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| The
Lector at Mass |
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| When the Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself is
speaking to his people, and Christ, present in his own word, is
proclaiming the gospel. The readings of God's word must
therefore be listened to by all with reverence; they make up a
principal element of the liturgy. In the biblical readings,
God's word addresses all people of every era and is
understandable to them, and a fuller understanding and efficacy
are fostered by a living commentary on it, that is to say, by
the homily, understood as an integral part of the liturgical
action (GIRM 29). |
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| In texts that are to be delivered in a loud and clear voice,
whether by the priest or deacon or by the lector, or by all, the
tone of voice should correspond to the genre of the text, that
is, accordingly as it is a reading, a prayer, an instruction, an
acclamation, or a liturgical song; the tone should also be
suited to the form of celebration and to the solemnity of the
gathering. Other criteria are the idiom of different languages
and the genius of peoples. (38). |
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| The liturgy of the word must be celebrated in such a way as
to promote meditation. For this reason, any kind of haste which
impedes recollection must be clearly avoided. Brief moments of
silence are appropriate during the liturgy. Such moments should
be suitable for the gathered assembly, in which the Word of God
is taken into the heart by the fostering of the Holy Spirit, and
its response is prepared through prayer. Such moments of silence
are opportunely observed after the first and second reading, and
then, at the completion of the homily (56). |
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- After the opening prayer, all sit. The priest may, in a
very few words, introduce the faithful to the liturgy of the
word. Then the lector goes to the ambo and proclaims the
first reading from the Lectionary already placed
there before Mass; all sit and listen. At the end, the
lector makes the acclamation, The Word of the Lord,
with all responding, Thanks be to God.
- Then a brief period of silence may be observed as
appropriate, so that all may meditate on what they have
heard (128).
- The psalmist or the lector sings or recites the psalm
verse and, as a rule, the congregation makes the response
(129).
- If there is a second reading before the Gospel, the
lector proclaims it from the ambo with all listening and
making the acclamation at the end, as above (128). Then, as
the occasion allows, a brief period of silence may be
observed (130).
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- 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).
- 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).
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