Lectors at Mass

Dear Sr. Manners: I appreciate those people who proclaim the scripture readings, but I have noticed that some readers put life into the readings and are easy to follow, and others read in a monotone. Do they all get the same training?

Dear Gentle Christian: Sr. Manners appreciates them, too. The ministry of proclaiming the Word is an important part of the "work of the people" (the literal meaning of the word, "liturgy"). Those who offer themselves as lectors are trained, and receive books which guide them in how to proclaim the readings for each week. The differences you have observed in readers are in part due to the different personalities of the readers. Some people are more animated than others. That being said, Sr. Manners would also like to remind lectors that proclaiming is different from reading aloud. The ministry of the lector is to bring the Word to life in the assembly. This is done by reading with expression -- with appropriate pauses, inflections and emphases -- and by reading slowly and loudly enough to be clearly understood. Proclaiming is halfway between simply reading aloud as one might read a newspaper article to someone else, and performing for an audience. The ministry of the assembly is to listen attentively and quietly, showing both reverence for the Word and respect for the person who proclaims it.

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