Q: Thank you for your insightful blog, which I reference often. I have a brief question regarding the introduction of readings at Mass.

Some lectors preface the readings with phrases like “The first reading is…” or “The second reading is from…” rather than the standard “A reading from…” For example: “The second reading is from the letter of St. Paul…” This sometimes causes confusion, especially when the responsorial psalm is treated as a reading, making the numbering inaccurate.

Is there an official directive that specifies how readings should be introduced?

Thank you for your time and continued guidance.

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A: Thanks for your comments on my blog.

The readers should introduce the readings exactly as indicated in the lectionary. This is based on the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, nos. 121 and 122. You can find the directive here:  https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/general-introduction-to-the-lectionary-second-edition-2189