GUIDELINES FOR READERS

Prepared by the Office for Liturgy

Diocese of Orange

1996

INTRODUCTION

The Office for Liturgy has prepared the following guidelines for Readers. These are to apply to those ministering during Sunday Mass, as well as other liturgical celebrations.

The purpose of these notes is to provide some general observations and principles on this important liturgical ministry of the Church. They define the intention of liturgical law relative to the proclamation of the Word, the demands of proper liturgical practice, and the expectations of the universal and local Church.

The Word of God is not to be proclaimed from a missalette or participation aid, both of which are transitory or throw-away materials.

15. The ambo is the symbol of the presence of the Word of God in the Church just as the

altar is the symbol of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word takes place at the

ambo. The ambo, therefore, should be permanent, solemn, dignified and prominent. Candles

and other decorative elements may be placed around it. The ambo is to be used for the

proclaimed Word, namely, the readings and the Gospel. The Responsorial Psalm may be chanted

from the ambo, or anot readings, he/she should be seated during the Psalm response.