What’s inside my church? The lectern/ambo is a Catholic church’s ‘podium’

Above: The magnificent raised ambo at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in New Orleans is accessible via a spiral staircase. A dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit (pisctured below) hovers above the head of the lector. (Photos by Beth Donze, Clarion Herald)

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

The Latin root of the word “lectern” gives us a hint about its function in Catholic churches: the verb “legere” means “to read.”

Indeed, the lectern is the place behind which Mass lectors (readers), deacons and priests read from the Old and New Testaments during the first part of Mass – the Liturgy of the Word.

The priest or deacon usually remains at the lectern to preach the homily.

The subsequent Prayer of the Faithful, in which we pray for the church, our government leaders, our community and other needs, also takes place here.

In the early church, the lectern was known as the “ambo,“ an elevated part of church from which the Liturgy of the Word took place before congregants’ focus switched to the altar for the second phase of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

No matter what you call it – a lectern, an ambo or a pulpit (the latter term describes a “platform” for preaching) – we invite you to take a closer look at where your church’s readers read, cantors chant and preachers preach!

The photos accompanying this story show the lecterns/ambos at St. Mary’s Assumption Church in New Orleans and St. Angela Merici Church in Metairie. They remind us that the places from which God’s Word is shared may vary in design, but are always objects of sacred beauty.

We invite you to share photos of the lectern at your own parish church. Email submissions to [email protected] and we will post them on the Clarion Herald’s Facebook page!
Pictured: The intricate metal “curtains” flanking the ambo at St. Angela Merici Church in Metairie showcase the traditional symbols of the four evangelists (Gospel writers). The eagle represents St. John; St. Luke is symbolized by an ox (left). The other side of St. Angela’s ambo (below) features a winged man – the symbol for St. Matthew – and the lion of St. Mark.