St. Margaret of Scotland Church
The Ministry of Lector

The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I may know how
to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.  Isaiah 50:4


Those who proclaim God's word in the liturgy are known as Lectors.  It is an ancient teaching in the Church that Christ is truly present in His Word: the Word that is spoken, heard and acted upon.  Answering the call to become a Lector, enters one into a deeper relationship with God as he is revealed in Sacred Scripture.  To be Lector is a commitment of service.

The ministry of Lector is one of the most visible roles of service at Liturgy.  It is through the Lector that the Word of God is proclaimed to the people through the Old and New Testament readings.  In the ministry of Lector, God's Word is spoken to God's people.  God's Word that has power and has challenges as it comforts and builds up our community of faith.

A willingness to study the Scriptures and time to pray with the readings before each liturgical assignment are necessary commitments for a Lector.  Reading skills, the ability to develop proclamation techniques and a clear and steady voice are attributes of a Lector.

Guidelines for the ministry and practical training are provided.  Lectors receive a workbook with the readings for the current liturgical year as a resource in their preparation.  Lectors are scheduled based on their availability preference.

Those who take on the responsibility of Lector are presumed to be of good faith, eager to serve their fellow Christians, and willing to engage in the formation process to improve the effectiveness of their service

     Guidelines and Procedures

           Lector Minister: -  Lynn Woerner
302-836-5206
[email protected]

• Prepare your reading assignment before arriving to Church.  In November, you will receive a Lector Workbook that begins with the First Sunday of Advent.

• When you are assigned to read at a particular Sunday Mass, you will be assigned as Lector 1 or 2.   Lector 1 does the first reading (usually from the Old Testament except during the Easter).  Lector 2 does the second reading from one of the Epistles or the Book of Revelation and the Universal Prayer (intercessions) when there is no deacon at that Mass.

• When you arrive at the Church proceed to the sacristy and put your initials next to your name on the posted lector schedule.  Even if you are not assigned, let it be known that if the assigned lector does not show up, you are available to read.

• Lectors are asked to sit in any pew preferably near the center aisle in the Church.

• Lector 1 will come forward for the first reading after the Collect (Opening Prayer) bow before the altar in the center aisle, go to the podium and proclaim the first reading.  After the reading, return to the center aisle, bow to the altar and return to your seat.

• The Cantor will sing the responsorial psalm from the Lectern, which is where all Scripture is either proclaimed or sung.

• Lector 2 will come forward after the sung responsorial psalm, bow before the altar in the center aisle, go to the podium, and proclaim the second reading. If the deacon is present, close the Lectionary and place on shelf below the ambo. After the reading, return to the center aisle, bow to the altar, and return to your seat. 

• Universal Prayer (intercessions):  If a deacon is not present at the mass, toward the end of the Profession of Faith, Lector 2 will come forward in center aisle, bow before the altar, read the intercessions after the Presider’s introduction, wait for Presider’s concluding prayer, return to the center aisle, bow to the altar, and return to your seat.