading.
From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“101. In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture.”

Who chooses this person? From the GIRM:
“107. 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.89 All should observe the norms established by the Bishop for his diocese regarding the office of those who serve the priest at the altar.”

The blessing ceremony is not a requirement for reading in the absence of an instituted lector.

 

[zagjames]

Even readers can wear an alb. Instituted Lectors are men who have been properly prepared, and most diocese will only have those that are on their way to ordination, either as permanent deacons or priests.

A seperate topic, but something I nonetheless feel is unfortunate is that more dioceses dont have official training programs to Institute lay men (who have no aspirations for ordination) as Lectors and Acolytes. I believe the Diocese of Lincoln Nebraska does this, and I feel it would be greatly beneficial to any diocese to have diocisan approved and trained acolytes and lectors to at the very least be leaders of altar servers and readers at parishes.

 

[Sheeniac]

A seperate topic, but something I nonetheless feel is unfortunate is that more dioceses dont have official training programs to Institute lay men (who have no aspirations for ordination) as Lectors and Acolytes. I believe the Diocese of Lincoln Nebraska does this, and I feel it would be greatly beneficial to any diocese to have diocisan approved and trained acolytes and lectors to at the very least be leaders of altar servers and readers at parishes.

Are lectors men only?

 

[zagjames]

Are lectors men only?

I have understood it that instututed lectors are always men.

 

[japhy]

Are lectors men only?

Instituted Lectors are male only. Readers, who are not instituted and are substitutes for Lectors, can be male or female.

Readers are to Lectors as altar servers are to Acolytes.

 

[Sheeniac]

I wouldn’t have a problem with Instituted Lectors IF you they volunteer. At my parish, we have about 50:50 men: women. I am going for the abuse prevention training as part of the way to becoming an occasional reader. As much as I would like to see all men up at the front, it isn’t happening in my parish.

(Ms.) Sheeniac