Procedures

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Processional

As first reader, you participate in the entrance procession and establish your place in the procession depending on whether a deacon is present. When a deacon is not present, the reader walks in the procession immediately in front of the celebrant.  You should solemnly carry the Book of Gospels (found on the window sill in the vestibule) by holding it slightly elevated in front of yourself with the cover facing forward – the spine in your right hand. Only the Book of Gospels is carried in the entrance procession. The Lectionary would never be carried in the procession.  When a deacon is present at the Cathedral, the first reader does not process.

When you reach the front of the church, move up the step and follow the usual pattern – approach the altar by the St. Joseph side and place the Book of Gospels face down on the altar.  The Book of Gospels remains visible on the altar as a symbol of the presence of God’s Word with the assembly.  When you place the book on the altar make sure it is far enough from the edge – allowing room for the celebrant(s) to kiss the altar without having to adjust the book.  As you are placing the Book on the altar, the cross-bearer is placing the processional cross into the stand.  Both of you are to return to the main floor where the rest of those in the procession are waiting.  Once you are on the main floor at the step, all genuflect (or bow as able).  After you genuflect, you may move to your place in the assembly.

Please do not try to return to your seat via the St. Joseph side – the presider’s chair is located on that side along with seating for the servers and it will become too congested if you try to go out the way you came in. 

Move out of the space by using the Blessed Mother side and join the others on the main floor somewhere along the step. 

The best seating arrangements are those which allow ministers to reach their necessary positions with ease so as to cause as little distraction as possible for the assembly.  Care should be taken that the reader is seated, if possible, in a place which is near the ambo.

Liturgy of the Word

The Word of God is proclaimed from the ambo, which is the symbol of the presence of the Word of God in the Church, just as the altar is the symbol of the Eucharist.  The Liturgy of the Word takes place at and around the ambo. The ambo is to be used for the readings (including the singing of the Responsorial Psalm by the cantor), the homily, the general intercessions, and the Exultet during the Easter Vigil.  All other necessary reading, such as parish announcements, are conducted at a designated podium or lectern.

Although some aspects of liturgy preparation invite creativity and some artistic freedom, the actual reading of the Scriptures is not one of them. All who proclaim God’s Word, whether clergy or layperson, read only the words that are printed in the Lectionary or Book of the Gospels. No words of the text are changed, and none are added, either to the introduction or the closing of the scripture readings. The lector begins a reading by saying, “A reading from the Book of ...” He or she does not say “The first reading is from ...”. Similarly, at the reading’s conclusion, the lector reads, “The word of the Lord,” and nothing else.

The GIRM instructs that “it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, accommodated to the gathered assembly, in which, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response through prayer may be prepared.” Readers are encouraged to observe these periods of silence both prior to the first reading,

and after the first and second readings. It is recommended that the assembly observe a brief period of silence, as well, after the homily.

Reader #1

After the Opening Prayer, all sit.  The priest may, in very few words, introduce the faithful to the Liturgy of the Word.  Reader #1 then approaches the ambo by way of the main aisle.  If you are seated by a side aisle, you may approach from the side but move to the main aisle and offer a profound bow from that position.  Move into the ambo and proclaim the first reading from the Lectionary already placed there before Mass.

• Always move to the center of the main aisle and offer a profound bow toward the altar before stepping up to enter the ambo. 

• Adjust the microphone if necessary. 

• Allow the room to settle before beginning. 

• Breathe.  Begin with “A reading from the Book of …” This should be very familiar so that you can look up and make a connection with the assembly.  Proceed with the proclamation.

When finished, a good reader will pause before making the announcement “The word of the Lord.” to allow the text of the reading ample time to settle in the ears of the listeners.  All respond “Thanks be to God.” Remain in the ambo while the assembly responds.  Return to your place in the assembly following their response. You will need to come to the main aisle each time you approach the ambo or return to your seat.  When we transition between the First Reading and the Psalm, you will be meeting the cantor on the main floor at the step in the center aisle and bowing together as you come or go.  Please note your placement on the floor of the main aisle. C=cantor, R1= First Reader, R2=Second Reader.

Before First Reading

First Reading to Responsorial Psalm –

meet cantor in aisle on main floor at step

• Deliver the announcement “The word of the Lord” with strength and conviction.

• Please wait for the people of God to respond before returning to your seat.

• See diagram above for the approach and the return.

Reader #2

After the cantor has completed the psalm, reader 2 should move right away to meet the cantor in the main aisle.  See diagram below. 

Responsorial Psalm to Second Reading

Begin with “A reading from the Letter/Book …” Conclude with “The word of the Lord.”  Remain in place while the church responds: “Thanks be to God.”  After the ritual response, close the Lectionary and place it in the large,  vertical slot below - on the right side of the ambo - it is important that you place the book in the slot and not leave it on the reading desk or on the side shelf. 

• Always move to the center of the main aisle, meet the cantor, and offer a profound bow toward the altar before stepping up to enter the ambo.     

• Adjust the microphone if necessary. 

• Breathe.  Begin with “A reading from the Letter of …” This should be memorized so that you can establish eye contact with the assembly.  Proceed with the proclamation.

When you finish the proclamation, pause, and then make the announcement “The word of the Lord.”  All respond “Thanks be to God.”

• Deliver the announcement “The word of the Lord” with strength and conviction.

• After the response “Thanks be to God”, close the Lectionary and place it in the large, vertical slot on the right of the ambo before returning to your place in the assembly.  See the diagram below.

After Second Reading

Before and after the Prayer of the Faithful

Reader #2

Towards the end of the Creed, as we reach “I believe in the Holy Spirit, …”, Reader #2, should move into place in the ambo and stand, ready to start, while finishing the recitation of the Creed.  Please see the diagram above.  The priest begins the introduction to the Prayer of the Faithful with you already in place.  A deep bow is made to the altar as you did when coming forward for the proclamation of the word.    

After the priest finishes the introductory lines, the lector then reads each intercession pausing briefly before saying the words “We pray to the Lord.”

• The role of the lector is to announce the intention of the prayer – the assembly’s response is the prayer.  A pause allows the assembly to be mentally aware of the intention for which they are praying.

At the conclusion of the petitions, remain in the ambo and wait until the celebrant has ended the closing prayer (e.q., “We ask this through Christ our Lord”) – then, return to your place in the assembly.

• We always pray for the dead.  When there is no one named at your Mass time, you still offer the intention by reading the line above the table and connecting it to the line below.

For our sisters and brothers who have died,

May they rest forever in the loving embrace of God.  We pray to the Lord.

• Your last petition does not conclude the Prayer of the Faithful; therefore, remain still.  After the celebrant finishes, you may return to your place in the assembly.

• You may return directly to your seat.

• In summary – the priest introduces the intentions addressing the people; the petitioner announces the intentions addressing the people; the people respond addressing God; and the priest concludes addressing God.