To bow or not to bow - Lectors Help!

[Cleindian44]

Hi folks,

I am preparing for my first assignment as a lector this Sunday. A member of my parish’s Liturgy Committee has been preparing me. When I asked the question if I should make a profound bow before approaching the ambo for my reading, she told me no, and that we should not add anything that the GIRM did not specify. Further, she stated that she was not into bowing to any statutes or anything because the Tabernacle is not on the altar (the Tabernacle is in a section of the church in an cove behind some pews to the right of the altar).

I’ve seen it done both ways in different churches (bowing and not bowing). I don’t want to anger this lady by doing something contradictory to what she told me, but I also want to do what’s right and show the proper reverence. Is there any formal guidance on this or is it just governed by local custom? Help!!

 

[marty1818]

According to the GIRM you are not to genuflect to the tabernacle during mass. Not what you asked, but in the next section the GIRM talks about bows of the head and bows of the body(profound). Listed as a reason to profoundly bow is to the altar. What I was taught as a lector was to bow to make a profound bow to the altar before entering the sanctuary and after the reading while leaving the sanctuary.

matthew

 

[Cockney_Clive]

Marty has it right. Of course you bow to the altar as you go to the Lectern, just as you bow as you leave it. Respect. And don’t forget to bow again if you go forward to read the bidding prayers.

Your lady is wrong and the GIRM doesn’t say pay no respect to Christ (who is at the altar). It does sound like your local custom is to be disordered and irreverent at least if this lady is the standard.

 

[Elzee]

marty1818:

According to the GIRM you are not to genuflect to the tabernacle during mass. Not what you asked, but in the next section the GIRM talks about bows of the head and bows of the body(profound). Listed as a reason to profoundly bow is to the altar. What I was taught as a lector was to bow to make a profound bow to the altar before entering the sanctuary and after the reading while leaving the sanctuary.

matthew

in our parish, our lectors and cantors are instructed to not bow, but there is one lady who always bows when she approaches or leaves the altar when she is a lector. God bless her!

At our cathedral, the lectors make a profound bow to the altar and then a head bow towards the Bishop, and he bows his head back. Is this acceptable?

 

[Cockney_Clive]

Cleindian; BTW. Do not be afraid! The Holy Spirit will be with you. Just remember to prepare for your debut. Read and try to understand the verses you are reading. That means not only understanding in the mind, but also the heart.

Make sure you know how to pronounce any strange or difficult place names or personal names. The OT is especially full of such stumbling blocks. Make sure that you know the ‘beat’ of the sentences. Some of St. Paul’s epistles are very difficult - long sentences. Remember. Each comma is a mini pause (breath in), each semi-colon ( slighter longer pause for breath. Read it to yourself in your head to establish the rythm and where to change your voice to emphasise a word or a sentence. Imagine yourself standing at the lectern reading the Word of God.

Get to Church early. Then you can pray about your ministry, and collect yourself. You used to public speaking? If you feel nervous, take a few deep breaths and pray the rosary to calm yourself.

Remember: clear voice. Eye contact. Nice and slow reading. This is the Word of God and you are reading it. In fact, Church teaches that *at that moment * YOU ARE Christ. Suitable pause after reading the verse but before proclaiming THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD. Not too long but long enough for the words to sink into the hearts of the faithful.

God will be with you and we will all pray for you.

 

[viktor_aleksndr]

i think You need to bow to the altar of sacrifice.

 

[Cleindian44]

Cockney Clive:

Cleindian; BTW. Do not be afraid! The Holy Spirit will be with you. Just remember to prepare for your debut. Read and try to understand the verses you are reading. That means not only understanding in the mind, but also the heart.

Make sure you know how to pronounce any strange or difficult place names or personal names. The OT is especially full of such stumbling blocks. Make sure that you know the ‘beat’ of the sentences. Some of St. Paul’s epistles are very difficult - long sentences. Remember. Each comma is a mini pause (breath in), each semi-colon ( slighter longer pause for breath. Read it to yourself in your head to establish the rythm and where to change your voice to emphasise a word or a sentence. Imagine yourself standing at the lectern reading the Word of God.

Get to Church early. Then you can pray about your ministry, and collect yourself. You used to public speaking? If you feel nervous, take a few deep breaths and pray the rosary to calm yourself.

Remember: clear voice. Eye contact. Nice and slow reading. This is the Word of God and you are reading it. In fact, Church teaches that *at that moment * YOU ARE Christ. Suitable pause after reading the verse but before proclaiming THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD. Not too long but long enough for the words to sink into the hearts of the faithful.

God will be with you and we will all pray for you.

Thanks, Cockney!

Right now, I’m freakin’ out! I’'m doing the second reading and I see what you mean about St. Paul’s long sentences. I will definetely remember your pointers.

 

[marty1818]

Elzee:

At our cathedral, the lectors make a profound bow to the altar and then a head bow towards the Bishop, and he bows his head back. Is this acceptable?

I believe it is acceptable. It is down as a sign of respect for the Bishop and most likely his authority. I think it is unappropriate to do it to a regular priest though.

matthew

 

[Cleindian44]

I was watching Mass at Our Lady of the Angels on EWTN last night, and I noticed that those lectors did not bow when they approached the lectern. What gives?

 

[Mysty101]

Cleindian44:

Hi folks,

I am preparing for my first assignment as a lector this Sunday. A member of my parish’s Liturgy Committee has been preparing me. When I asked the question if I should make a profound bow before approaching the ambo for my reading, she told me no, and that we should not add anything that the GIRM did not specify. Further, she stated that she was not into bowing to any statutes or anything because the Tabernacle is not on the altar (the Tabernacle is in a section of the church in an cove behind some pews to the right of the altar).

I’ve seen it done both ways in different churches (bowing and not bowing). I don’t want to anger this lady by doing something contradictory to what she told me, but I also want to do what’s right and show the proper reverence. Is there any formal guidance on this or is it just governed by local custom? Help!!

While I certainly do not agree with what you are being told, It really is best to follow the instructions of the person training you. The bottom line is they were given the authority by the Pastor, so if you have a problem with anything they tell you, first question them, and them go to the Pastor, if you get no satisfaction. Individuals really do not have the authority to change a Parish procedure, especially if the situation is non abusive. (Perhaps it may be a minor abuse, but I think obedience to the Pastor takes priority over that)

In my Parish we do bow before we enter the Sanctuary, and again after we have left.

If I couldn’t live with the Parish procedures, I would resign from the ministry. We have one EMHC who insists on purifying the Chalices at the credence table during daily Mass. Our procedure is for the sacristant to do it after Mass. It just looks like she is calling attention to herself, and actually she is being disobedient because she was told not to do this.

The Catholic Church is not a democracy. Obedience is a high priority. Many Protestant sects do believe in the real presence–the real thing that separates them from us is their refusal to submit to authority.

 

[Mot_Juste]

I’m glad that Mysty101 spoke up on this. Cleindian44, I would definitely do your research on this question before defying your parish’s policy. The first step is to get a definitive answer on what exactly the norms are, what is custom, and what can legitimately be decided at the parish level.

If you come to the conclusion that the instructions you have been given are illicit, then you’ll have to decide what to do. Some options are:

• Just go along with it
• Quietly defy the rule by bowing when you think you ought
• Explain what you have learned to the liturgy committee and request a policy change
• Raise the issue with your pastor
• Drop out of lector ministry
• Change parishes

But until you are sure that there’s a problem, I think you should err on the side of obedience.

–Bill

 

[Mysty101]

I agree with all, except this

Quietly defy the rule by bowing when you think you ought

Obedience is always a priority, I don’t think there is even an exception for minor abuses.

I didn’t see anything in the GIRM instructions or the Bulletin insert on Postures, so I definitely would be very low key about questioning the procedure.

This is from the Lector at Mass
usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit3.shtml

Functions of the Lector

Introductory Rites

• In the procession to the altar, when no deacon is present, the lector, wearing the appropriate vesture, (2) may carry the Book of the Gospels elevated slightly. In that case, the lector walks in front of the priest, otherwise with the other ministers (194).
• Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the others.(3) If the lector is carrying the Book of the Gospels, the lector goes to the altar and places the Book of the Gospels on it. Then, the lector takes up a position in the sanctuary with the other ministers (195).

Liturgy of the Word

• At the ambo the lector proclaims the readings that precede the gospel reading. If there is no psalmist, the lector may also sing or recite the responsorial psalm after the first reading (196).
• After the priest gives the introduction to the General Intercessions, the lector may announce the intentions from the ambo when no deacon is present (197).
• If there is no opening liturgical song or communion song and the antiphons in the Missal are not said by the faithful, the lector may recite them at the appropriate time (198).