How instituted lectors are different to other lay readers.

The video “Instituted Lectors and Vestments” is at • Instituted Lectors and... . It is 5:10.
Instituted lector like a Deacon
Difference between instituted lectors and non-instituted lectors.
In the talk I will explain how an instituted lector is different to a lector by temporary deputation. There are different rules that apply to an instituted lector, in the way he or she participates in the Eucharist and other ceremonies.
There can be different terms used for instituted lectors. Sometimes instituted lectors are called installed lectors. Sometimes the “lector by temporary deputation” is called a commission lector. Maybe “instituted” and “non-instituted” lectors would be the clearest. Sometimes the term instituted reader is used, instead of instituted lector.
There are a number of similarities that an instituted lector has to a Deacon.
The Deacon has proper roles that he should perform. The most well known is that he proclaims the Gospel in the Mass. A Priest would not do this, if there is a Deacon present. Similarly an instituted lector is the proper person to proclaim the readings apart from the Gospel.
Age restrictions.
To be ordained as a Deacon one must be a certain age. Similarly, there are age restrictions for someone to be instituted as a lector. In the USA it is to be of a minimum age of 21. It used to be that only men could be instituted as lectors, but Pope Francis changed this to include women in 2021, and he instituted women as lectors earlier this year, 2022.
Vestments.
The Deacon has special vestments that distinguish him from others in the ceremony. ... An instituted lector is required to wear vestments, at some Masses, as explained in the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass, n. 54: “During the celebration of Mass with a congregation a second priest, a deacon and an instituted reader must wear the distinctive vestment of their office when they go to the lectern to read the word of God. Those who carry out the ministry of reader just for the occasion or even regularly but without institution may go to the lectern in ordinary attire that is in keeping with local custom.” Not all Masses have a congregation. But for those Masses that do, the instituted lector must wear vestments.
Being in the sanctuary.
A deacon will be in the entrance procession at Mass and then remain in the sanctuary. He would not sit in the pews with the congregation. Similarly an instituted lector is to have a place in the sanctuary with the other ministers, as it say in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n. n. 195, the instituted lector is clearly required to be in the sanctuary for the whole of Mass. It describes the entrance procession and concludes with “Then the reader takes his own place in the sanctuary with the other ministers.” It is clear from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n. 99, that this is a description of the instituted lector’s function. What is the sanctuary? This part of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains it, from n. 295: “The sanctuary is the place where the altar stands, the Word of God is proclaimed, and the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers exercise their functions. Is should be appropriately marked off from the body of the church either by its being somewhat elevated or by a particular structure and ornamentation.”
Leading Ceremonies.
... Here is how it is expressed in the General Introduction of the Book of Blessings n. 18. First it describes the role of Bishops, then Priests, next Deacons ... Then in paragraph d: “An acolyte or a reader who by formal institution has this special office in the Church is rightly preferred over another layperson as the minister designated at the discretion of the local Ordinary to impart certain blessings.”
Then it discusses other laymen and laywomen, ending the section with “But whenever a priest or a deacon is present, the office of presiding should be left to him.”
Similarly the 1988 Directory for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, n. 30, says that, after Deacons, instituted lectors and acolytes are to be chosen first, with the care of these celebrations. Other laypersons may be appointed if these instituted ministers are not available.
So I have discussed how an instituted lector is similar to a deacon in terms of having a proper role in the ceremonies, age restrictions, wearing vestments, being in the sanctuary and leading ceremonies.
...
To summarise the five points with five words: proper, age, vestments, sanctuary, leading.
I think the vestments and the sanctuary make a big practical difference to people. Unless the instituted lector’s family are also ministers, they will not be sitting with their family during Mass. Similar to a deacon. For an adult, who is not a Priest, to be wearing vestments at Mass may be unfamiliar to some parishes.

[@ChisomOkolie12]

This is so thorough and the references are on point. Well done Brother!

[@vgocd]

This is super helpful. I am going to be instituted as a lector soon and have had trouble succinctly explaining the difference. Thank you!

[@MissCase530]

Thanks for explaining this. The GIRM is vague for the general reader. The position of lector in the church is plagued by inconsistent treatment and grossly misunderstood by 99% of parishes. We need more instituted lectors where people can get used to the idea.