“Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
This weekend and next we will have training for Lectors (readers at Mass). It is important that all persons who are assisting the priest during the Mass undergo some formation and training, as they not only assist the priest, but also the entire congregation in their prayer during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Lay Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are innovations that followed the Second Vatican Council and in many places are often misunderstood.
Sadly, it has become common for Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to often be seen as ways for people to “get more involved” in the Mass. Some people have even taken this a step further and will, when not scheduled, not attend Mass. It is not the intended purpose for anyone, whether it be an Altar Server or Lector or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to serve in that capacity for the sake of being more “involved” in the liturgical act of the Mass. In fact, in 2004 the Church clarified this teaching in the document Redemptionis Sacramentum, On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist, by saying:
“Only out of true necessity is there to be recourse to the assistance of extraordinary ministers in the celebration of the Liturgy. Such recourse is not intended for the sake of a fuller participation of the laity but rather, by its very nature, is supplementary and provisional.” (151)
Continuing to speak about the true sense of “full active and conscious participation”:
“Nevertheless, from the fact that the liturgical celebration obviously entails activity, it does not follow that everyone must necessarily have something concrete to do beyond the actions and gestures, as if a certain specific liturgical ministry must necessarily be given to the individuals to be carried out by them.” (40)
The Church does go on to teach that:
“For the purpose of assisting the work of the common priesthood of the faithful, other particular ministries also exist, not consecrated by the sacrament of Holy Orders; their functions are determined by the bishops, in accord with liturgical traditions and pastoral needs. ‘Servers, readers, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function.’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1143)
Thus, the Church also teaches:
“Since, like all the faithful, lay Christians are entrusted by God with the apostolate by virtue of their Baptism and Confirmation, they have the right and duty, individually or grouped in associations, to work so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all men throughout the earth. This duty is the more pressing when it is only through them that men can hear the Gospel and know Christ. Their activity in ecclesial communities is so necessary that, for the most part, the apostolate of the pastors cannot be fully effective without it.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 900)
All of this is to say that the Church calls all of its members to engage fully into the mystery of the Eucharistic Celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and at times to offer themselves in assistance to the priest during the liturgy. However, what is essential for all is the interior disposition and the recognition that “the power of the liturgical celebrations… [consists]… in probing more deeply the word of God and the mystery being celebrated.” (RS 39) Those who desire to assist as Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, as well as all who remain in the pews, should strive for the same depth of interior participation and union with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is inviting us into profound union with Him through this great gift of the Most Holy Eucharist.
“For in the celebration of the Eucharist, as in the whole Christian life which draws its power from it and leads toward it, the Church, after the manner of Saint Thomas the Apostle, prostrates herself in adoration before the Lord who was crucified, suffered and died, was buried and arose, and perpetually exclaims to him who is clothed in the fullness of his divine splendor: ‘My Lord and my God!’” (RS 40)
God Bless,
Fr. Bennett
Sacred Heart of Jesus – Have Mercy on Us
Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pray for Us
Sts. Michael the Archangel, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Augustine – Pray for Us