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There is also perhaps some danger of a reader imposing his or her interpretation of the emotions concealed in the passage rather than allowing God's word to speak heart-to-heart to each member of the assembly.

This is a very important aspect and one that many of us rarely discuss. I serve as a lector in my parish. We ask for Father's blessing before proceeding with the reading. The parish administrator also provides us with a copy of the reading well in advance so we have time to read it through several times at home, out loud. Father insists that we take our time, adjust the microphone and enunciate the text. He often speaks about a personal experience of hearing a lector deliver their reading in a manner that truly reflected the text. In the Maronite Tradition, the priest blesses the lector with the words: "May Almighty God bless you as you read the (Letter, Epistle of St. Whoever and open the minds and hearts of the listeners". It is an awesome responsibility.

The lectors in our parish are also responsible for providing that week's Liturgy Intentions. Personally, I invest a good amount of time in researching that Sunday's Gospel and my reading, and try to reflect it in the Intentions. This past Sunday, I tossed in a prayer for our pastor and "all who have devoted their lives in love to God". To my great surprise, I later learned that a visiting family was accompanied by their son who will be entering Seminary in the Fall.

Do any of you serve as lectors? What has been your experience? How do you approach this responsibility?

In my parish we have lectors and commentators. The lectors do the readings while the commentators read the intentions and the announcements. I am a commentator. I am also responsible for making sure I have two readers, that the ushers know if we are having one or two collections and that the intentions for the Mass are placed on the alter for the priest.

My biggest problem is that the readers will sometimes show up less than 10 minutes before Mass starts. Many times I have to get "back-up" readers in place just in case, and these people barely have time to look and reflect upon the readings. Starting in the fall, the retiring head commentator has asked me to take over the duties. I have told her that we need to get the readers there prepared and on time. She agrees with the changes I'd like to make.

The only other problem we have is the manner of dress on the alter. When I first started commentating, the pastor asked that all women on the alter wear skirts or dresses. Although some days I may be more comfortable in pants, I respect his wishes and always dress accordingly. However many of the lectors wear what I would call some very casual playwear. The priest that usually says our mass (not the pastor) thinks whatever people wear is fine. He believes that we have them here to change the heart, what they are wearing doesn't matter.

Because of this, I am hesitant to say anything to my lectors in the fall when I take over. However I may send a general email on lector guidelines and put a comment about the dress code in anyway.

I like your idea about writing your own intentions for the mass. I think these prayers would be much more meaningful and timely when written like that. I use the standard prayers of intentions in the book and sometimes I feel a real disconnect. At our mass we do open up the floor for anyone to add their own intentions and this makes the intentions seem much more personal.

I am looking forward to reading everyone's input from their own parish.

And lastly I can't thank you enough for this ping list. Although I don't respond often, I have gained a real knowledge from everything I read. You have been very helpful as I've had to defend Pope Benedict to all of the lapsed Catholics at work.

both my husband and I are lectors at our parish. The parish is Roman Rite, so lectors do not receive a special blessing from the priest beforehand. That does sound like a good idea though! I always pray silently before I go up to read for the Holy Spirit's guidance....I'm a little nervous about public speaking. However the more I lector, the easier it's become. Mr sassbox has lectored before at a previous parish, so it's much easier for him.

Our priest also requests that female lectors wear skirts or dresses, and that male lectors wear jackets and ties. The female EM's can wear slacks. So far all the laity who assist at Mass have been properly dressed. No immodest clothes and no overly casual clothes. Among the congregation there is sometimes a problem with teen girls wearing skimpy outfits - especially now that it's summer. But one sees too casual clothing more often than immodest stuff. I notice it, but it really doesn't bother me. Some folks at our parish don't have alot of money and it's just not my place to judge them because they aren't dressed to the nines on Sunday morning.

I'm not a lector and I don't play one on TV. But I've heard quite a few over the years and the best lector I've ever heard was a woman who was in her 60's, I guess, mother of 6, all of whom are older than me and grown. She read the long passages from the Old Testament as if she was reading a bedtime story. No greater emphasis on passage or interpretation, but phrasing and timing. The pauses were just right. She pronounced the words so that we could understand them. It was just really good. God rest her.