Lector information

Lector Rota

Lector Responsibilities

Tips for Reading

Arranging a Substitute

Lector Responsibilities

LECTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE for reading so the last person in the back of the church can hear and understand what is being read. This means projecting the voice with plenty of energy, reading slowly, and articulating clearly. Here are some additional important responsibilties:

Find and practice reading the text assigned

Unless otherwise indicated, we use the Authorized Version (King James) at High Mass. Find the assigned text in your own copy of the Bible. Obtaining the appointed text is the lector's responsibility so that he or she need not be dependent on the head lector for a copy. You can find the text of the Authorized Version at the University of Virginia. Just click here.

Rehearse

Arrange with the head lector to rehearse the reading in the church before the date assigned. Experienced lectors may not need to rehearse, but rehearsals are strongly recommended for those who have not served as lector in the past.

Find your own substitute

Arrange a subsitute if you are unable to serve on the date assigned. Both you and your substitute should notify the head lector of the substitution with as much advance notice as possible.

How to arrange a substitute. Click here to read about it.

Rehearsal. If your substitute needs to rehearse in the church, he or she should make the necessary arrangement with the head lector.

Last-minute problems. If you have a last minute problem and must miss Mass on the day you are scheduled to read, please call the undercroft phone and ask whomever answers to tell Scott Merritt or the head lector that you can't make it. We will arrange a last-minute substitute.