(From legere, to read).
Support for a book or lectern; a solid and permanent structure on which the Sacred Books, which were generally large and heavy, were placed when used by the ministers of the altar in liturgical functions. In the early days only one of these structures was used; later, two were built, one on the north wall of the choir, and another on the opposite side. From the first the priest delivered the sermon, and so did the bishop, unless he spoke from his cathedra. From there the decrees of the synods were promulgated, censures and excommunications were pronounced, the diptychs were read, the deacon read or sang the Gospel, and all those parts of the liturgy that belonged to the deacon’s office were sung. The other, a little longer but not so high, was divided into two compartments or floors: the first, facing the altar, was used by the subdeacon when he read the epistle; in the other, which faced the ship, the other readings were read. In some churches a third lectern was used for the sermon.
Some of these were built of marble, others of wood, highly adorned with silver and gold, enameled and inlaid with precious stones, covered with bronze plaques and ivory carvings. In addition to those mentioned in the article ambo, we find them among the treasures of the Abbey of Saint-Riquier lectoria tria ex marmore, argento et auro fabricata (PL, CLXXIV, 1257). One found in the courtyard of the church of Saint Pantaleon in Thessaloniki is considered the oldest. In its lower part, the Virgin and Child are in relief, seated on a throne and surrounded by the shepherds and the three Magi, and on the superstructure there are symbolic representations. The top of the lectern in San Apolinar Nuovo in Ravenna is old and quite complete. Another, well preserved and richly decorated, is located in Aachen, and was a donation from Henry II.
Movable lecterns were also made of wood, bronze, or polished brass. A lectern of bronze inlaid with ivory, made in the middle of the twelfth century by Suger, abbot of[[AbbayedeSanDeniswasintheformofaneaglewhosewingssupportedthebook.Eagle-shapedlecternswerealsonumerousinthethirteenthandfourteenthcenturiesinEngland.ExampleswhichdonotdatebacktothefifteenthcenturyatthelatestarefoundinAachenDüsseldorfSanSeverinoinCologneetc.AcarefullywroughtironlecternintheshapeofanXwhichcanbebentisintheClunyMuseuminParis.TheCarthusiansofDijonhadalecternthatwasalargecoppercolumnintheRenaissancestylewhichsupportedaphoenixsurroundedbythefouranimalsoftheprophetEzekiel.Insomethefigureofadeaconholdsthebook.
The synods of Munster (1279), Liège (1287) and Cambrai (1300) prescribed that the Missal, wrapped in a linen cloth, be placed on the altar. Towards the end of the 13th century, a cushion came into use. The oldest knowledge of a support for the Missal is found in an inventory of the Angers cathedral from the year 1297 (Zeitschrift für Kunst christliche, X. 175). During the festivals, all the lecterns were covered with rich gold and silver fabrics. At present, the lecterns are used as supports for the Missal and for the reading of the prophecies of Holy Saturday and Pentecost Saturday, for the song of the Passion, the song of the “Exultet”, and the reading of the readings in the choirs.
Bibliography: Duchesne, Christian Worship (London, 1904), 114, 169, 353; Rock, Church of Our Fathers, I (London, 1903), 106; Kraus, Geschichte der christlichen Kunst, II (Freiburg im Br., 1897), 482; Binterim, Denkwurdigkeiten, IV, I, 70
Source: Mershman, Francis. “Lectern.” The Catholic Encyclopaedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. Feb. 29, 2012.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09110a.htm
Translated by Luz María Hernández Medina.
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia