Reading at Mass
The ministry of Reader, or as it used to known, Lector, has a long tradition of assisting the celebrant in proclaiming the word of God. For those who read the lessons, psalm, acclamation and bidding prayers at Mass it’s important to prepare and to deliver the readings with conviction. This requires each reader to take account of the congregation and to use pauses and silence to allow those at Mass to take in the meaning of each reading of “the word of the Lord.”
The scriptures including the Gospels were written by people sometimes from very different cultures and traditions. Often narrative, sometimes poetry or parable, the style of the authors can be as different as those of our readers. So it is for our readers, women and men, young and old, local and from elsewhere, with a range of different accents and styles, we all do our very best to make the readings meaningful to those at Mass.
It is a privilege and responsibility to read at Mass and those wishing to join the readers’ rota should speak to one of the Priests who will arrange an ‘audition’. In our experience, it is best to listen to prospective readers first and then give advice on preparation, voice projection and use of the microphone. Do offer your services!
Thanks to the parishioners who coordinate the Mass Readers’ Rota.
The scriptures including the Gospels were written by people sometimes from very different cultures and traditions. Often narrative, sometimes poetry or parable, the style of the authors can be as different as those of our readers. So it is for our readers, women and men, young and old, local and from elsewhere, with a range of different accents and styles, we all do our very best to make the readings meaningful to those at Mass.
It is a privilege and responsibility to read at Mass and those wishing to join the readers’ rota should speak to one of the Priests who will arrange an ‘audition’. In our experience, it is best to listen to prospective readers first and then give advice on preparation, voice projection and use of the microphone. Do offer your services!
Thanks to the parishioners who coordinate the Mass Readers’ Rota.