Procedures for Lectors

1

Arrive 15 minutes before mass, sign in and place the reserved sign on your seat.

2

Check to make sure that the Lectionary is in place on the ambo

and open to the correct readings.

If there is no deacon,

review the Prayers of the Faithful

and be prepared to process the Book of the Gospels

3

Wait in the sacristy with the priest/presider, (deacon), altar server/s

until proceeding to the entrance of the Church.

4

When the entrance procession begins,

process a few steps behind the altar servers

whether or not you have the Book of the Gospels.

5

Arriving at the sanctuary,

wait for the deacon to place the gospel book on the altar

and then bow together with the priest and servers.

If you are processing the Book of the Gospels,

place it flat on the altar from the back

immediately upon your arrival at the sanctuary

and return to the step to bow with the other ministers.

6

When everyone sits after the Opening Prayer,

count to 15 and proceed to the ambo

stopping at the center of the altar to bow.

Do not begin if the ushers are using this break to seat people.

Wait until all activity has settled.

7

First Reading

8

Take a seat behind the ambo for the proclamation of the psalm by the cantor.

(or proclaim the psalm if necessary or planned)

9

Second Reading

10

After the second reading, close the lectionary

and place it on the lower shelf of the ambo

without making it look like you are trying to hide it.

(Be attentive to your posture and don’t get lost behind the ambo)

Return to your seat.

(Do not stop to bow and reverence the altar.)

If there is no deacon present,

as the creed concludes,

“We believe in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church…”

return to the ambo for the Prayer of the Faithful,

showing reverence to the altar with a bow as you approach.

Begin the petitions after the priest does the introduction.

Return to your seat without stopping the show reverence to the altar

when the priest/presider has completed the closing.

11

At the conclusion of the mass,

do not process out with the other ministers.

You come to proclaim the Word of God.

At the conclusion of the mass,

that Word, is carried out

by each and every member of the assembly

thanks to your ministry.