MOW/Lector 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.
• Proclaim: the entrance antiphon and communion antiphon are important parts of the Mass – as important as the readings. The people need to hear your proclamation of these powerful prayers.

Weekend Masses

• MOW 1 reads the opening announcement and proclaims the entrance antiphon (unless the cantor chants the antiphon… The cantor usually chants the entrance antiphon at English-language Masses; NOT at Spanish-language Masses).
  • Read the opening announcement from the lectern 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 lectern 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.

Weekday Masses

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 lectern as the priest begins his communion (consumes the host).
• When the priest completes his communion (puts down the cup), read the Prayer for Spiritual Communion slowly, clearly, and reverently.