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Procedures for
Readers – Spring 2011
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.
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Always move to the
center of the main aisle and offer a profound bow toward the
altar before stepping up to enter the ambo.
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Adjust the microphone
if necessary.
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Allow the room to
settle before beginning.
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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
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Blessed
Mother |
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Saint
Joseph |
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A L T A R |
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Ambo |
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Cantor
Stand |
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R1 |
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First Reading to Responsorial
Psalm –
meet cantor in aisle on main
floor at step
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Blessed
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Saint
Joseph |
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A L T A R |
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Ambo |
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Cantor
Stand |
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C R1 |
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Deliver the
announcement “The word of the Lord” with strength and
conviction.
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Please wait for the
people of God to respond before returning to your seat.
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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
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Blessed
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Saint
Joseph |
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Ambo |
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Cantor
Stand |
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R2 C |
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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.
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Adjust the microphone
if necessary.
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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.”
After Second Reading
Before and after the Prayer of
the Faithful
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Blessed
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Saint
Joseph |
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Ambo |
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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.”
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.
For our
sisters and brothers who have died,
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5:00pm |
Especially Paula
Clagett, for whom this Mass is offered; |
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7:30am |
Especially Henry
Taylor, for whom this Mass is offered; |
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10:30am |
Especially Marge
Keyes, for whom this Mass is offered; |
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12:00pm |
Especially Nicolo
and Graciela Dagnino, for whom this Mass is offered; |
May they rest
forever
in the loving
embrace of God. We pray to the Lord.
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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.
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You may return
directly to your seat.
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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.
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