Lectors (Readers)

Proclaiming the Word of God
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]
Role of the Lector (Reader)
In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to them.

In the celebration of the Mass with the people, the readings are always read from the ambo.

The function of proclaiming the readings is by tradition a ministerial function. The lector or reader is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel, which is proclaimed by the Deacon or Priest. He/she may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings.