Lector Ministry

“Come Holy Spirit, into my mind and my heart as I read these Sacred Scriptures. Inspire me with your grace to proclaim this Living Word with sincerity and reverence. Help me to focus on the Word and discern its meaning so that I can communicate it clearly and enthusiastically. Each time I approach the Ambo, remind me that I am on holy ground and that the Ministry of proclaiming the Scriptures is a sacred trust. I place all my trust in you, that through your power, the people of God will hear and accept the Word into their hearts”

This simple prayer for Lectors, describes the focus and challenge before each Lector Minister. Being a Lector is more than just being a good reader. Our focus is centered on the spirituality of proclaiming Gods Word and in service to his people.

Vatican II has this to say about the lector/ reader:

“Readers exercise a genuine liturgical function. They ought to discharge their office therefore, with the sincere devotion and decorum by so exalted a ministry and rightly expected of them by God’s people. Consequently, they must be deeply imbued with the spirit of liturgy, in the measure of proper to each one. And they must be trained to perform functions in a correct and orderly manner”

If you have heard Gods call to proclaim His Word, we encourage you to explore the opportunity of becoming a Lector here at St. Joseph’s. Twice a year, normally May and October, we present a Six Week Lector Certification Program. The classes are held one evening each week, followed by two Saturday morning practicum’s.

Lectors have a critical role in the celebration of the Mass. Since the Lector proclaims not just any word, but the Word of God, it is essential that they develop the skills required to communicate God’s message competently.

In the fullness of time, the Word of God took flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. That Word continues to take flesh again and again whenever a man or woman stands up to proclaim it to the community of believers. God chose to work through human instruments, to play his song of love to the world.

The ministry of the lector calls for a person to grow in a warm and loving knowledge of Scripture, the living word of God. He or she is invited to enter into a relationship with a Word that is creative, powerful and effective.

The call to be a Lector is something that demands preparation. No one should get up to read to the community gathered for worship without this preparation. In becoming a Lector, you are accepting the responsibility to do your best, to practice, to make frequent self-evaluations and to continually look for ways to improve your ability to communicate the Word of God clearly to the congregation.

As a Lector you are entrusted with some of the most wonderful stories to come down through the ages, and it is through these stories that God continues to speak. These are stories about the rainbow that sealed God’s covenant with Noah; about the bush whose flames revealed a God on fire with love for his people; about the rib that became a woman.

As a Lector you must understand each story simply as a story. The ministry of a lector is a wonderful work, and an extremely rewarding ministry. Through your own sacrifice of time, effort, and preparation, God’s living Word continues to be proclaimed to all of his people; the young, the old, the troubled, the hopeless, the happy and to those in need of comfort. To be a lector is to be given an opportunity for your own personal growth in Jesus Christ.

We welcome all newcomers to our ministry. May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may worthily proclaim his holy Word. Any questions: Please contact the parish office at (707) 447-2354.