Female Altar Servers

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Lovemyfaith said:
*My parish at the time had two boys considering the vocation (seniors in high school) that left the ranks the very day the girls showed up. *

When I think of the adversities of some saints who became priests, I really don’t think a few girls showing up would be that big of a deal for someone with a strong conviction. It is my understanding that a pastor decides who may serve in his parish. If those boys had a desire to become a priest, perhaps they could have someday instructed their parishes of what they believe to be true catholic doctrine.

I see so many examples of boys not being put off by girls, chess club, elective honors courses, in fact when a girl wanted to play travel soccer on the boys team, and was one of the best players on the team, not one boy quit. If a boy really wants to do something no one person will keep him from it.

I have talked to so many priests about this topic. Never once has one of them said they mind female servers. The most I could get was if there were limited spots and there were enough boys, the boys should get the spots. By the way the priest that told me that also told me it shouldn’t be a problem to have more than two servers at any given Mass; anyone who wants to serve should be invited.
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I’ve been re-thinking this issue a lot lately. We attend the Cathedral parish in our Archdiocese. Our pastor prefers boys as servers, however we have only one boy at the present time who serves and he is only 8 years old. There is one 14 year old girl who serves, but only occasionally. Many Sunday Masses have no one to serve.

Would it be better to not have any servers, or under these conditions should girls be allowed to step up to the plate? My 10 year old daughter has expressed a desire to serve for a couple of years now. Up until now I have discouraged her from doing so, but even at a parish like mine, which is very traditional and does not routinely use girls, the boys aren’t interested. Perhaps they are over-scheduled in sports, etc. and altar serving is not interesting enough for them.

I agree with the above poster about boys not being “put off” by girls in regards to other activities. I haven’t heard of many, or any, boys abandoning their chess clubs, debate teams, science clubs, etc. because a girl joined the team.

Anyway, I’m not sure where I stand on this issue anymore. Maybe, if the MP comes through we can all go back to the Tridentine Mass and not have to worry about this issue, or the other issues about lay involvement during Mass.:confused:
 
We have zero vocations to the priesthood, altar girls and a female administrator. The last vocation was my brother, he served when only boys served and when we had a good orthodox priest. This was many years ago.

There recently was a vocations retreat, but since it was only for boys seeking the priesthood there was no mention of it and no fliers distributed in my parish even though they were available.
The response from the female administrator actually was quite hostile when the vocations retreat was mentioned, as she is promoting female priests.
Yes, there are some exceptions, yet the most vocations come from those parishes which teach and promote obedient Catholicism.

The reasons behind the desire for female altar servers is quite clear, the proponents want a blurring of the lines between the sexes so eventually they will have female priests. It is not a desire for humility but a selfish desire of pride.

Yes, people have received permission to allow altar girls, many nice, good girls have served not knowing the agenda behind the movement.

God Bless
Scylla
 
When I first saw little girls serving at the altar, I thought it was a lovely thing. As a choir member, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be so close to the saying of the Mass and now that our choir is taking a (much-needed) summer break, I miss the intensity of it.
Who knows what these girl altar servers may be inspired to do in their later years as a result of being so very close to the Mass. They may become saints for all we know.
 
THurifer2 said:
I visited that website and almost started crying. OH MY how wonderful those boys look with thier cassocks ans surplices…they look like mini-priests and they look so dignified and serious of their task.
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Our parish looks pretty much the same 🙂
 
RosalieM said:
When I first saw little girls serving at the altar, I thought it was a lovely thing. As a choir member, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be so close to the saying of the Mass and now that our choir is taking a (much-needed) summer break, I miss the intensity of it.
Who knows what these girl altar servers may be inspired to do in their later years as a result of being so very close to the Mass. They may become saints for all we know.
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The person in the very last pew is just as ‘close to the Mass’ the any altarboy. The Mass extends throughout the Church, so your point is invalid.

And how were all the other female saints throughout history inspired to sainthood?

But look at the LARGE majority of priests, they got THEIR inspiration from altar service.

Girls, by definition, cannot be inspired to the priesthood. Boy can be.
 
Thanks for all the replies. It’s interesting to read everyone’s opinion. Btw, when was it first allowed? I couldn’t seem to get the answer.
 
I sorta wonder why female altar servers ARE allowed? God forbid if they were allowed in order to placate those who ignored the prohibition or pushed for female altar servers.

I really wish Pope JPII had explained in detail and in very clear language the reason(s) for the change. This is a monumental and highly sensitive matter. Not doing so has created a lot of hurt feelings, dissent and it has wasted a great deal of resources.

Given the language in RS and other documents there is no question the Holy See exhibits a preference for male servers, more specifically those males who might just be discerning a call to be ordained.
 
RosalieM said:
When I first saw little girls serving at the altar, I thought it was a lovely thing. .
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Rosalie,

I was just wondering.

How large is your parish ( how many registered families)

and how many vocations to the priesthood has your parish in the last 10 years?
 
Brendan said:
That is exactly how my parish is NOW.

We have about 70 altar BOYS. Before each Mass, Father leads them in a prayer asking for enlightenment on a vocation to the priesthood.

And it’s working too.

Out of a parish of about 800 families, we have 6 men in the Seminiary right now, and have had 6 other men from our parish Ordained to the priesthood in the last 10 years.
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Here we go again :rolleyes: don’t forget to mention that your parish is a huge homeschooling parish. I think the homeschooling factor makes a big difference. It’s not necessarily that your only using boys. Most of the priests that are coming out of my diocese heard the calling while in school or by a good mentor in their lives…their parents, teacher or priest, not because they were altar boys.
 
vince2paul said:
Do you think we should encourage female altar servers? What is the reason for allowing female altar servers in the first place? In my diocese, female altar servers are not allowed, so I’m just curious.

I’m not trying to start a debate here, I just want to know. 🙂

Peace,
Vincent
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I think we should encourage all children to become involved in the life of their parish. Their gender shouldn’t be a factor. I train altar servers in my parish and to be honest so far I have found the girls to be more attentive and reverent than the boys. 🤷
 
anamchara said:
I think we should encourage all children to become involved in the life of their parish. Their gender shouldn’t be a factor. I train altar servers in my parish and to be honest so far I have found the girls to be more attentive and reverent than the boys. 🤷
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I’ve heard this from other people as well. One mom I know, said that the girls at her previous parish did a much better job than the boys, and that the boys were intimidated by this fact. Therefore, in her opinion girls should not be allowed to “outshine” the boys because it makes the boys feel bad:( . I don’t know, maybe the boys should try to do a better job:shrug:
 
Kelly said:
I’ve heard this from other people as well. One mom I know, said that the girls at her previous parish did a much better job than the boys, and that the boys were intimidated by this fact. Therefore, in her opinion girls should not be allowed to “outshine” the boys because it makes the boys feel bad:( . I don’t know, maybe the boys should try to do a better job:shrug:
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Send them to our parish.

Our pastor accepts boys as young as 5. And all the training is done by the older boys.

My 8 year old has already trained a number of 6 year olds to hold the patens at Communion, when to come up to recieve the gifts at Offetory and where to stand to give the priests the cruets.

The High Schoolers are so well trained that they change the pages of the Sacramentary for Father (so when Father is about to reach the end of a page, the altar boy is right there to change the page for him), and remove and place the pall over the chalice at all the correct times.

It’s a great model. The younger boys want to be like the older ones, so they follow their example.

Read the link from Patienceand Love (post #20 of this thread), our program works almost identically to Grotto’s, with similar sucess 👍
 
Brendan,

I didn’t mean to imply that people in the pews don’t experience the mass intensely. But I think that participating in the mass in a more active way can be even more inspiring for most and I believe, more intense. I think it helps altar servers in their call to holiness. It can deepen and intensify faith, (as can doing the sacramentals at home.) Faith can grow and deepen.
I’m not sure how many people are in my parish. I think someone mentioned about 2,000. I do know, however, that not that many from my parish have joined the priesthood. I daresay it isn’t because there are girl altar servers as well as boy altar servers.
 
I sorta wonder why the Holy See has NOW allowed the use of female altar servers? God forbid if they were allowed in order to placate those who ignored the prohibition or pushed for female altar servers.

I really wish Pope JPII had explained in detail and in very clear language the reason(s) for the change – if you indeed consider it a “change.” This is a monumental and highly sensitive matter to a great many people. Not doing so has created a lot of confusion, hurt feelings, dissent and it has also wasted a great deal of resources as people debate this matter over and over.

Given the language in RS and other documents there is no question the Holy See exhibits a preference for male servers, more specifically those males who might just be discerning a call to be ordained.

The focus on female altar servers is always about if they are a good idea and not why the Holy See has allowed them. I would like to know more because if there’s one thing the Church does that bothers me is that it sometimes creates/facilitates situations like this that seemingly could have been avoided if certain people had greater resolve – one way or the other.
 
RosalieM said:
Brendan,

I didn’t mean to imply that people in the pews don’t experience the mass intensely. But I think that participating in the mass in a more active way can be even more inspiring for most and I believe, more intense.
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I think you might benefit from Pope Benedict’s book “The Spirit of the Liturgy”, it describes what participation best benefits the laity, it involves the silent contemplation of the Mass.
I think it helps altar servers in their call to holiness. It can deepen and intensify faith, (as can doing the sacramentals at home.) Faith can grow and deepen.
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Were the great women saints of the past lacking ways to deepen and intensify their faith but not being allowed to be altar servers?
I’m not sure how many people are in my parish. I think someone mentioned about 2,000. I do know, however, that not that many from my parish have joined the priesthood. I daresay it isn’t because there are girl altar servers as well as boy altar servers.
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As I mentioned above, our parish has about 800 familes. We have 6 men in the seminiar right now, and have seen 6 other men from our parish Ordained to the priesthood in the last 10 years.

We have 3 parishes in our Archdiocese that use only altaryBOYS. So that is 3 parishes out of 420. We account for less that 1/2 of a percent of the Archdiocese, but these 3 parishes account for 20% of the men in the seminary right now.

If the use of altargirls is NOT the reason for the lack of similar vocations in your parish, what is?

Since each vocation is a call from God, why is God calling men who have served in all male altarboy contingents in greater numbers than men from other parishes?
 
Brendan said:
The High Schoolers are so well trained that they change the pages of the Sacramentary for Father (so when Father is about to reach the end of a page, the altar boy is right there to change the page for him), and remove and place the pall over the chalice at all the correct times.

:
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Brenden, are you certain that is allowed? I was under the impression those duites are reserved for the ordained. Certainly it is not proper if a deacon is present.
 
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