COLLINGSWOOD – After two hours of spiritual, scriptural and practical preparation for the ministry of lector – including practice from the pulpit – Rocco DiGerolamo let out a sigh of relief.
He was glad to realize that “I’m not the only one who’s nervous,” he said with a laugh.
DiGerolamo’s ministry as lector – proclaiming the Sacred Scriptures during the liturgy – runs in the family, as his grandfather served in the role, too.
“He always took it very seriously,” said DiGerolamo, of Holy Eucharist Parish, Cherry Hill. “It meant a lot to him, and I hope I can also be that conduit between God’s Word and His people.”
DiGerolamo was among those present at Saint John Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, for recent lector training sponsored by the Diocese’s Office of Worship and Christian Initiation. The evening was led by Cathy Johnson and Sister Mary Kay Kelley, SSJ, co-directors of the area’s Heartfelt Ministries. As part of Heartfelt Ministries’ mission to serve the needs of faith communities in the areas of spiritual and liturgical formation, the two have partnered with the Diocese of Camden. They helped provide three training sessions in June across South Jersey.
“The power of the Word is transformative, so thank you for saying yes to this ministry,” Johnson told the ministers. “In your proclamation, Christ is made manifest.”
Johnson began the training by holding high the Lectionary and noted the reverence that should be shown at all times in handling the Word of God.
“The Lectionary,” Johnson explained, “is like the Ark of the Covenant. In the way that the Ark protected the scrolls and kept them protected, the lectionary holds Scripture and the stories of salvation.”
She also provided information on the Catholic Church’s different liturgical reading cycles.
“The Sunday Cycle is divided into three years – A, B and C,” with the Gospel of Matthew primarily in A, the Gospels of Mark and John in Year B, and Luke taking up Year C, she said. “The weekday cycle is divided into Year I, odd-numbered years, and Year II, even-numbered years.”
The discussion included tips on proper pronunciation of the people and places that fill Sacred Scripture; when to allow for moments of pause and silence during and after the reading for faithful to fully absorb the Word, and the need to be reverential at all times to the text and the liturgical moment.
“You’re not reading on Good Friday with a smile on your face,” Johnson noted, adding that it is always good to keep proper facial and hand expressions.
“Your reading needs to be expressive, but we don’t need Shakespearean actors proclaiming the Word. It’s not a performance, but a ministry.”
It is also important, she stressed, to remember not just the words lectors speak at Mass, but to remember the language they use during the week, be it during a trip to the grocery store, sporting event, or with family and friends.
“As ministers, the way you use words matter,” Johnson said. “Proclaiming the Word at Mass is a beautiful ministry and experience, but when we’re not at Mass, we must think about how we use words outside. Do we use words that are appropriate and give life to people, or use words that put people down?”
During the training sessions, participants were invited to practice reading and given constructive criticism. Among the tips: keeping eye contact with those in the pews and remembering proper microphone placement – between the nose and chin, not in front of the mouth where breath can be heard.
Sister Mary Kay said she was impressed by the eagerness of the ministers. “When we asked them why they were doing this ministry, the words they used were, ‘We felt called to do this.’”
Johnson said she feels optimism not only for the lectors, but for the Diocese of Camden.
“They will be leading people to Christ and strengthening the Church of South Jersey. When these lectors and their parishes celebrate the liturgy with dignity, reverence, enthusiasm and active participation, that lifts us up and helps build a stronger Church.”
For more information on becoming a lector or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, contact your parish or visit camdendiocese.org/wci.
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