Institution of Lectors
Pages 41 - 42:
740 INSTITUTION OF READERS 1-4
[Handwritten] John L.
CHAPTER I
THE INSTITUTION OF READERS
INTRODUCTION
1. Readers are instituted by the bishop or the major superior of a clerical religious institute. The rite takes place during Mass or during a celebration of the word of God.
2. The readings are taken in whole or in part from the liturgy of the day or from the texts suggested below.
THE INSTITUTION OF READERS
CALLING OF THE CANDIDATES
3. After the gospel, the bishop, wearing his miter, sits, and the appointed deacon or priest calls the candidates:
Those to be instituted in the ministry of reader please come forward.
The candidates are called by name, and each one answers:
Present,
and goes to the bishop, before whom he makes a sign of reverence.
INSTRUCTION
4. Then all sit, and the bishop gives the homily, which he concludes by speaking to the candidates in these or similar words:
Dear sons in Chirst:
Through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfillment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world.
As readers and bearers of God's word, you will assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Christian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.
In proclaiming God's word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ.
INVITATION TO PRAYER
5. Then all stand, and the bishop, without his miter, invites the faithful to pray:
Brothers and sisters,
let us ask God our Father
to bless these servants
who have been chosen for the ministry of reader.
Let us pray that they may be faithful
to the work entrusted to them,
proclaim Christ to the world,
and so give glory to our Father in heaven.
All pray in silence for a brief period.
PRAYER
6. Then the bishop continues:
Lord God,
source of all goodness and light,
you sent your only Son, the Word of life,
to reveal to mankind the mystery of your love.
Bless + our brothers
who have been chosen for the ministry of reader.
Grant that as they meditate constantly on your word
they may grow in its wisdom
and faithfully proclaim it to your people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
INSTITUTION
7. Each candidate goes to the bishop, who gives him the Bible saying:
Take this book of holy Scripture
and be faithful in handing on the word of God,
so that it may grow strong in the hearts of his people.
The reader answers:
Amen.
Meanwhile, psalm 19 [18] or another appropriate song may be sung, especially if there are many candidates.
8. If the institution of readers takes place during Mass, the Mass continues as usual. If the institution takes place during a celebration of the word, the bishop blesses the assembly and dismisses it in the usual manner.
[Note: the rest of page 42 and all of page 43, contain ceremony: The Institution of Acolytes]
Copyright J.R. Lilburne, 16 October 2001.