Practical Tips For Readers

Preparing for Reading

Preparing for this ministry is ESSENTIAL. As the reader is like a prophet whose voice God uses to send His message to His people.

Practical Points

1. Please be faithful to the rota. If you cannot be present, then please inform the readers‟ coordinator. Go to see the priest before the Mass checking with him if he has any instructions for you.

2. Sit near to the front of the church when you are reading, do not rush to the Altar. Be ready to move to the lectern.

3. Move with dignity. Always read from the lectionary.

4. Bow at the altar step and make sure you have the attention of the assembly before starting to read. Adjust the microphone if needed! Try to look at the whole assembly on reaching the lectern. Pause. Announce the reading. There is NO need to say: ‘First reading’ or ‘the second reading’ or ‘reading is taken form’. Simply you announce e.g.: ‘A reading from the Book of Genesis’.

5. After the reading, pause for a moment, look at the assembly and then say “The Word of the Lord” (‘This is the word of the Lord’ is a mistake of translation from Latin so do no read ‘This is’ ) Periods of silence are an integral part of the liturgy.

6. There is NO need to introduce the psalm with words like ‘Responsorial Psalm’ or “Our response is”. People normally know that the psalm begins with an antiphon. Begin the psalm simply by reciting the Antiphon and letting the assembly repeat it e.g.: ‘The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want’ Remember that when reading the psalm, you are reading poetry – it should flow. When the verse is finished, look at the assembly and repeat the response with the assembly.

7. If the psalm is sung by a Cantor, then step aside after the first reading and participate in the responsorial psalm from the side.

8. After the psalm, introduce the Second Reading as written. You announce as before e.g.: ‘A reading form the Letter to the Hebrews’. After the reading pause again and say ‘The word of the Lord’ looking at the assembly. There is NO need to say “Let us stand to greet the Gospel” or anything similar. Do keep in mind that Gospel Acclamation is to be sung or omitted. Simply wait to read the verse or leave the sanctuary as the Gospel Acclamation is sung and priest or deacon is approaching the lectern . Bow and return to your place. If the Book of the Gospel is used move lectionary to another place (under the lectern).

9. If a deacon is not present, at the end of the Creed make your way to the altar again to pray the Prayers of the Faithful. Pray them. Don‟t simply read them. Pause briefly after each bidding. The presiding Priest will begin and conclude these prayers.

Effective Reading

1. SLOWLY

Reading fast is the biggest mistake beginners make. Read slowly. Ask someone to judge your speed when you are preparing for the reading.

2. CLEARLY.

Good diction and enunciation is important, especially for those who have hearing difficulties. Often people complain about the volume of reading but in reality it is often the lack of clarity. If the words are unusual consult the CTS booklet “Readers at Mass” for a full list of pronunciations.

3. USING THE MICROPHONE

Practice using the microphone before worship time. Adjust the microphone if needed. Although there is a microphone in place that does not mean that you should not project your voice to the back of the church.

4. EXPRESSIVE

Be expressive with the tone and mood of the text. Let the text guide you for the tone. If you have prepared then you will have some sense of the tone of the text. Monotone speaking will create boring readings. Worship should be lively and that begins with lively readings. Yet too exuberant reading can take the focus away from scripture and take it into the realms of the playhouse! Read to the punctuation and if it does not make cogent sense then use your own pausing to ensure clarity.

5. DECORUM

Since the focus should be on the Word of God, Readers’ clothing should be appropriate – not too excessively flamboyant or too casual.

6. MISTAKES

We are never perfect. If a mistake is made stop and reread the verse. There is NO need to say “Sorry” or “Please, excuse me”. Continue with the reading with confidence, knowing that God expects faithful worship and not a performance. If you accept that it is all right to make mistakes, this will lessen any feelings of nervousness. You may well find that it is a considerable help to follow the text with a finger so that when you look up you can be sure of finding your place again.

7. PAUSE

At the end of the reading pause for 5 seconds and then say “The word of the Lord” The emphasis should be on the WORD and LORD.

Additional Duties

A reader can also start the entrance and communion antiphons when there is no singing.

For communion wait till the priest consumes from the chalice. Check with the priest beforehand. Start Sanctus and Agnus Dei.

If Misterium fidei - the Mystery of Faith is said, the reader can start the acclamation. It is important to use all given forms of acclamations.