Spiritual Formation For Lay Lectors
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICASpiritual Formation for Lay LectorsA TREATISESubmitted to the Faculty of the School of Theology and Religious StudiesOf The Catholic University of America In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement For the DegreeDoctor of Ministry ByArdella Edwards Washington, D.C.2013 Spiritual Formation for Lay LectorsArdella Edwards, D.Min.Director: Raymond Studzinski, O.S.B., Ph.D.Since the decline in the number of priests in the United States, after the Second Vatican Council, the number of lay ministers has grown. The ministry of lectors has largely been entrusted to the laity. In the Mass at the Liturgy of the Word the lector is the minister who orally brings the Scriptures excluding the Gospels to the assembly. It is not sufficient to pass out programs or missalettes to the congregation and have them read silently. The task of the liturgy of the Mass is two-fold: to render proper worship to God, and to insure the sanctification of the congregation. The task of the lector is a delivery of the Scriptures that sanctifies both the lector and the assembly.There are many resources for public speaking, and delivery techniques. There seem to be no resources for spiritual direction or formation for lectors. The lector should prayerfully and faithfully proclaim the Word of God. To do so, the lector must be grounded in his or her faith, with an understanding and knowledge of the Scriptures.This project in ministry designed, implemented and evaluated a formation program for lectors. The program was offered to ten lectors, with four two-hour sessions two weeks apart. The main foci were lectio divina and mystagogical reflection techniques. The program was well received and participants recommended it for novice lectors, and as a refresher for veteran lectors.
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