Alter Server guide

[Lepanto]

I guess I’m just an old curmudgeon, but I seriously dislike the politically-correct and androgynous term “altar servers.”

Boys should be altar boys.

 

[dandn5000]

I guess I’m just an old curmudgeon, but I seriously dislike the politically-correct and androgynous term “altar servers.”

Boys should be altar boys.

But what if there are female altar servers?

Not exactly fitting to call them “altar boys”.

 

[Lepanto]

But what if there are female altar servers?

Not exactly fitting to call them “altar boys”.

Only boys should be altar boys. The unfortunate fact is that some places now have girl altar boys.

 

[dandn5000]

Only boys should be altar boys. The unfortunate fact is that some places now have girl altar boys.

catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=5212

1. Canon 230 #2 has a permissive and not a preceptive character: “Laici . . . possunt.” Hence the permission given in this regard by some Bishops can in no way be considered as binding on other Bishops. In fact, it is the competence of each Bishop, in his diocese, after hearing the opinion of the Episcopal Conference, to make a prudential judgment on what to do, with a view to the ordered development of liturgical life in his own diocese.

1. The Holy See respects the decision adopted by certain Bishops for specific local reasons on the basis of the provisions of Canon 230 2. At the same time, however, the Holy See wishes to recall that it will always be very appropriate to follow the noble tradition of having boys serve at the altar. As is well known, this has led to a reassuring development of priestly vocations. Thus the obligation to support such groups of altar boys will always continue.

1. If in some diocese, on the basis of Canon 230 #2, the Bishop permits that, for particular reasons, women may also serve at the altar, this decision must be clearly explained to the faithful, in the light of the above-mentioned norm. It shall also be made clear that the norm is already being widely applied, by the fact that women frequently serve as lectors in the Liturgy and can also be called upon to distribute Holy Communion as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and to carry out other functions, according to the provisions of the same Canon 230 #3.

I’m assuming that mrcrister’s diocese is not one of the very few diocese’s left in the States that do not allow female altar servers.

In any case, it is explicitly allowed for any parish in a diocese where they are allowed by the Bishop to use female altar servers at the discretion of the priest.

 

[ProMultis]

Also, I must admit to being less-than enamored of the somewhat “hip” style in which the document is written. Little gems such as “what the heck is this guy doing, telling me…” are representative of the secular culture and have no place in a parish document. :tsktsk:

you are correct, Chatter. Mrcrister: I might recommend the following link. It contains lots of information on serving the Mass, and points you to a servers guide. The guide is also written to a younger audience, but is absent the “hip tip” lingo. Granted, it is written for the TLM, but you might find the style and presentation much more appropriate. Afterall, serving the Mass isn’t exactly the same as hanging out on the street, and it would be good idea to make that distinction clearly to your Altar boys.
sanctamissa.org/EN/serving/index.html

 

[Lepanto]

catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=5212

I’m assuming that mrcrister’s diocese is not one of the very few diocese’s left in the States that do not allow female altar servers.

In any case, it is explicitly allowed for any parish in a diocese where they are allowed by the Bishop to use female altar servers at the discretion of the priest.

The fact that it’s licit does not make it a good idea.

 

[scylla]

You know what Lepanto, I agree with you, and I do think it is sinful for me to support girls as altar servers knowing what I know.
I do not support them but if someone is going to go up on the altar they should have a least a bit of respect and an understanding of the Mass and the place of the Priest there.

That is why I assisted in giving advice, yet in no way is this an endorsement of having girls serve on the altar. The girls are not sinning or doing anything wrong and should never be talked to with disrespect, which allowing them to serve does to them.

It is below the dignity of a girl to need to serve to be equal as all are special and have their own dignity in the eyes of God, we all have our places and roles to serve.

But this is a thread on how best to explain service and since the current Catholic climate is in a crisis of faith where most do not understand what the Mass is we should seek to lovingly explain what it all means.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Lepanto]

You know what Lepanto, I agree with you, and I do think it is sinful for me to support girls as altar servers knowing what I know.
I do not support them but if someone is going to go up on the altar they should have a least a bit of respect and an understanding of the Mass and the place of the Priest there.

That is why I assisted in giving advice, yet in no way is this an endorsement of having girls serve on the altar. The girls are not sinning or doing anything wrong and should never be talked to with disrespect, which allowing them to serve does to them.

It is below the dignity of a girl to need to serve to be equal as all are special and have their own dignity in the eyes of God, we all have our places and roles to serve.

But this is a thread on how best to explain service and since the current Catholic climate is in a crisis of faith where most do not understand what the Mass is we should seek to lovingly explain what it all means.

God Bless
Scylla

I agree with you everything you said.

Thank you, Scylla. You are far more articulate and gracious than I.