The Parish of the Durham Martyrs

Readers are lay people responsible for proclaiming the Word of God at Mass and Services of Word and Holy Communion. They also read the Bidding Prayers. If you are interested in joining the rota for Readers please contact the Parish Office specifying which Mass you regularly attend. 

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General Guidance for Reading at Mass 

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Thank you for all you do as Ministers of the Word. We are vital to the parish as we continue proclaiming the Word of God. 

 

Main points for reading at Mass so we are all doing the same thing:

 

1.  We bow to the Tabernacle as we approach the sanctuary 

2.  We DO NOT need to say “The first /second reading. The First/second reading is….”

3. We DO NOT need to read the italics theme

4.  Pause before saying "The Word of the Lord" (There is NO "THIS IS") 

5. We DO NOT need to say  “The responsorial Psalm, the response is….” We just start with the Response.

6. We DO NOT need to say “Please stand to greet the Gospel.”  The Alleluia should let them know to stand. 

7. Alleluia is usually sung if it is not the Reader says it. 

8. When we have finished reading, after the final Alleluia, we bow to the TABERNACLE. We DO NOT need to bow to the priest celebrating Mass. 

9. When reading the Bidding Prayers please count to five in your head between reading the prayer and the response. It allows people time to pray for the intention.

10. We stay at the lectern UNTIL THE END OF THE HAIL MARY.  We then bow to the TABERNACLE and return to our seats.