ALTAR GIRLS POLL---what do you think of them???

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The Pope said its up to the diocese…he didnt condemn the practice…but suggested minimal use of girls serving. Therefore, it should be okay with others…however, I understand people have certain preferences, and thats fine…but some of you need to hear yourselves…in spite of what the Pope said, you are still saying its condemned…so…what are you saying about the Pope then? huh? Is there a Schism just around the corner with someones name on it?

My mind is blown that so many on a Sunday are literally STEWING in their Pews over this, when there are other more important things at hand.
 
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kwitz:
We could argue that the Holy Father acquiessed to allow the TLM.
I beg your pardon? Please show me where the Church ever forbade the TLM from being celebrated? How did disobedience to Rome initiate the TLM being approved?
Remember, the T in TLM stands for Traditional. Please provide the documents which forbade the TLM?
In fact, the documents which call for the Novus Ordo Mass specifically say that some parts of the Mass are to be retained in the Church’s tongue ~ Latin.
Do you attend many Novus Ordo Masses where any Latin is retained?
The Church has stated that the TLM should be offered to the faithful “generously.” I see this Mass being offered sparsley and during times when those who would have to travel a distance would be quite hard-pressed to attend.
Since I attend a NO Mass, I’m not in a position to argue all the facts in support of TLM, but I can tell you that it never was forbidden by the Vatican.

This thread has nothing to do with TLM. It is about female altar servers.
Female altar servers were forbidden, in writing.
My point being that since girls are expressly allowed to be altar servers according to Redemptinis Sacramentum and the TLM indult is expressly allowed, then none of us should have a problem with either occurring.
There is a huge difference, and you’re mixing apples and oranges.
Female servers are permitted under certain conditions. And they were permitted only after the Church here in the US was widespread in using female servers in direct defiance of Rome.
The Vatican hasn’t said, ‘the noble tradition of female servers is laudibly retained.’ It has stated that, under certain circumstances, they will be permitted. (It’s kinda like telling a kid who repeatedly disobeys you that he now has your limited permission to do something quite similar to the disobedient acts in which he’s already been engaging.
Altar girls came into being as a sign of defiance against Inaestimabile Donum and their use was intended to pave the way for female ordination. But the Vatican put up a blockade, and that attempt failed.
But putting little girls up on the altar may ultimately frustrate them, because one day, some of them will inquire…“Gee, I can serve; why can’t I be ordained?”
And then, the feminists can further attack the Church, and say, “because the Church is sexist, honey.” Because such people have no appreciation for Church tradition or Tradition.
The Church, however, does have appreciation for tradition, and as such calls for the generous application of the Traditional Latin Mass.
As long as there are female servers, the next logical step will be female ordination in some people’s minds.
That is why, although it is ‘permitted,’ you don’t hear Rome really encouraging it.
Again, perhaps were it not for the disobedience of the Novus Ordo celebrants who removed all the Latin from the NO, maybe the TLM would have ‘phased out.’ (But I don’t think so. Such a glorious liturgy would most likely perpetuate through time, giving to God the highest form of praise that every human heart can muster.)

Incidentally, when my son, for whatever reason, is unable to serve, we generally call upon his female cousin to stand in for him. She has never turned us down.

I just wouldn’t have my daughters sign up to be servers, as I know the history of the permission, understand the Church’s intent, and appreciate Her tradition of male servers.
 
Well, I haven’t read anything that anyone posted here, so forgive me if I am simply repeating what anyone else has said:

I didn’t vote because I see options: Girls in the Novus Ordo Mass are okay, IMO. The role of the altar server is greatly reduced in the Novus Ordo, and so I don’t think it would encourage them to become priests. I don’t think it even encourages BOYS to become priests.

The TLM is a different story, however. Altar boys have to absolutely know that Mass, all the ins and outs. They are extremely active in that Mass and it seems that it would be a perfect “breeding ground” as 'twere, for future priests.

So, girls at the NO–okay.

Girls at the TLM–not okay.
 
if they come seeking answers, this thread should do a pretty sound job scaring them away.
🙂
 
My diocese has only boy servers (Arlington) and I personally like it that way but I am not so ‘anti-girl’ that I would get up and walk out if I were visiting somewhere and happened to see a girl up front. Its allowed. I would just close my eyes and think of the women who ministered to Jesus and his followers during their early ministry and that would help me tolerate it a little better.

We have lots of young men entereing the seminary from this diocese btw…

I really am getting tired of these “I could’t do what I wanted in the church because of the women…I lost interest because of the women…” Be honest. I didn’t really want to obey God and serve him and so I am using the women as a good excuse. It didn’t work in the garden of Eden and I honestly don’t think it should be a very good excuse now.

dream wanderer
 
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Meggie:
Girls should be allowed to alter serve…

…in all the parishes I know of status as acolate/ cross bearer/ master server(holds the book for the priest) depends on age and not gender. Only confirmed could be a master server, only those preparing for confirmation (two year process) could be cross bearers.

Alot of the girls are more respectful then boys. Its also silly to argue in the case of vocation increse becasue in a big parish a boy or girl might serve once a month. With increslingly short Masses I do not believe this is a significant ammout of time to change any vocation inclined behavior.
 
Agomemnon,
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Agomemnon:
Its IS a big “T” Tradition for only men and boys in the sanctuary (or presbyterium). This has been maintained by both East and West for 2000 years.
Please provide the proof that it is a *de fide *dogma of Catholicism. I have Denzinger’s Sources of Catholic Dogma, Ludwig Ott’s *Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, *and Jurgen’s *The Faith of the Early Fathers *and I don’t find it in either source. Simply asserting it to be a *de fide *Dogma is unconvincing. Can you quote the magisterial text which shows it manifestly to be an immutable law?
What 2000 year traditions maintained between both East and West aren’t apostolic and big T 'Traditions???
For the first 1200 years, infant children were allowed to received Holy Communion in both East and West. Now, it is against the Canon Law in the west. Seems to me this long standing tradition changed. The number of years something is traditionally practiced does not make it a *de fide dogma. *It is only *de fide *dogmas that are immutable, and only the Catholic Magisterium can declare something to be *de fide *dogma. Disciplinary practices, even very ancient ones, even those established by the apostles themselves (like avoiding strangled meat and blood of animal) are not immutable.
Inaestimable Donum, Altae Sunt, among others state clearly that females in teh santuary is an abuse. It is an ‘evil’ practice.
The Bible is very clear about avoiding the meat of stangled animals and blood. This still does not prove it is an immutable *de fide *dogma of Catholicism. You don’t seem to grasp the difference between Ecclesiastical Law (which is binding when in force, but is not immutable) and Divine Law (which is immutable).

In 1980, Pope John Paul II asserted:“Women are not, however, permitted to act as altar servers.” ( ***Inaestimabile Donum ***) This was an affimation of Ecclesiastical Law that was binding upon all Catholics at that time, not a definition of Divine Law that is always binding. It is no different than affirming Eccliastical Laws (non-immutable) regarding receiving Holy Communion which are in no way considered Divine Law (immutable).

See Pope Pius X’s Quam Singular (1910), papalencyclicals.net/Pius10/p10quam.htm:
The Catholic Church … took care even from the beginning to bring the little ones to Christ through Eucharistic Communion, which was administered even to nursing infants. This, as was prescribed in almost all ancient Ritual books, was done at Baptism until the thirteenth century, and this custom prevailed in some places even later. It is still found in the Greek and Oriental Churches.

This practice later died out in the Latin Church, and children were not permitted to approach the Holy Table until they had come to the use of reason and had some knowledge of this august Sacrament. This new practice, already accepted by certain local councils, was solemnly confirmed by the Fourth Council of the Lateran, in 1215, which promulgated its celebrated Canon XXI, whereby sacramental Confession and Holy Communion were made obligatory on the faithful after they had attained the use of reason
Just because altar girls are a **new practice **of the Catholic Church, does not make it evil, nor does it make it a big “T” tradition.
 
I disagree with you that the time at the altar is limited and does not influence a boys vocation to the priesthood. I have recently been attending the Latin mass. This past Sunday they announced five seminarians who are studying for the priesthood that belong to this church. I do not know of any other parish that can claim so many men who are studying to be a priest. Their has to be a relationship then with the fact that this church only uses altar boys. Feminism has done a lot of damage to the catholic church, this is just one example. Women who are not secure in their roles and are always trying to take on the roles of men need to realize their selfish behavior and learn to enjoy their special role as a woman. There are many other works they can do in the church but being a priest or altar server is not appropriate.
 
I was female altar server in Jr. High, mid 80’s. I didnt realize there was any controversy at the time but as a mature adult I really dont’ understand why we are allowed to use female altar servers since women cannot, for reasons I agree with, be ordained into the priesthood or become deacons. I think girls should be encouraged to become lectors, assist with CCD, children’s church, work on committees etc. That being said, If the pope says its OK I have no problems with it… it doesn’t make me upset to see girl altar servers, at ALL. But if I could vote on it, I would vote no.
 
ALTAR GIRLS POLL—what do you think of them???

I think the world of my 13-year-old altar girl 🙂 and my 12-year old boy who is a reader.

We have 3 seminarians and 2 in deaconate training from my parish, despite the “evil” use of altar girls. :rolleyes:

Whether the use of altar girls is prudent is speculative. Whether the use, as approved by the Church, is evil, is erroneous, according to the Teaching Church, despite the whining within the Taught Church.
 
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angelnurse:
I disagree with you that the time at the altar is limited and does not influence a boys vocation to the priesthood. I have recently been attending the Latin mass. This past Sunday they announced five seminarians who are studying for the priesthood that belong to this church. I do not know of any other parish that can claim so many men who are studying to be a priest. Their has to be a relationship then with the fact that this church only uses altar boys. Feminism has done a lot of damage to the catholic church, this is just one example. Women who are not secure in their roles and are always trying to take on the roles of men need to realize their selfish behavior and learn to enjoy their special role as a woman. There are many other works they can do in the church but being a priest or altar server is not appropriate.
Please re-read my post again. I said that the time at the altar for boys in the Novus Ordo Mass is limited and really does not influence them to become priests. I said quite the opposite for the TLM.
 
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Peace-bwu:
I was female altar server in Jr. High, mid 80’s. I didnt realize there was any controversy at the time but as a mature adult I really dont’ understand why we are allowed to use female altar servers since women cannot, for reasons I agree with, be ordained into the priesthood or become deacons. I think girls should be encouraged to become lectors, assist with CCD, children’s church, work on committees etc. That being said, If the pope says its OK I have no problems with it… it doesn’t make me upset to see girl altar servers, at ALL. But if I could vote on it, I would vote no.
Women cannot become lectors they are allowed to be temporary readers but not lectors and yes it does matter.
 
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itsjustdave1988:
ALTAR GIRLS POLL—what do you think of them???
We have 3 seminarians and 2 in deaconate training from my parish, despite the “evil” use of altar girls. :rolleyes:

Whether the use of altar girls is prudent is speculative. Whether the use, as approved by the Church, is evil, is erroneous, according to the Teaching Church, despite the whining within the Taught Church.
In Rome the Holy Father allowed girls to be candle bearers only. I have never seen it posted anywhere from the vatican that the girls could do anything but that. Thats great that your parish has 3 seminarians and 2 deaconate. I don’t think its as you say “evil” but are you going to follow the rules of the vatican or the rules of priests who do not chose to follow Rome. Confession was banned for 4th grade children quite some time ago it was to be returned to the original age of 2nd grade, but there are many parishes who have left it at 4th grade now I know better so when I teach the 2nd grade they all receive confession at the correct age. We must be obedient to our Holy Father and not always follow wayward priests.:banghead:
 
The problem with the blind obidience crowd is that this crowd is blind to what takes place in other countries. The truth is, altar girls outside the English speaking world and Northren Europe are pretty rare. They are almost unheard of in Poland, they are rare in Latin America, and even in Rome itself, as another post said, girls serving at the altar is banned.

The truth is it is a large number of parishes in the US that is liturgically out of sync with the rest of the world. As I said, as the Vatican II era clergy continue to retire, I except fewer and fewer girls to serve on the altar as younger clergey gain power.

Lastly, in the Novus Ordo mass, an altar server can still have a fairly big role, I have seen properly trained altar servers at NO masses, just its not too common.
 
Panis Angelicas:
I beg your pardon? Please show me where the Church ever forbade the TLM from being celebrated? How did disobedience to Rome initiate the TLM being approved?
Remember, the T in TLM stands for Traditional. Please provide the documents which forbade the TLM?
The Church has stated that the TLM should be offered to the faithful “generously.” I see this Mass being offered sparsley and during times when those who would have to travel a distance would be quite hard-pressed to attend.
This thread has nothing to do with TLM. It is about female altar servers.
Female altar servers were forbidden, in writing.
There is a huge difference, and you’re mixing apples and oranges.
Female servers are permitted under certain conditions. And they were permitted only after the Church here in the US was widespread in using female servers in direct defiance of Rome.
The Vatican hasn’t said, ‘the noble tradition of female servers is laudibly retained.’ It has stated that, under certain circumstances, they will be permitted. (It’s kinda like telling a kid who repeatedly disobeys you that he now has your limited permission to do something quite similar to the disobedient acts in which he’s already been engaging.
That is why, although it is ‘permitted,’ you don’t hear Rome really encouraging it.
Again, perhaps were it not for the disobedience of the Novus Ordo celebrants who removed all the Latin from the NO, maybe the TLM would have ‘phased out.’ (But I don’t think so. Such a glorious liturgy would most likely perpetuate through time, giving to God the highest form of praise that every human heart can muster.)
QUOTE]

I’ll be the first to admit that comparing TLM to female altar servers wasn’t a perfect analogy but the similarity is that an indult is needed - it is not the norm (although allowed) to celebrate a TLM. Under certain circumstances a TLM is permitted (I’ll be honest, I have no idea why the indult is given sometimes and not others). I don’t want to go off on a tangent but I was trying to make the comparison that TLM used to be rare and now because people are requesting (which is their right) them, they have become more common. But, 30 years ago they were highly discouraged just as female altar servers were. Both are now allowed.

Also, as far as I’ve read there are no conditions to having female altar servers (unless the priest doesn’t want them?). The custom of male servers is laudable but I have seen nothing that says females are allowed only in situations X, Y or Z.
Kris
 
My son was 9 when and we were new to the Parish when the lady who organizes the servers said “your son should serve” - I said “OKAY”. Jude was a little kid, and I simply told him that next week he would begin learning to be a server. He was the found a joy in serving, and last year, at age 12 he was promoted to Grand Master Knight.

He is very mature for his age, and they depend on him when our organizer is out of town AND there is a visiting Priest - he’ll be that is called.

Much of the lack of participation I see is from the parents, they will not be flexible, how many times are we called because no one will serve outside of their “regular” Mass - don’t ask them to serve this week at 8 AM cause they are 10:30ers. Many just do not show up, and my son is the one that is willing to be called on 10 Minutes before Mass begins. The parents need to be parents and show the servers how important serving is. It is a great honor, and needs to be treated as such!
 
I am frankly overewhelmed that something like this question can generate so much heat and venom. If this is what occupies our minds during Mass Our Lord must not get much attention or time.May He forgive us our foolishness.
 
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rwoehmke:
I am frankly overewhelmed that something like this question can generate so much heat and venom. If this is what occupies our minds during Mass Our Lord must not get much attention or time.May He forgive us our foolishness.
Yes I agree that this radical modernist push to have women and girls in such roles is foolish. Its time for this evil practic (Pope Boniface) is ended and the noble and holy bi-millenial tradtion of only boys and men serving (Pope JPII) be laudibly retained.
 
Toni

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Confession was banned for 4th grade children
I think I understand what you are saying but this would sound like kids in fourth grade can’t go to confession. Probably what you mean is that children should be going to confession by the time they are in second grade.
 
If this is what occupies our minds during Mass Our Lord must not get much attention or time.May He forgive us our foolishness
That’s not fair No one said they were so occupied with who was serving as to neglect their focus or attention at Mass This is, after all, the liturgy section and that is what we discuss here.

We discuss if the rubics, the liturgy, the form, etc. are in keeping with the liturgical and canon laws.

In the spirituality section we discuss spirituality.

In the sacraments section, we discuss the sacraments.
 
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