• The Inspired Lector
  • June 2024
  • September 2024
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Thank you for sharing your time and talent as readers during Mass. Your dedication in proclaiming the Word of God is invaluable!
As you continue to serve as Lectors at Mass, we're pleased to offer you The Inspired Lector, a series of helpful tips to elevate your role.
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​Your Role
​​The role of lector is extremely important - you are proclaiming the Word of GOD as opposed to merely reading a novel or newspaper article. The goal is not to dramatize the reading but to present the inspired writing in a way that allows the listener to focus on the words, reflect on them and personalize them. You are giving voice to the Word of God!
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​Body Language
​You should adopt a good posture, if physically able to do so, and walk with hands folded or kept naturally at your side. Walk at a reverent pace, slower than usual.

​Announcement Line
​The lead-in or announcement line tells the listeners from whom or from where the reading comes, e.g. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Proclaim the announcement line loudly and clearly.
And always pause... for a few healthy seconds after the line is read. This will give the assembly a chance to place the prophet, era or Biblical location in their minds and ready them to actively listen to the passage.
Eye Contact
​You may be doing everything else right—maintaining proper pace, pausing effectively, and speaking in a clear, engaging manner—but if you don't make eye contact with your listeners, you won't connect with them.
​Here are some of the best times to look directly at your audience:
  • When you first approach the ambo
  • When you proclaim the announcement line
  • At the end of a sentence
  • During key words or phrases
  • When changing gears (e.g., changes in mood, time, place, character, etc.)
  • Just before the closing line (i.e., "The Word of the Lord")
  • During and after the closing line
​Pro Tip: You don't have to do this all at once. Start by focusing on one or two of these moments.
​Once you're comfortable, gradually incorporate more.
​DEFINITION OF TERMS
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Liturgy: official public worship of the Church, of which Eucharist is first and foremost.

​Ambo: Also known as Lectern or Pulpit, this is the sacred space from which the word of God is proclaimed.
It is reserved for the readings, the psalm and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet).  It is also used for the homily and the Universal Prayer.
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Lectionary:  the book used at Mass that contains the Scripture passages for the First Reading, Responsorial Reading and Second Reading. This book is not carried in procession.
 
Book of the Gospels: a separate book from the Lectionary that contains the Gospel Readings used at Mass and is carried in procession.
Reminder: Lectors should not start moving towards the ambo to read the Prayers of the Faithful the completion of the Creed.
Waiting until the Creed is finished shows reverence for the profession of faith and avoids any distractions during the Creed itself
Rate
What do you think are the two biggest complaints about Lector performance? 
​You probably guessed at least one of them, if not both. One is rate and the other is volume, i.e. "They read too fast" and "I cannot hear them."
As a rule, Lectors should proclaim at one-half their normal speaking voice. Slowing down accomplishes several things:
  • ​People do not listen as fast as you may speak and people need time to digest what you are saying to them.  Slowing down helps achieve clearer pronunciation and enunciation.
  • Slowing down brings an added dimension of power to the reading.
  • You may feel you are speaking too slowly, but I assure you those listening will appreciate it. Try it and see the difference for yourself. 
​Volume
The other of the two most common criticisms that listeners have of Lectors is they cannot be heard. Equipment issues aside, more often than not, it has to do with the Lector’s ability to project, voice quality and/or their use of the microphone.
Not all Lectors have the ability to create effective volume. Some have small or naturally soft voices; others do not breathe correctly and still others may not realize that the volume they hear in their own voice at the ambo is not nearly as loud beyond the first few pews as they may think.
  • the key to projecting effectively is:
  • proper breathing
  • a natural gift of volume
  • correct microphone usage
  • confidence 
​Pausing
Silence is golden, at least in the right spots and the proper use of pausing is essential to effective proclaiming. This is the one tool that eludes many a lector.
Let us consider some strategic places to use the pause:
  • to provide a segue when the reading is changing direction
  • to allow listeners to absorb an important point
  • to provide space between multiple thoughts in the same sentence
  • to take a breath
  • before and after quotes to offset the quote from the character or narrator
  • after the announcement line "A Reading from..."
  • before the closing line, "The Word of the Lord"  
Practice
To expect a Lector to practice seems obvious. However, you’d be surprised at how many Lectors omit out this basic step. 
To practice means to read the reading out loud while standing up. Practice out loud as many times as possible. Practice on at least two different days, if possible.
Other helpful things you can do are: 
  • practice in front of a mirror 
  • practice with a tape recorder 
  • practice with a video camera and practice in front of your children or grandchildren (children are great critics)
Thank you for embracing the profound honor of proclaiming the Word of God to our parish community. By sharing the words inspired by the Holy Spirit, you help nourish, instruct and inspire us all. Your dedication to bringing the Scriptures to life helps guide us all closer to God.