Guidelines for Readers in the Celebration of the Eucharist

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Thurgoona

1. General Principles

The Liturgy of the Word – The Mass can be thought of as “two halves.”  The first “half” is the Liturgy of the Word, and the second “half” is the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Since it is such an integral and very important part of the Mass, it is critical that the congregation can clearly hear and understand the Liturgy of the Word.  Therefore, it is desirable that persons who offer themselves for this most important service to the worshipping community will have good speaking skills or the ability and passion to quickly gain such skills.

 Preparation - The five P’s: prior planning, prevents poor performance.  Try to read the passage through at least twice before coming up to proclaim (more is better).  Preparation will help with nerves as well as helping to grasp and convey the sense of the reading.  Practise reading aloud to another person or into a recorder if beneficial.  To help with nerves, focus on the task at hand rather than being self-conscious.  Stage fright is the energetic desire to do well.  Preparation helps to control it.

Clarity – The clarity of your voice is related to the tone of your voice, the speed at which you speak, the volume of your voice, and the modulation of your voice.  Ideally, the reader should try to “throw” or “project” their voice to the back of the Church, speaking as if the microphone were not there (we are not reading to ourselves but proclaiming the Word to others).  This is more an issue of tone rather than volume, although volume is important too.  The reader should read at normal speaking speed, or if you are naturally a fast speaker, consciously slow it down, which will also help with nerves.  Pauses help to amplify the meaning of words.  By modulating the voice, the reader makes what is being said more interesting and easier on the ear.

Pronunciations – Check pronunciations beforehand and decide which words need emphasis.

The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation, and so any sort of haste that hinders recollection must be clearly avoided (General Instruction of the Roman Missal #56).

2. The Bow

When there is no Mass being celebrated in a Catholic Church, the focal point or “centre of attention” is always the tabernacle, where the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved.  Once Mass has commenced however, the focal point becomes the altar, a symbol of Christ who is the priest, the sacrifice, and the altar of sacrifice.  We genuflect to the tabernacle at the beginning and end of Mass, but bow to the altar during Mass when approaching, or passing in front or behind.

When readers come forward to read, they move to the centre of the sanctuary, directly in front of the altar and make a bow from the hips towards the altar.  They do the same after reading and before returning to their seat. They do not “slip away” off the side of the sanctuary.

3. Microphone

The microphone at the ambo is very sensitive and does not need to be adjusted for height.  It does not need to be constantly moved up and down with each reader.

4. The First Reading

The reader simply reads what is there, without adding, altering, or subtracting anything.  They begin by saying (for example): “A reading from the book of Proverbs.”  They do not say: “The First Reading is from the Book of Proverbs” as there is no need to say “The First Reading…” since it is in fact the first reading and this does not need to be pointed out or stated.  Also, the theme of the reading which is in red italics on the next line below the line “A reading from the book of Proverbs” should not be read out loud.  At the end of the reading, and after a brief (3 second) pause, the reader simply says: “The word of the Lord” and not the previous form which was: “This is the word of the Lord.”

5. The Responsorial Psalm

If there are two readers, the person who reads the First Reading will normally read the Responsorial Psalm.  The reader simply reads the response to the psalm, which the congregation repeats.  Then the reader reads out each verse, pausing between them so that the congregation may make the response.  The reader does not say: “Response” at the end of each verse, nor do they begin by saying: “The Response to the Psalm is…”  The reader should try to read the verses with rhythm or “cadence.”  Lowering the tone slightly at the end of the verse and looking up at the congregation will signal to the congregation when to make the response.

6. The Second Reading

Like the First Reading, the reader simply reads what is there, without adding, altering, or subtracting anything.  They begin by saying (for example): “A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans.”  They do not say: “The Second Reading is from…” as there is no need to say “The Second Reading…” since it is in fact the second reading and this does not need to be pointed out or stated.  Also, the theme of the reading which is in red italics should not be read out loud.  At the end of the reading, and after a brief pause, the reader simply says: “The word of the Lord” and not the previous form which was: “This is the word of the Lord.”

7. The Gospel Acclamation

If there are two readers, the person who reads the Second Reading will normally read the Gospel Acclamation.  The reader does not say: “Please stand to welcome the Gospel,” or “The Gospel Acclamation.”  The reader simply begins with the “Alleluia, alleluia” once the congregation has stood up.  The congregation should join in with the “Alleluia, alleluia,” but it is preferable then that the Reader alone reads the verse, as many voices from the congregation can result in a jumbled sound which can make it difficult for others (without the text) to understand what is being said.  The congregation joins in with the closing “Alleluia.”

8. Prayers of the Faithful

The Prayers of the Faithful follow immediately after the Creed and the Reader should be ready to move forward as soon as the Creed is finished. The priest will pray the introductory prayer and then there are normally six prayers for the reader to pray on behalf of the worshipping community. Please check the pronunciation of people’s names beforehand with the priest if necessary. After the last prayer (for the deceased) the reader remains at the ambo while the priest prays the concluding prayer, after which the reader returns to their seat after bowing to the altar.

9. Proclamation

Remember that we are proclaiming the Word of God, not reading like we would a book. Therefore we “throw” our voice with faith and conviction.