PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD OF GOD AT MASS

There are three rules to be Proclaimers vs. Communicators of the Word of God.

1. The biblical-liturgical formation.
"The reader must have an understanding of Sacred Scripture structure, conposition, number and name of the sacred books of the Old and New Testaments, their main literary genres (historical, poetic, prophetic, sapiential, etc.)  Those who climb the ambo must know what they are going to do and what kind of text they are going to proclaim.

The Proclaimer is responsible not only for the proclamation of the biblical readings, but also for the intentions of universal prayers and other parts that are indicatd in the various liturgical rites.

2.  The technical preparation
The reader must know how to access and be in the ambo, how to use the microphone, how to use the lectionary, how to promounce the different names and biblical terms, how to proclaim the texts, avoiding a dull or overly emphatic reading.

He/she must have a clear conscience that he/she exercises a public ministry before the liturgical assembly: His/her proclamation therefore must be heard by all.

The Verbum Domini with which each reading ends is not a verification (this is the Word of God0, but an acclamation full of wonder, which chould elicit the grateful response of the whole assembly (Deo gratias) (Thanks be to God).

3. Spiritual formation

The Church does not entrust to external actors the announcement of the Word of God, but entrusts this ministry to its faithful, inasmuch as all service to the Church must come from the faith and nourish it.

The proclamation of God's Word in the middle of the Assembly is an honor, not a right.  Therefore, the reader must seek to take care of the interior life of Grace and to be predisposed with a spirit of prayer and a look of faith.

This dimension edifies the Christian people, who see in the reader a witness of the Word that he proclaiims.  This, although effective by itself, aslo acquires, from the holiness of the one who transmits it, a singular splendor and a mysterious attraction.

Care for the reader's own inner life, as well as good sense, also depends on the propriety of his/her gestures, look, dress and hairstyle.

The ministry of the reader implies a public life according to the commandments of God and the laws of the Church.

To be effective in this specific and important ministry, training for the task is provided before taking up this responsibility of speaking God's Word with understanding and convction.

The Lector's Ministry Coordinator, (to be determined), will be assigned to Sunday Masses at intervals of approximately twice a month.

For more information place call the Parish Office at 973-694-5700.

View Lector's Guidelines here