10-year old lectors

[BAChristian]

What's your opinion on a parish that allows, once in awhile, 10-year olds to read the first and second readings?

Any thoughts on that?

 

[Dark_Lite]

Well, there's at least someone who has some faith in the American educational system....

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Shoot- some of the 10 year olds might actually read better than some of the adults...

my only worry is that they (normally) have not yet been confirmed...

 

[Paul S]

My first thought was "are they ordained", but the minor orders have unfortunately been abolished.

I thought the rule was that lay readers had to be confirmed, but I'm not sure of this. Although I'm not a big fan of lay readers, the new rite allows them, and I don't see a problem with children reading them as long as they're capable of doing so with the appropriate reverence and they have the necessary reading ability.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I'm not a big fan of lay readers

You would be if you heard me read, baby!

Pride goeth before the fall... I'd better watch my step

(Actually, while I have a talent for public speaking I only read if no one else will get up to do it for daily Mass- as I don't feel comfortable as a woman being at the pulpit...)

 

[BAChristian]

Keep the comments coming. I really appreciate everyone's opinion...

 

[epiclesis]

i did it a couple times when i was 12/13 for a couple of youth Masses.

it's ok as long as they know what they're doing, i guess. and they take it seriously.

=)

 

[Dream]

I think it's a great idea.

In fact, I think we should get some 10-year old Eucharistic ministers. And also, maybe some 10-year old Priests.

 

[PeterPaul]

Not a fan of lay readers, but if its going to be done, they should be confirmed. I could see a young boy, after confirmation doing it ala Bar Mitzvah....

 

[PeterPaul]

I think it's a great idea.

In fact, I think we should get some 10-year old Eucharistic ministers. And also, maybe some 10-year old Priests.

I'm in tears!

 

[Annabel Lee]

I was a lector, starting at age 11 or 12, at a girls's Catholic camp.

Didn't really know I was a lector.

*running to dodgeball*
"Hey, will you do the reading tomorrow?"
"Sure, no problem, Father!"

Add extreme Bronx/Brooklyn accent to the scene.

 

[Paul S]

In fact, I think we should get some 10-year old Eucharistic ministers. And also, maybe some 10-year old Priests.

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

Can lay readers be called lectors? Formerly, a lector was ordained, but the minor orders having been abolished, I don't know if the term can now be used for lay people.

 

[HappyMomof4]

My son at his first communion did a reading, and I was so proud of him. He did a great job (and he had some tough words to pronounce), I was really proud of him! I've never seen it before or since though.

 

[Bradford]

Hmm... While they might be easier to understand than the man in his 80's with a thick Polish accent that normally lectors here...

I can't see this as approperate. For one thing, how many 10-year-olds are tall enough to be able to speak above the lectern? In all seriousiness, assigning the reading of the Word to someone so young, to me, shows a lack of reversence for the importance of the task.

 

[Abiel]

The youngest bible reader in my church is 6. Short passage, straight forward translation, family service. My youngest son. Salvationists have always had an impetus to include.

 

[graysparrow]

Are you better than a 10 years old before God?

 

[PeterPaul]

Are you better than a 10 years old before God?

Well, then I can ask myself if I'm better than a cat. Does God love cats less than he does me? It's not fair to forget about the importance of cats. They have rights too. Am I saying at age thirty I might have more experience and wisdom than a cat? How dare I!

Folks, let's stop discriminating. If they are old enough to say "da-da" then they can try and mouth the words of the good book.

 

[Metanoia02]

I think it is a bad idea. The focus should be on the Word of God not the person who is doing the reading. The tendency for people to sit and say to themselves "oh, isn't that cute" as the reading goes sailing over thier head. Don't we have enough distractions during the Mass without introducing more, just for the sake of inclusiveness? Horrible idea!

 

[PeterPaul]

Exactly Metanoia.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.

Can lay readers be called lectors? Formerly, a lector was ordained, but the minor orders having been abolished, I don't know if the term can now be used for lay people.

Actually- only men can be lectors- while it is not minor orders- it still sorta is- just like Acolyte-- it can only be bestowed on men.