At St Francis of Assisi, Paddington, Sydney, Australia
1.1 Reading is a lay ministry - one which is open to all baptised people
1.2 Lectors, according to Canon law (church law) can be women, men, girls and boys of all ages. They help the priest and people to celebrate the mass and other liturgies in a more prayerful and dignified way.
1.3 Lectors should be praying in action. Don't ever forget that the main reason we are there is to worship God, and to do this in good and friendly relationships with our fellow Christians. If we're rude or stressed, we're not worshipping well. Being on time will help in reducing stress.
1.4 Paddington Parish will begin formally instituting this ministry at major liturgies from 2001 onwards - to give greater recognition to this ministry, and to provide better formation and confidence for Lectors.
1.5 Lectors should always know what they are doing (or at least look very solemnly like they knew exactly what they were doing, even when making a little mistake, so the people are not distracted, and so they don't draw unnecessary attention to themselves). If you fall over or drop something, there's no covering-up, so smile and look sheepish - but never ashamed - because you are performing a very important and holy service, and although the Coordinator of Ceremonies might be stressed out, God forgives all….
1.6 Lectors add a great sense of occasion to liturgies, so be proud of what you are doing. When done well, you proclaim the Word of God in a way which enlivens it and makes it more effective among God's People……
2.1.1 For sung liturgies on major Feasts and Solemnities, lectors should arrive, ideally, no later than 15 minutes before any liturgy begins, so that all preparations can be made in good time, and without rushing.
2.1.2 Preparation is key for the Lector. You should familiarize yourself with the reading in the previous week be reading it out loud in private. Commentaries and study guides can be helpful in understanding the context and theology of a particular reading - and will help you to proclaim it with greater understanding and conviction. If you have an eidetic memory (some do…..) then you might like to memorise the text - especially if it is a short, or favourite reading.
2.1.3 Say hello to the Coordinator of Ceremonies and look pleased to see her/him so Sunday mass gets off in the right mood. The CC will then brief you on any other special instructions.
2.1.4 Before reading check the ordo booklet to double check you have the right readings for the day. You should go up to the Ambo, and make sure the correct lectionary book is there, and that it is marked in the right place. You should also read the portion one more time to yourself.
2.2.1 Join the entrance procession at the back of the church and stand where the CC tells you.
2.2.2 When ready to move, the Thurifer will be at the very front of the procession, followed by the Crucifer (the cross is why incense is used) with Torchbearer 1 and Torchbearer 2 just behind. The crucifer and torches should move almost up to the beginning of the pews at the back (so the people can continue coming in). "Water" and "wine" should be right behind.
2.2.3 The choir (on choir Sundays) should be standing in two lines on the Sydney-City side of the church, ready to join in the procession, behind the torch-bearers.
2.2.4 The other lay-ministers (lectors and eucharistic ministers) should be behind the choir.
2.2.5 As the Choirmaster welcomes the congregation, the thurifer and boat-bearer move to the priest, who places incense into the Thurible. The Thurifer goes to the front of the Crucifer. The Boat Bearer, "Water and "Wine" stand behind the Torch-Bearers.
2.2.6 The procession begins as soon as the hymn starts, with the thurifer leading, incensing in front of the cross. The thurifer should set a slow pace. We're supposed to enjoy the procession in; not be out of breath by the end of it…….…….it's all about the people of God on their pilgrim way to the City of God……
2.2.7 Upon reaching the sanctuary steps, the thurifer and boat continue up, but the other servers should spread out on either side, leaving a "gate" for the lay Ministers, priest and choir. They should stand wide enough for the five lay-ministers to form part of the gate inside them, so when the priest arrives, there is enough room for him to walk to the centre.
2.2.8 The thurifer and boat should continue straight up (unlike the other servers who wait), and stand by on the North side of the altar-table, ready for the celebrant to kiss the altar and incense it.
2.2.9 When the priest arrives at the centre, all genuflect on his cue (except for the crucifer, thurifer and Torch-bearers who would drop things - they just bow their heads).
2.2.10 As the priest moves up to kiss the altar, the lay ministers return to their seats, and the servers move up to their places in the sanctuary.
2.2.11 "Water" and "Wine" as well as "Bell" go to their places in the servers' pew. The priest, meanwhile, incenses the altar and cross.
2.3.1 On very important festivals, the torch-bearers go (without torches) to usher the 1st Lector, Cantor (if there is one - there usually isn't) and 2nd Lector to the lectern.
2.3.2 The First Lector should check with the CC, priest of Choirmaster to make sure the psalm is being sung, and that therefore Lector 1 does not need to lead the psalm (this varies at different masses)
2.3.3 The Second Lector should have already checked with the choirmaster (when the choir is present) to see if the Gospel Acclamation is being sung (so the lector doesn't read it out, and then the choir sings it all again with the people - it DOES happen….). The General liturgical instructions say that if the Gospel Acclamation is not sung, it should usually be omitted altogether.
2.3.3 At Solemn liturgies (but not all the time), before each reading, with hands joined, the servers go to the carpet in front of the altar steps, and stand side by side facing the altar - with a gap in between. The Lector approaches, stands between them, and they all bow to the celebrant. They then all go up to the ambo, and the servers flank the Lector, with hands joined and facing inwards to the ambo itelf. When the reading is over, they all go back to the front of the altar steps, bow to the altar, and the Lector and servers return to their places. This ushering is simply a way of giving the lectors more support, and making the occasion more solemn.
2.3.4 At Simpler occasions, the servers do not usher the lectors; the lector simply goes through this process alone.
3.1 As soon as the Creed is complete, the lector gets ready to lead the prayer of the Faithful
3.2 As the Creed concludes, the appointed lector goes to the ambo; being in place as the last words of the Creed are recited.
3.3 Paddington Parish uses a more "antiphonal" form of the prayer of the Faithful - where the people's response form half of the actual prayer.
4.1 As soon as the final hymn (or organ postlude) starts the servers move into the sacristy, get their stuff, and then form up down in front of the altar, forming a "gate" facing East with Cross and candles held high.
4.2 The servers should stand far enough apart to allow enough space for the lay ministers (lectors and eucharistic ministers) to join the final line-up for the procession out.
4.3 The Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers Actually follow the cross, Torch-bearers and servers (the Lectors and Eucharistiv Mininsters are at the front of the procession out rather than the back as when they came in…)
4.4 After the choirmaster's cue (usually the last verse of the hymn), all ministers turn and lead the choir out at a slow pace. Let the choir almost reach you before you turn (so they don't have to run to catch up - it's a bad look). The Coordinator of Ceremonies (when there is one) will give you the cue to turn if you are in doubt.
Ambo The lectern (where the readings are proclaimed)
Altar The Holy Table at the front of the sanctuary (nearest the people) (Back altar Former altar which now holds the tabernacle)
Agnus the "Agnus Dei" or "Lamb of God" (just the Latin term for it)
"Bell" The server(s) who ring the bells for the Sanctus and at other times.
"Boat" the Boat bearer is the server who carries the incense boat, and who hands it to the celebrant at the right times
CC The Coordinator of Ceremonies is the person who is responsible for making sure the liturgy proceeds in good order, and who is the "trouble-shooter". The CC assists the priest, lay ministers and servers by giving quiet reminders of what comes next. All servers see the CC as their glorious leader - and are almost as obedient to the CC as they are to the Parish Priest or Pastoral Associate.
Crucifer The server who has the dignity of carrying the cross in procession. On Great Holy Days, the Crucifer at Paddington wears the tunicle in the colour of the day in order to make clear the honour given to the cross
Deacon The ordained minister of Charity - mentioned in the Bible in 1 Timothy Chapter 3, Philippians Chapter 1, and Romans Chapter 16 (the Catholic church no longer has women deacons). Deacons can preach, marry people, bury people and lead a parish- but they cannot celebrate the mass or give absolution for confession. Paddington rarely has a deacon present, but there are now many permanent, celibate and married deacons in Australia and the world.
Eucharistic Minister The lay-minister who assist the priest in distributing Holy Communion time, and for Communion to the sick.
Feasts The second-most important days of celebration.
Lector The lay-minister who proclaims the reading at liturgy Monstrance Also called an "ostensory", this is the precious display container used at benediction and exposition of the blessed sacrament
Ordo The small booklet (kept in the sacristy in the glass-covered slot) which tells you the feast-day, the readings and the colour of the day.
Relics These are sacred memorials of Saints. They are usually small pieces of bone taken from the body of the saint, and are often placed in a sealed, secure place in the altar of a church - to remind us that many people have actually given their life to protect the Catholic faith. Paddington church has a relic of St Francis in a special ostensory (usually kept in the safe).
Thurible The incense burner
Thurifer The server who carries the thurible, and whose job it is to know when, where and how incense is used at liturgies
Torch-bearer The server who carries the torch in processions and at the Sanctus Water The server who carries the water for the offertory and the lavabo (may also be the Bell) Wine The server who carries the wine at the offertory, and the finger towel at the lavabo (may also be the Bell)
6.The General Instruction on the Roman Missal
This is the Main Church source document which is relevant for servers and other lay Ministers
Chapter III, Part III: Special Ministries
66. The reader is instituted to proclaim the readings from Scripture, with the exception of the gospel. He may also announce the intentions for the general intercessions and, in the absence of the psalmist, sing or read the psalm between the readings. The reader has his own proper function in the eucharistic celebration and should exercise this even though ministers of a higher rank may be present. Those who exercise the ministry of reader, even if they have not received institution, must be truly qualified and carefully prepared in order that the faithful will develop a warm and lively love for Scripture from listening to the reading of the sacred texts.
67. The cantor of the psalm is to sing the psalm or other biblical song that comes between the readings. To fulfill their function correctly, these cantors should possess singing talent and an aptitude for correct pronunciation and diction.
70. Laymen, even if they have not received institution as ministers, may perform all the functions below those reserved to deacons. At the discretion of the rector of the church, women may be appointed to ministries that are performed outside the sanctuary. The conference of bishops may permit qualified women to proclaim the readings before the gospel and to announce the intentions of the general intercessions. The conference may also more precisely designate a suitable place for a woman to proclaim the word of God in the liturgical assembly.
71. If there are several persons present who are empowered to exercise the same ministry, there is no objection to their being assigned different parts to perform. For example, one deacon may take the sung parts, another assist at the altar; if there are several readings, it is better to distribute them among a number of readers. The same applies for the other ministries.
72. If only one minister is present at a Mass with a congregation, he may carry out several different functions.
73. All concerned should work together in the effective preparation of each liturgical celebration as to its rites, pastoral aspects, and music. They should work under the direction of the rector of the church and should consult the faithful.