Reading with Faith: My First Time Serving as a Lay Liturgical Minister

Reading with Faith: My First Time Serving as a Lay Liturgical Minister

by Cristel Jane Gultiano

Serving for the first time as a Lay Liturgical Minister (LLM) was an experience that challenged my fears and strengthened my faith in God. At first, I thought it would be a simple task—just reading—but it turned out to be a meaningful moment that taught me that true service is not about performance, but about mission and calling. It is about offering oneself to God sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Putting on the Lay Liturgical Minister (LLM) uniform for the first time, I already felt nervous as I looked in the mirror, constantly reminding myself that I could do it. What ifs flooded my mind—what if I made a mistake while reading? What if I mispronounced a word? As I walked toward the church, my hands trembled and my pulse fluttered. However, knowing that my friends were beside me and that it was also their first time serving somehow gave me a sense of relief. I reminded myself that I was not alone in this journey.

When we arrived at the church, I composed myself and reread the First Reading, since I was assigned as the first reader. I practiced carefully and asked for clarification on the proper pronunciation of certain words to make sure I would read them correctly. A few minutes later, we proceeded to our seats. As I sat down, I looked up and saw the image of God. I silently prayed for guidance, hoping everything would turn out well. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths to calm my tense heart.

When the priest arrived, my attention shifted. I listened carefully and kept in mind everything I learned from our seminars and rehearsals. As we walked down the aisle and bowed before the altar, I felt my heart thump louder than ever. When I reached the podium, I heard nothing but silence. I looked at the people and began to read. As I spoke the first word, a thought flashed in my mind—read with heart. And so I did. With every word I read, I felt its meaning deeply, as if it touched not only my voice but every part of me—my heart, my bones, my spirit. It felt light in my heart.

When I finished reading, it felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from me. I was deeply thankful that everything went well. I realized that despite my fear of speaking in front of many people, I was able to overcome it—not by my strength alone, but because I was serving God. Since I have the ability to read, I used it to share His words with others.

After the Mass, I came to understand that serving is not about performance or how one appears before others. It is a mission—a calling. This experience made me realize that serving in the house of God and serving God Himself is more than just standing and reading aloud in front of people. It is a calling that humbles me, gives me courage, and strengthens my faith. Through this experience, I learned that when service is offered to God, fear slowly turns into purpose, and even the smallest role becomes meaningful.