Lectors
Welcome to St. Stephen and thank you for your interest in the Ministry of Lector!
The lector is appointed to read the word of God in the liturgical assembly. Accordingly, the lector reads the lessons from sacred Scripture (the priest proclaims Gospel); recites the psalms between the readings (if there is no cantor), and presents the intentions for General Intercessions (when the deacon is absent). The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in a manner so that the action of the Holy Spirit allows the words proclaimed to be grasped by the heart of the listener. The sacred texts are to be pronounced in a loud and clear voice. It is appropriate to observe such periods of silence, for example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself begins, after the First and Second Reading, and at the conclusion of the Homily.
This quote from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal indicates the importance of the Ministry of Lector:
“When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy. Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture the Word of God is addressed to all people of whatever era and is understandable to them, a fuller understanding and a greater efficaciousness of the word is nevertheless fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, by the Homily, as part of the liturgical action.”
(General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM], no. 29)
Call Lynda at the Parish Office (414) 762-0552 for questions or concerns.