1. Lectors should arrive to the church 15 minutes before the Mass. Check the Readings for the day, Commentary and prayer of the faithful. See the priest who is scheduled to celebrate Mass if there are any special instructions. The gathering place will be the Sacristy downstairs across from the where priest, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers will meet before Mass.
2. Commentary and announcements are to be done on time after the church bell ringing before Mass by the Lector. Before the Mass Lector should put the Book of the Gospels in the stand on the Altar (the stand can be found inside the cabinet on the right side of the Altar).
3. Lector should be prepared and should approach the Ambo after the conclusion of an opening prayer (Collect). Lector should stop in front of the Altar and make a deep bow reverencing the Altathen proceed to the Ambo to do the Readings. After delivering the first Reading, Lector should step back one step and should remain standing for a period of time (3- 5 seconds) and goes to the his/her place in the pew on the Blessed Mother side.
In case if there is only one Lector there will be a slight change. Instead of going back to the pew after concluding the first Reading the Lector should go and take a seat at one of the three chairs on the Blessed Mother side for the duration of Responsorial Psalm unless Lector has to read the Psalm also.
First pew will be reserved for two Lectors on the inside next to the central isle on the Blessed Mother side. Responsorial Psalm will be done normally by the leader of the song from the choir loft. Then second reading should be read by the Lector. After delivering the second Reading Lector shall step back one step and should remain standing for a period of time (3-5 seconds) and goes back to the his/her place in the pew. Lectors should dress in their normal Sunday clothes.
4. Sign of Peace: For the sign of Peace Lectors should step forward to the step of the Altar and the Priest will come to them to exchange the sign of Peace. Then they exchange the sign of Peace among themselves, Eucharistic Ministers, servers and with the people around them.
5. Communion Rite: Lectors will receive the Communion approaching the Altar the same way as all people in the church. Announcements If there are any it should be done after the Communion Prayer.
6. Recessional Rite: After receiving the final Blessing Lectors will join the priest, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers by the step in front of the Altar and genuflect with the priest before departing to the Entrance door. After reaching the Vestibule Lector and Eucharistic Ministers should go to the side and stand at the side middle landing in one of the corners to greet people leaving the church.
Thank you for your cooperation. May God bless you.
Fr. Leon
