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of the fruits of the liturgical reform following Vatican II is
that there is a renewed emphasis on the importance of the
Liturgy of the Word with the treasures of the Bible opened up
more lavishly. The work of the reader is of the greatest value
in the process of renewal.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacram
Liturgiam) encourages the laity to be evangelists and gives
them the responsibility of actively participating in the
liturgy.
While all of us are to be involved through our
attentiveness in every part of Mass, some have particular
liturgical roles. One of these is to be a Reader (or Lector),
an office with a long and honourable history, dating back to the
life of the early Church.
The Reader has a
vital contribution to make to the Liturgy of the Word. The
General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that:
“When
the Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself is speaking
to his people, and Christ, present in his own word, is
proclaiming the gospel. The readings of God's word must
therefore be listened to by all with reverence; they make up a
principal element of the liturgy. In the biblical readings,
God's word addresses all people of every era and is
understandable to them, and a fuller understanding and efficacy
are fostered by a living commentary on it, that is to say, by
the homily, understood as an integral part of the liturgical
action.” (cf GIRM 29)
“The lector is
instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with
the exception of the gospel reading. They may also announce the
intentions for the General Intercessions and, in the
absence of the psalmist, sing or read the psalm between the
readings. In the celebration of the Eucharist, the lector has
specific duties which they alone ought to perform, even though
ordained ministers may be present.” (cf GIRM 99)
A Minister of the Word reads approximately once a
month at Mass. In preparation they study the appropriate
passages of scripture, trying to understand the messages
contained therein to proclaim it clearly to the congregation.
Readers meet a
number of times during the year to receive ongoing training in
proclaiming the Word of God. |
