The Lector Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the Word of God is proclaimed reverently, accurately, clearly and consistently during every Holy Mass or liturgical service.
Planning & Scheduling
- Prepare the Lector Roster for Sundays, Feast Days and other services.
- Ensure that every Mass has the required number of competent lectors.
- Coordinate with the Parish Priest, Sacristan and Liturgy Coordinator regarding the readings.
- Arrange substitutes in advance for lectors who are unavailable.
- Avoid last-minute gaps in the roster.
Preparation of Lectors
- Ensure that lectors receive their readings well in advance.
- Encourage every lector to study and understand the passage before proclaiming it.
- Organise periodic training in:
- Pronunciation
- Pace and diction
- Microphone technique
- Pausing and emphasis
- Liturgical posture and reverence
- Proper handling of the Lectionary
- Help new lectors become familiar with the sanctuary and lectern.
Liturgical Discipline
The Coordinator should ensure that lectors:
- Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before Mass.
- Dress appropriately and reverently.
- Know which reading they are proclaiming.
- Check the Lectionary and microphone before Mass.
- Approach and leave the lectern with dignity.
- Do not improvise, paraphrase or alter the appointed reading.
- Proclaim the Word slowly, audibly and intelligibly, without theatrical delivery.
Coordination During Mass - Confirm before Mass that each assigned lector is present.
- Ensure that the correct readings are being proclaimed.
- Coordinate the First Reading, Psalm/Response where applicable, Second Reading and Prayers of the Faithful, according to the parish’s liturgical practice.
- Ensure smooth transitions between lectors.
- Deal quietly with unexpected absences or changes.
Quality & Review - Periodically observe the proclamation of the readings.
- Provide constructive and private feedback to lectors.
- Identify training needs.
- Maintain a list of trained and approved lectors.
- Encourage continuous improvement rather than merely filling the roster.
Records & Administration
The Coordinator should maintain:
- Lector master list
- Monthly/quarterly roster
- Substitute list
- Attendance/reliability record
- Training record
- Contact details of lectors
- Record of special liturgies requiring additional lectors
- Special Liturgies
Coordinate lector requirements for:
- Christmas
- Holy Week and Easter
- Patronal Feast
- Confirmations
- Weddings and funerals, where applicable
- Parish celebrations
- Other major liturgical occasions
The Coordinator’s central accountability
The Lector Coordinator should ultimately be able to answer “Yes” to five questions:
- Is every Mass properly covered?
- Does every lector know what he or she is proclaiming?
- Has each lector prepared the reading properly?
- Is the Word of God being proclaimed clearly and reverently?
- Is there always a trained substitute available?
In other words, the Lector Coordinator is not merely a person who prepares a roster. The role is responsible for the readiness, formation, discipline and quality of the entire Lector Ministry.
Cecil K. Dewars