MOW/Reader Guidance

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.

• 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).