Basic Orientation

1. Basic Orientation
Lay Liturgical Ministries

3. Lay Liturgical Ministry:
HISTORY AND THEOLOGY

4. LAY LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
What is lay liturgical
ministry?
Who are the lay ministers?

6. Lay liturgical ministries

7. LAY LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
• Lectors Choir
• Altar Servers Cantor
• Commentator Sacristan
• Usher MC
• Basket collector/gift minister

8. MINISTRIES IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
APOSTLES/DISCIPLES
– those who were sent;
– Didache : talks of the Apostles
– they were sent for a mission – to establish communities
– they also imposed hands for authority in building a community
PROPHETS
– Imposed hands
– 1 Cor. 14
– Didache: the prophets pray as much as they can
• Lived in the celebration of the Eucharist
– The first harvest are given to the prophets
TEACHERS (didaskaloi)
– Their job was to preach and explain the Scriptures
– Later it will be taken by the bishops and priests

9. MINISTRIES IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
ELDERS (presbyterio):
– “I your fellow elder…” -Peter
– Priests – office in the church
– Episcopoi
VIRGINS
WIDOWS
HEALERS
DEACONS

10. THEOLOGY OF MINISTRIES IN THE EARLY CHURCH
What we know today as lay liturgical ministries existed already in
the early centuries, but they were clericalized in the course of
time, until fairly recently that it was restored as lay ministries.
CLERICALIZATION?
Means that the clergy alone or those aspiring for the priesthood
could receive the ministries of porter, exorcist, reader and
acolyte.
MINISTRIES = ORDERS

11. MINISTRIES IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
ELDERS (presbyterio):
– “I your fellow elder…” -Peter
– Priests – office in the church
– Episcopoi
VIRGINS
WIDOWS
HEALERS
DEACONS

12. JUSTIN THE MARTYR (2nd Century)
• Presider – leads the community prayer
• Lector – reads from the Memoirs of the
Apostles
• Deacons – gather the gifts offered by the
community
• Bring the communion to the sick
• Acolytes – assist the bishop
• Presbyters – concelebrate and assists the
bishop

13. APOSTOLIC TRADITION:
Hippolytus of Rome – 3rd Century
2 kinds of Ministerial position:
• Ordained Ministry (Keirotonia)
– Imposition of hands
– Accompanied with Consecratory prayer
– For bishops, priests and deacons
• Non-ordained Ministry (Katastasis)
– Through praying over
• lectors
• virgins
• acolytes
• healers
– given to the lay people to work with the church

14. CONSTANTINIAN ERA
Ordination was introduced,
an influence from the
Roman system of CLASS
or ORDO. To become a
member, one must be
incorporated or Ordinatio.
One is ordained into the
presbyterium.
Lay ministries were taken by
those ordained. And thus
there was the
development of the
Minor and Major Orders.

15. Clericalization means that the
clergy alone or those aspiring for
the priesthood

17. LECTOR
INTRODUCTION:
 VATICAN II
 By virtue of Baptism
MINISTRY OF LECTOR
 Brief History
 Ministries in the Early Church
 Apostolic Tradition
 Constantinian Era
 Ministeria Quaedam

18. LECTOR THEOLOGY
 Vatican II
MINISTERIA QUAEDAM
 Lector / Reader
PASTORAL / PRACTICAL
CONSIDERATIONS
 the Lectionary

19. INTRODUCTION:
VATICAN II
fully conscious, and active participation
in liturgical celebrations
Such participation by the Christian
people as "a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed
people (I Pet 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their
right and duty by reason of their
baptism.” SC #14

20. Theology of lay ministry in Vatican II

21. THEOLOGY
Baptism is the dogmatic reason for the
development of lay ministries and
– not because of the decrease of the
numbers of priests;
– and also not because of the promotion
of faith.
The principal reason is that, the
foundation of ministerial life is
Baptism.
• Lay person is one who is baptized
• Lay ministry blossoms from baptism
– Common/Universal priesthood

22. •liturgical ministry of lay people is a type
of participation in the office of the
ordained clergy: PRIESTLY OFFICE.
•“The Church earnestly desires that all the
faithful be led to that full, conscious, and
active participation in liturgical
celebrations called for by the very nature
of the liturgy. Such participation by the
Christian people as ‘a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own
people’ (1 P 2:9) is their right and duty by
reason of their baptism”. Sacrosanctum Concilium 14

23. Active participation
is the foundation of the
Constitution on the Liturgy
• “To promote active
participation, the people should
be encouraged to take part by
means of acclamations,
response, psalmody, antiphons,
and songs, as well as by actions,
gestures, and bearing”.
• “And at the proper times all
should observe a reverent
silence”.

24. MINISTERIA QUAEDAM
Lay liturgical ministries:
Lector / Reader
Acolyte /
Extraordinary
ministers of
Holy
Communion

25. LECTOR / READER
 The reader is appointed for a function
proper to him, that of reading the word
of God in the liturgical assembly.
 He/she is to proclaim the readings from
sacred Scripture, except for the gospel
in the Mass and other sacred
celebrations;
 He/she is to recite the psalm between
the readings when there is no psalmist;
 He/she is to present the intentions for
the general intercessions in the absence
of a deacon or cantor;

26. Commentator
provides the faithful, when appropriate, with
brief explanations and commentaries with the
purpose of introducing them to the
celebration and preparing them to understand
it better. The commentator’s remarks must be
meticulously prepared and clear though brief.
In performing this function the commentator
stands in an appropriate place facing the
faithful, but not at the ambo

27. Structure of the Mass
Liturgy of
the Word
Liturgy of
the Eucharist
Intro Rites Conc Rites
server lector
extraordinary ministers of
holy communion
concelebrants
presider

30. Liturgy of the Word
Scripture is PROCLAIMED to us and we
receive the Word of God, which is Christ,
through our ears. In the readings, the table
of God’s word is prepared for the faithful,
and the riches of the Bible are opened to
them. Faith comes from what is heard.
After hearing the Word of God, the
assembly responds with Faith and ends with
the assembly's intercession for the Church
and the world.

31. THE DUTIES OF THE LECTOR
 INTODUCTORY RITE:
 ENTRANCE PROCESSION:
 In coming to the altar, when no deacon is present, the
lector, wearing approved attire, may carry the Book of the
Gospels, which is to be slightly elevated. In that case, the
lector walks in front of the priest but otherwise along with
the other ministers. GIRM no 194.
 Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow
with the others. If he is carrying the Book of the Gospels,
he/she approaches the altar and places the Book of the
Gospels upon it. Then the lector takes his own place in the
sanctuary with the other ministers. GIRM no 195.

32.  1. Read the intentions slowly and clearly.
 2. Give directions slowly and clearly.
 3. Be sensitive. Know when to ask the people to rise for
the entrance hymn.
 4. If you are not a good singer. Do not sing with the
microphone.
 5. Lectors who join the procession keep their palms
together over their breasts.
 6. Only the Gospel book can be lifted high during the
procession. The Lectionary should already be at the
lectern before the mass begins.
 7. Bear in mind that you are responding WITH the
people. Do not be overpowering and be abrupt in
responding.

33. Liturgy of the Word
After the Collect, all sit. The priest may,
very briefly, introduce the faithful to
the Liturgy of the Word. Then the
lector goes to the ambo and,
from the Lectionary already
placed there before Mass,
proclaims the first reading, to
which all listen. At the end, the
lector says the acclamation
Verbum Domini (The word of
the Lord), and all respond, Deo
gratias (Thanks be to God). GIRM
no 128.

34. The Prayer of the Faithful: if
there is no deacon, then the
cantor, the lector, or
another person
announces the intentions
from the ambo or from
some other suitable place
while facing the people, who
take their part by responding
in supplication. GIRM no 138.

35. If there is no singing at the
Entrance or at
Communion and the
antiphons in the Missal
are not recited by the
faithful, the lector may
read them at the
appropriate time. GIRM
no 198.

36. Liturgy of the Word
Responsorial Psalm
Reading I
Reading II
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Homily
Profession of Faith
Prayer of the Faithful

37. GOD
People
Reading
1
Responsorial
Psalm
Reading
2
Gospel
Acclamation
Gospel
Profession
of
Faith
Homily
Prayer
of
the
Faithful

38. GUIDELINES FOR LECTORS
Familiarize yourself with the
Bible.
You should also know how to use
the Lectionary: For accuracy in
the readings for the mass,
always consult the ORDO.

39. Meditate on the readings.
Process/Steps for meditative
Study:
· Pray/ask for a priest’s blessing.
· Find out the context and literary
form of the readings.
· Read the passage slowly,
thoughtfully – determine the
mood and the tone.
· Break the passage into thought
units then write your thought
on each unit.

40. Rehearse
Constant practice reading is
necessary so the text can be read in
a natural, meaningful and
convincing way.
Suggestions:
· By reading the text silently,
analyzing its content and then re-
reading it very softly.
· Practice reading in the church or big
room with other readers to get
feedback and comments for
improvements.

41. Lectionary
organized the
scripture passages
to be read in worship
services for each
week of the year
A reading from the Old Testament;
A responsorial Psalm;
A reading from one of the
Epistles;
A reading from one of the
Gospels.

42. The Lectionary (Division of the book):
• Sundays and Feasts
• Weekdays
• Celebration of Saints
• Ritual Masses, Masses for
Special Occasions and
Votive Masses
• Year I and II
• Cycle A, B, C
• Proper of Saints

43. Year A: Most Gospel readings
from the Gospel of Matthew.
Year B: Most Gospel readings
from the Gospel of Mark.
Year C: Most Gospel readings
from the Gospel of Luke.
The Gospel of John is read
throughout Eastertide, and is used
for other liturgical seasons
including Advent, Christmastide,
and Lent where appropriate.
There is also a 2 year cycle for the
weekday readings (year 1 and year
2).

44. Gospel book
the Book of the
Gospels contains all
four gospels and is
used by the priest or
deacon to read or chant
the gospel of the day
during the Mass
the Book of the Gospels may be
carried in the entrance procession
while the Lectionary may not.
(GIRM, 120)

46. Prayer of the Faithful
1. For the needs of the
Church;
2. For public authorities
and the salvation of the
whole world;
3. For those burdened by
any kind of difficulty;
4. For the local community

47. Silence
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 clearly be avoided. During the Liturgy of
the Word, it is also appropriate to include brief
periods of silence, accommodated to the
gathered assembly, in which, at the prompting
of the Holy Spirit, the word of God may be
grasped by the heart and a response through
prayer may be prepared. It may be appropriate
to observe such periods of silence, for
example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself
begins, after the first and second reading, and
lastly at the conclusion of the homily.

48. PASTORAL
CONSIDERATIONS
AND
PRACTICES

49. CONSIDER YOUR
APPEARANCE:
DRESS
Some reminders:
· Avoid wearing accessories that
may distract the people.
· Avoid wearing heavy make-up.
· Eyeglasses should be worn
and removed in the seat not in
the lectern.

53. Posture
Some reminders:
Slouching should be avoided
Feet should be flat on the floor
or could be crossed, but not the
legs.
Movement
Some reminders:
Wear something comfortable;
one that will not oblige you to
move and fix your clothes.

56. QUALITIES OF GOOD READING
Projection and Intonation
· Be sure your voice is firm.
· Try to use approximately the
same volume that can be
maintained throughout your
reading.
· In starting out, use a somewhat
moderate tone.
Rate or Tempo
· Reading rapidly results in poor
enunciation.
· Always pronounce last words of
phrases and sentences clearly.
· Not too fast and not too slow.

57. Phrasing and Pause
· Comprehend the material you are
reading to know where to pause.
Listeners expect and demand flow.
Eye contact with the Audience
· Eye contact means looking at the
congregation as often as accurate
reading will allow.
· For the Responsorial Psalm, the
lector may only look at the
congregation when the stanza has
been read.

58. Pronunciation
Use of microphone
· The purpose of microphone is to
build up sounds by amplifying
them.
· The pattern or range within which
the microphone is sensitive is
limited.
· The microphone is likened to a
human ear. If you are too close to
the microphone, it will not respond
properly.
· Never blow into a microphone to
see if it is turned on.

61. GENERAL REMINDERS
1. You are at the service of the
Liturgy. Do not call attention to
yourselves.
2. Learn the parts of the Mass by
heart. Be attentive. Presence of
mind is necessary.
3. Read the text before the Mass.
It does not suffice reading the
text only with your eyes;
practice proclaiming it by
reading aloud.

62. GENERAL REMINDERS
4. Understand the message of
the reading.
5. Lectors who have long hair
(especially the girls), are
encouraged to tie their hair. Do
not hide behind your hair!
6. You are models of active
participation. Show that you are
actively participating in the
liturgy.

63. LITURGY OF THE
EUCHARIST

64. 1. Distribution of roles in the
celebration. Assign other
people as collectors.
Lectors must remain in their
place during this time and
must not go on collecting or
offering the gifts.

65. 2. Do not compete with the
priest. After the priest has
washed his hands and the
offertory song is finished,
immediately say:
Commentator: Please stand.
If you failed to do so, just
motion the people to stand or
ask them to stand (if they did not
instinctively stand) after the
response.

66. Also after the words of
consecration:
At the end of the Consecration, the
priest says: “Do this in memory of
me.” Then, he raises up the chalice
and genuflects. After the
genuflection of the priest,
immediately say:
Commentator: Please stand.
If the people did not
instinctively stand, just motion for
them to stand up.

67. CONCLUDING RITES
1. Announcements are given ONLY
AFTER THE PRAYER and not
immediately after communion. If you
have a long announcement, ask the
people to sit down. If it will not be that
long, there will be no need for them to
be seated.
2. If you have asked them to sit down,
glance at the priest and see if he might
have additional announcement before
asking them to rise up again.
3. If there is a recessional procession,
proceed in the same manner as at the
entrance procession.

68. IMPORTANT TASKS
1. In all Masses, make sure that
the Lectionary is prepared at the
ambo before the celebration.
2. In Sunday Masses, the lector
coordinator must see to it that a
copy of the Prayers of the Faithful,
properly inserted in a clearbook, is
prepared at the ambo before the
mass begins.
3. In Weekday Masses the Lector
must also practice the Prayers of
the Faithful before the mass begins
and take note of the page number.

69. Movement during the Mass
GESTURES:
1. BOWING
2. WALKING
TOWARDS THE
ALTAR/AMBO

70. “ceremonies are only
a shadow,
But they are
the shadow of the
most magnificent realities….”
St. Vincent de Paul

71. Ad
Major
em