Lector

Before Mass (5pm)

• Arrive at 5pm and meet up with the rest of the liturgical ministry team in the sacristy
• Make sure the Lectionary is set to the appropriate page, and is placed on the lectern.
• Place the Prayer of the Faithful/Announcements binder in the lectern.
• Look over your reading and make sure you know how to pronounce all unusual names and words.

Just Before Mass
The server gets the cross from the sacristy and goes to the vestibule (the back of the church) with the priest and the lector(s), and proceeds when the choir starts singing.

Procession and Opening Hymn
When the procession reaches the altar, the server moves to the right, and the lector(s) to the left of the priest. The priest genuflects, and the lector(s) do the same; the server bows her/his head. The server brings the cross back to the sacristy, the lector(s) follow to their seat(s) at the left side of the sanctuary; the priest enters the sanctuary last, going to kiss the altar and then proceeding to his chair. The server comes back from the sacristy and goes to her/his seat at the right side of the sanctuary; the server bows to the altar when (s)he crosses behind it.

If the lectors elect to sit with the congregation for the duration of the Mass, only entering the sanctuary to read, then immediately returning to their seats, then they do not process with the server and priest.

Greeting

Penitential Rite (I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters...)

Kyrie (Lord, have mercy...)

Gloria

Opening Prayer
After the Opening Prayer, Lector 1 goes up to the lectern for the First Reading.

If Lector 1 is coming from the congregation, (s)he bows to the altar at the entrance to the sanctuary, then ascends the steps of the sanctuary to read.

First Reading
After the reading, if there is a musician to do the Responsorial Psalm, Lector 1 returns to her/his seat at the left side of the sanctuary.

If Lector 1 is returning to her/his seat with the congregation, (s)he goes down the steps to the threshold of the sanctuary, bows to the altar, and returns to her/his seat.

If there is no musician for the Responsorial Psalm, Lector 1 stays at the lectern to do the psalm, then returns to her/his seat at the left side of the sanctuary.

If Lector 1 is returning to her/his seat with the congregation, (s)he goes down the steps to the threshold of the sanctuary, bows to the altar, and returns to her/his seat.

Responsorial Psalm
After the Responsorial Psalm, Lector 2 goes up to the lectern for the second reading.

If Lector 2 is coming from the congregation, (s)he bows to the altar at the entrance to the sanctuary, then ascends the steps of the sanctuary to read.

Second Reading
After the reading, Lector 2 turns the page in the Lectionary to the Gospel for the priest. Then Lector 2 returns to her/his seat at the left side of the sanctuary. If Lector 2 came from the congregation, (s)he does not return to the congregation at this point; (s)he goes instead to the left side of the sanctuary. (S)he remains standing, as the priest and congregation are about to stand for the Alleluia/Gospel Acclamation.

Alleluia or Gospel Acclamation

Gospel

Homily

Profession of Faith/Creed (We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty...)
As the Creed is ending, Lector 2 goes to the lectern and opens the Petitions/Announcements binder to the petitions.

Prayer of the Faithful/Petitions (Lord, hear our prayer...)
The priest says a few words to introduce the petitions, then Lector 2 reads the petitions. When the intention refers to "those prayers we keep in the silence of our hearts," Lector 2 should pause for a moment, before saying "We pray to the Lord." Lector 2 stays at the lectern as the priest says a closing prayer. Lector 2 waits until the congregation is seated, then reads the announcements.

If there are no announcements, Lector 2 returns to her/his seat at the left side of the sanctuary. If Lector 2 is returning to her/his seat with the congregation, (s)he goes down the steps to the threshold of the sanctuary, bows to the altar, and returns to her/his seat.

Announcements
After the announcements, Lector 2 returns to her/his seat at the left side of the sanctuary.

If Lector 2 is returning to her/his seat with the congregation, (s)he goes down the steps to the threshold of the sanctuary, bows to the altar, and returns to her/his seat.

Recessional and Closing Hymn
The server gets the cross from the sacristy immediately after the blessing and then goes to the foot of the steps, and stands facing the tabernacle. After the priest kisses the altar, when he comes around to the front of the altar and genuflects toward the tabernacle, the server bows her/his head, then turns around (always to the right, i.e. clockwise) and processes out. If there are lectors remaining in the sanctuary, they come down to the foot of the steps and join the server. The server stands to the right, and the lector(s) to the left, as in the opening procession. The priest genuflects, the lectors(s) genuflect with him, then turn and process out behind the server but before the priest.

When the server reaches the back of the church (the vestibule), (s)he turns and faces the priest, holding the cross aloft. The lectors, if recessing, move to the left and right of the server and face the cross. The priest should bow to the altar and recite a brief prayer/exhortation. The lectors bow in unison with the priest.