The Proclaimers Ministry at Holy Family Minor Basilica is a dedicated liturgical team entrusted with the solemn responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God and the prayers of the faithful during the Holy Mass and other liturgical celebrations. The Lectors Ministry was established at Basilica during the Lenten season in the year 1991 and has since remained an integral part of the Basilica’s liturgical life.
Introduction to the Lectionary n. 52 recommends that proper measures must be taken to ensure that there are certain suitable laypeople who have been trained to carry out this ministry. In view of this, members undergo structured formation and training, focusing on Sacred Scripture, liturgical norms, voice projection, diction, and the spirituality of proclaiming God’s Word. This preparation ensures that the Word is proclaimed clearly, prayerfully, and reverently, in a manner that the faithful truly hear and understand the Word, allowing it to transform their lives.”
Upon successful completion of the training, Proclaimers are formally commissioned, within the context of a Sunday Eucharistic celebration, so that their service is clearly recognized as an ecclesial act entrusted by the Church and exercised for the good of the gathered community (cf. GIRM,n. 101; LM,n. 55). The commissioning underscores the proclaimer’s responsibility to proclaim the Word faithfully and to live in conformity with it.
In keeping with the life of other church groups within the Basilica, the Lectors Society is required to carry out a minimum of three core activities annually:
Charity work
as an expression of Christian service and love of neighbour
Recollection or Retreat
to nurture spiritual growth and deepen prayer life
Team Building Activities
to foster unity, collaboration, and effective ministry
Due to the nature of the Ministry however, those within the Lectors Ministry attend a fourth activity, a Workshop, in line with the requirement for periodic ongoing formation and enrichment in order to deepens familiarity with Sacred Scripture, strengthens spiritual life, and continually improves the quality of liturgical proclamation, so that God’s Word may bear fruit in the lives of the faithful.
The Lectors Ministry is under the patronage of St. John Chrysostom, a great preacher and Doctor of the Church, whose love for Sacred Scripture and eloquent proclamation of God’s Word continues to inspire the ministry. The feast day of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated on 13th September.
The team works closely with the clergy to uphold the dignity of the Mass and to promote active and prayerful participation of the faithful.
To faithfully proclaim the Word of God with clarity, reverence, and devotion, drawing the faithful into deeper listening, reflection, and encounter with Christ through Sacred Scripture.
To form a well-trained, spiritually grounded, and united body of lectors who serve the liturgy with excellence and humility, and who bear witness to the transforming power of God’s Word in the life of the Church and the wider community.
Ready to join our community or learn more? We’d love to hear from you.
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