Lector Training and Formation

The Office of Liturgy is pleased to present a Lector Training and Formation Program for the Archdiocese of Denver which serves lectors (readers) and helps to develop skills necessary for effective ministry within the liturgical assembly. The program will benefit both those discerning a call to this ministry, and those already serving as parish lectors who would like to enrich the skills they already possess.

A person's readiness for this ministry is to be finally determined by the Pastor of the local parish.

The lector proclaims the Word of God to the assembled faith community. Men and women who accept the call to this ministry are presumed to be people of faith and lovers of Scripture, eager to serve the Christian community and willing to engage in ongoing formation and education.

The Office of Liturgy is committed to this formation as emphasized in the "Introduction” to the Lectionary for Mass #55:

It is necessary that those who exercise the ministry of reader … be truly suited and carefully prepared, so that the faithful may develop a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture from listening to the sacred readings.

The first half of this program will require eight hours, and consist of two hours of lecture and discussion on four consecutive Monday evenings. Our offering begins October 2 and continues through October 9, October 16, and October 23, 2006. Participants are then invited to participate in a final practicum on Saturday, October 28. The final practicum will go from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and will be offered at three different locations: St. Vincent de Paul, St. Frances Cabrini, and the John Paul II Center

Some of the topics we will cover are: 1. Liturgical Spirituality; 2. The Lectionary; 3. Literary Forms in Biblical Literature; 4. Theology and Spirituality of the Word of God; 5. The Art of Proclamation; and 6. A Spirituality of Lectoring.

We have assembled a wonderful faculty of both clergy and laity who have experience and a real heart for this ministry. We hope that this will be a blessing to our lectors and parishes in the Archdiocese of Denver. There is a nominal fee of $10.00 to attend and scholarships are available.

For registration information, please call the Office of Liturgy at 303-715-3156. To download this information in PDF form, please click here.