Weekend Masses have 2 MOWs (lectores in Spanish); weekday Masses have 1 MOW – usually… (weekday Feasts or Solemnities usually are treated like weekend Masses). MOWs are numbered in MSP as 1 and 2.
General Concepts
If there is a deacon present, the deacon will process the Book of Gospels and read the Universal Prayer. If you’re the MOW and a deacon is present, you can assume they will do this – adapt.
On the weekends
MOW 1 reads the opening announcement and proclaims the entrance antiphon (unless the cantor chants the antiphon)
Read the opening announcement from the lower podium just before the entrance procession begins. The priest celebrant will signal you from the back of the church.
Proclaim the entrance antiphon (unless a cantor is chanting it) from the lower podium as the priest begins walking forward. Begin with “the entrance antiphon is” and pause briefly, the continue with the antiphon.
MOW 2 processes in with the Book of Gospels IF there is no deacon. If there is a deacon, he processes the Book of Gospels and MOW 2 remains at their seat.
MOW 1 proclaims the first reading and the psalm from the ambo. (In future, when COVID protocols allow, the cantor may chant the psalm – adapt.)
MOW 2 proclaims the second reading and the Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful) from the ambo – unless there is a deacon: the deacon proclaims the Universal Prayer while MOW 2 remains at their seat.
MOW 2 proclaims the communion antiphon (unless the cantor chants the antiphon) and reads the Prayer for Spiritual Communion from the lectern.
As the priest begins to take his communion (eats the host), proclaim the communion antiphon. Begin with “the communion antiphon is” and pause briefly, the continue with the antiphon.
When the priest finishes his communion (lowers the cup), read the Prayer for Spiritual Communion slowly, clearly, and reverently.
On the week days
Weekday Masses usually have only one MOW. The Book of Gospels does NOT process in. There are no pre-Mass announcements. Weekday Solemnities and Feasts are usually treated like weekend Masses (with 2 MOWs).
Proclaim the entrance antiphon as the priest begins walking forward for the procession.
Proclaim the first reading, then the psalm. (If there is a second reading and there is not a MOW 2, proclaim the second reading.)
Read the Universal Prayer (unless there is a deacon).
Proclaim the communion antiphon from the lower podium as the priest begins his communion (consumes the host).