References for Readers in the General Roman Missal 2000

Excerpts from An English Language Study Translation of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani Prepared by the NCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy, ©2000. All rights reserved.

Questions should be directed to the Department for Worship, 412.456.3041

Entrance Rite

1. Readers enter in the procession and take places in the sanctuary (at least for the liturgy of the word).
2. The deacon (or in his absence, a reader) carries the Book of Gospels if used. The Lectionary is never carried in procession.
3. Readers and other ministers precede the deacon and priest and make a deep bow to the altar before going to their places.

Notes:

• The bow is to the altar – as representation of Christ – not the cross.
  If the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the ministers first genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament Another such genuflection will occur at then end of Mass. Otherwise, throughout the Mass those who pass before the tabernacle do not make any signs of reverence toward it.
• Ministers who carry liturgical objects make a simple bow of the head instead of either the genuflection or the deep bow.
• The deacon, or reader, who carries the Book of Gospels omits the usual reverence, places the book on the altar and then makes reverence to the altar. (The reader makes a deep bow; the deacon kisses the altar along with the priest.)
• If there is no singing, the antiphon from the Sacramentary is recited by all, by some, by a reader, or by the priest. Otherwise, it may be incorporated into the priest’s opening remarks.

4. At their chairs the readers then participate attentively in the rest of the introductory rite.

Liturgy of the Word

Readings from Scripture and chants form the main part of this part of the Mass. The homily, creed and intercessions expand upon it. The biblical proclamation and preaching is itself a sacramental act in which God speaks to his people and Christ is present among his disciples in his own word. Any kind of haste must be avoided so that a spirit of recollection can be maintained. Non-biblical texts are never substituted for the readings or psalms.

First Reading:
1. As all sit, the reader of the first reading remains standing.
2. The priest may then, in a very few words, introduce the faithful to the liturgy of the word.
3. The reader then walks graciously to the ambo and begins the first reading from the Lectionary already placed there before Mass. If the priest has not made introductory comments, the reader should wait until all are quietly seated before beginning the reading.

Notes:

• Whenever possible, someone other than the priest or deacon reads the lessons before the Gospel – ideally one reader for each lesson. Except for the proclamation of the Passion of the Lord, the readings are not subdivided among several readers.
• In the absence of any other reader, the deacon reads these texts. In the absence of even a deacon, a concelebrating priest, if present, proclaims these texts. Only when no other competent minister is present does the presiding priest read the lessons.
• The readers are to speak in a way that is audible, clear and intelligent. On occasion, the text may even be sung – as long as the singing corresponds to the nature of the text and serves to bring out the sense of the words rather than obscure them.

4. An acclamation follows each of the readings: “The word of the Lord/Thanks be to God.” This is a way for the people to honor the word of God, receiving it with grateful hearts.
This acclamation may always be sung – even if the text of scripture is not sung. In fact, when required, someone other than the reader may lead this sung acclamation.
5. A brief period of silence is then observed so that the Word of God might be taken into the hearts of the people by the fostering of the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm
6. The psalmist (cantor of the psalm) leads the sung responsorial psalm – which is generally sung. This is normally done at the ambo. When the psalm cannot be sung a reader in a meditative style leads it. Even then, when possible, the people should sing the response. Otherwise it is recited.
7. The “responsorial style” is preferred. However, the psalm may also be sung straight through – without a response – by the psalmist or by all.

Second Reading
8. When there is a second reading, the reader goes to the ambo when the psalm is concluded. The text is then proclaimed as described above.

Gospel
The proclamation of the Gospel is the high point of the liturgy of the word – set off by special marks of honor in posture, special proclaimer and ceremonial details. At this point in the celebration Christ himself is proclaimed – and usually heard in his own words – through the text of the Gospel.

This celebration is particularly apparent when the Book of Gospels is used. The altar represents Christ – and the book is place there at the start of Mass. In a sense, the word and sacrifice of Christ are visually joined and Christ is presiding from his altar-throne. For the Gospel, all stand and welcome Christ as the Book of the Gospels is joyfully carried in procession to the ambo so that the Good News of Christ may be heard.

9. All stand for the acclamation – the “Alleluia” or Lenten acclamation. The acclamation itself must be sung – and sung by all. Other choices are available when there is only one reading before the Gospel.

All may begin the singing together or the acclamation may be led by the choir or by a cantor. It may be repeated. The verse following the acclamation is sung by the choir or by a cantor, or -- when it cannot be sung -- by a reader. The ambo is not used by the cantor, or reader, to lead this acclamation or sing its verse.

10. All turn to face the ambo for the proclamation of the Gospel.

Homily and Profession of Faith
11. The homily is required on Sundays and holidays of obligation. It is recommended on other days as well, especially on the weekdays of Advent, Lent and Easter and other festive days. The readers sit attentively at their chairs during the homily.
12. When the norms call for it, all proclaim the profession of faith. Having heard the Word of God, the assembly recalls and confirms the great mysteries of faith before celebrating them in the Eucharist.
13. All stand for the profession of faith. At the words, “By the power of the holy Spirit…became man,” all make a deep bow. On the solemnities of the Annunciation of the Lord and Christmas all kneel for these words.

General Intercessions

In these intercessions the people respond to the Word of God and exercise the office of their baptismal priesthood, offering prayers to God for the salvation of all.

14. All stand for these intercessions.
15. The priest directs the intercessions, normally from the chair.
16. The deacon, cantor, reader or other member of the faithful announces the intentions.
17. The entire intercession or even just the assembly’s response is fittingly sung.

Notes:

• The intentions are to be sober, composed of few words and express the needs of the community.
• The response of the faithful – that is, the prayer they offer as bid by the intention – is a most significant element; it should be easily repeated by all.
• It is also possible that the people simply pray briefly in silence after each intercessory statement.
• There is a general sequence of the intentions: needs of the Church; civil authorities and the salvation of the whole world; those oppressed by any need; the local community.
• In special celebrations like confirmation, marriage, funeral, the prayers will refer more particularly to the occasion – keeping in view the wider world for which the Church intercedes.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

After receiving and celebrating God’s word, the Church is prepared to enter the Eucharistic liturgy with open hearts.

1. The readers participate in this liturgy with exemplary devotion. They may remain at their chairs in the sanctuary or, for good reason, take another place.

2. The readers may be offered Communion under both kinds even if this option is not offered to all in the assembly.

3. If there is no singing during the Communion procession, the Communion antiphon from the Sacramentary may be recited by everyone, by a small group of the faithful, or by a reader. Otherwise, the priest himself reads it after his own Communion and before he distributes Communion to the faithful.

Concluding Rite

The readers may join in the exit procession.

If this is the case:

• After the priest (and deacon) kiss the altar, they – along with the readers and other ministers – make a profound bow to the altar.
• If the tabernacle is located in the sanctuary, the priest and ministers also genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament before leaving the sanctuary as at the entrance.
• The procession to the sacristy follows the same order as the entrance procession except that the Book of Gospels is not carried – nor of course is the Lectionary carried.