Q: Someone is arguing with me that when I’m the presider for Mass, my priestly duties include proclaiming the first reading, not just the gospel. Is that right?

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A: There’s really no argument.

GIRM 91 requires that all ministers carry out “solely but totally that which pertains to them.”  GIRM 59 spells out the responsibilities: “The function of proclaiming the readings is by tradition not presidential but ministerial. Therefore the readings are to be read by a reader, but the Gospel by the Deacon or, in his absence, by another Priest. If, however, a Deacon or another Priest is not present, the Priest Celebrant himself should read the Gospel, and moreover, if no other suitable reader is present, the Priest Celebrant should also proclaim the other readings as well.”

The Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass (52) says “The liturgical assembly truly requires readers, even those not instituted.”

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