Female Altar Servers

[Brendan]

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.

Which, turning the pages of the Sacramentary, or placing and removing the Pall?

The altarboys are not permitted to touch the chalice itself (the Deacon does that) but they do touch the Pall.

The Pall is not a Sacred Vessel, but rather a supplementary, such as the Corporal or a Purificator.

I know of no liturgical regulations on altar servers contacting supplimentaries

( Also, the altarboys serving at the altar wear white gloves as well)

 

[THurifer2]

Which, turning the pages of the Sacramentary, or placing and removing the Pall?

( Also, the altarboys serving at the altar wear white gloves as well)

Both actually but turning pages. I was informed by my priest that only the deacon may do this task. (or celebrant if no deacon present)

 

[Yes]

Both actually but turning pages. I was informed by my priest that only the deacon may do this task. (or celebrant if no deacon present)

I would wonder how the altar server would be in the physical position to turn the pages? They shouldn’t be next to the altar like a concelebrant or a deacon.

 

[Brendan]

Both actually but turning pages. I was informed by my priest that only the deacon may do this task. (or celebrant if no deacon present)

Why would that be limited to the clergy?

 

[RosalieM]

Brendan,

I am familiar with meditation and contemplative prayer. I will look into your suggested reading. Thank you.

Why more boys are not eventually entering the priesthood? I think there could be a few reasons other than girls being altar servers.

One reason is that many parents don’t encourage their sons to be priests. I heard a priest mention that some parents discourage sons entering the priesthood because they want grandchildren, for one thing. Another reason could be because somehow the call to vocation isn’t being listened to or can’t be perceived above the racket of the present day. That’s why we’re asked to pray for an increase in vocations.

 

[Brendan]

One reason is that many parents don’t encourage their sons to be priests. I heard a priest mention that some parents discourage sons entering the priesthood because they want grandchildren, for one thing. Another reason could be because somehow the call to vocation isn’t being listened to or can’t be perceived above the racket of the present day. That’s why we’re asked to pray for an increase in vocations.

But that then prompts the question,

Why are those conditions absent or reduced at parishes with all male altarboy cadres?

Do the parents in parishes like mine value grandchildren less?

Why are the boys in my parish, and in the similar parishes in my diocese, more attentive to the call to the priesthood than in your parish?

Could it be that that the presence of girls on their teams distracts them from considering the priesthood?

If so, what would be the solution if your parish desires to foster vocations?

 

[RosalieM]

Brendan,

Yes, the girls would be a distraction for the boys; but the same would hold true for them in school or anywhere else, wouldn’t it?
On the other hand, the camaraderie would be stronger for the all-boy teams. And no, I don’t think there are fewer parents in your parish who would want grandchildren.
As for my parish, sometimes there are no altar servers at the daily mass and an adult member of the laity (male) acts as an altar server. Perhaps the girls are in the ranks because there aren’t enough boy servers.
I think parents might encourage their sons to attend the special retreats that are held to consider entering the priesthood.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Brendan,

I am familiar with meditation and contemplative prayer. I will look into your suggested reading. Thank you.

Why more boys are not eventually entering the priesthood? I think there could be a few reasons other than girls being altar servers.

One reason is that many parents don’t encourage their sons to be priests. I heard a priest mention that some parents discourage sons entering the priesthood because they want grandchildren, for one thing. Another reason could be because somehow the call to vocation isn’t being listened to or can’t be perceived above the racket of the present day. That’s why we’re asked to pray for an increase in vocations.

It would seem to me, and this is just a guess, that the pastor of Brendan’s church is a very big part of the multiple vocations from that parish. Also, another guess on my part is the families of that parish want to belong to that parish because it is very traditional, not necessarily because that is their local parish. In my opinion, that powerful influence from so many people would definitely encourage vocations. At a prayer for vocations once, a seminarian challenged the congregation how many people have ever asked a young man if he considered the priesthood. Not many hands went up. Children are gifts from God waiting for encouragement, and unfortunately in today’s society a lot of encouragement comes from negative sources.
I believe a good pastor who is making the effort to encourage the young men of the parish, altar servers or not, can help foster vocations. If the pastor can encourage the parents in this direction, even better. If the pastor thinks an all male crew would help him to that end, that is fine with me. But most parishes today do not have the numbers of young men to serve every mass. Most parishes have young men who love sports too much. That doesn’t mean they would be bad priests, but it still leaves the Mass Celebration needing servers who are willing to be there.
The Holy Spirit first and foremost calls men to the priesthood. That call combined with a love and respect for his parish priests and pastor would lead that young man to the seminary. A distant unenthusiastic pastor who is the young man’s first point of view of what a priest is would seem to me to do more damage than seeing a girl serve Mass.

 

[anamchara]

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:

I’ve never noticed the boys feeling intimated by the girls. Hardly. Some have just been allowed to be undisciplined in the home. I’m sorry that seems like a ridiculous reason to not allow altar girls…because the boys" will feel bad" that the girls will outshine them? In that case I’d say the boys need to get over it and follow the directions the priest has given so they can do a good job as well.

It takes training and a lot of it and a great deal of confidence building by the trainer and the priest. And more importantly education as to why they are up there in the first place!

 

[majick275]

here is how my parish does it. We use both boys and girls as altar servers but they have different roles. The girls can carry the cross and usually do except for special occasions. They usually carry the candles, assist with the gifts and hold the patens for the EMOHC. they wear white robes. The boys wear different outfits that are the more traditional altar boy garb and always perform all of the tasks that directly assist the priest with the mass. (bringing the water and wine, holding the book, all of the “altar” tasks) This way both boys and girls get to serve and enjoy the spiritual growth that comes from such an active role in worship but the boys perform distinctly different roles that are closely aligned with the priest and thus serves to encourage vocations. we have a couple of seminarians and we have a group of nuns that include some young sisters. we have three men about to complete their 5 year training for the deaconate. I don’t know if this is the best way but it seems to work for us. we have a saturday mass and 4 sunday masses (as well as supporting a sunday mass for a mission) and all are well attended. Our CCD enrollments are high and we have plenty of volunteers for our various ministries. while far from perfect we do okay and mass is a reverent yet joyful occasion in which I worship God with my family and I know he is truly present in the eucharist.

 

[rdemartino]

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

It is my feeling that altar servers should only be males or boys. Being an altar server brings a boy closer to the liturgy and the priest. It’s the starting point of discerning whether or not he may have a vocation to the holy priesthood. I was an altar boy for a short time and it really opened the idea of priesthood to me. The determination of who should be an altar server should not be made to conform to an equal rights movement or opportunity. The church must take the stand it feels it needs to for the good of the church. I feel that many decisions the American bishops make are primarily due to pressure they receive from various groups, and not what’s good for the church.

 

[THurifer2]

And more importantly education as to why they are up there in the first place!

At that reason is to foster a potential vocation to the priesthood.

Study the history of Altar Boys and that is exactly what you will find.

 

[teachccd]

At that reason is to foster a potential vocation to the priesthood.

Study the history of Altar Boys and that is exactly what you will find.

What about older men who go up and serve mostly during the weekday Masses and even at some Sunday Masses?? Is this their discernment for a vocation?? Why don’t we start a new thread regarding old men as altar servers. Never heard a complaint there… teachccd

 

[RobNY]

Although I have no problem with having only males as altar servers, I do wonder if we have our cause and effect mixed up.

It seems to me that a more likely explanation is that those priests who are more likely to enforce an all male server policy are equally as likely to be more tapped into Church tradition, and thus they strongly preach orthodox doctrine and practice. This, and only this, is the fertile ground where vocations are made-- where the faith is taken seriously and proclaimed in all its splendor. Then, and only then, will a policy of all male altar servers be truly fruitful.

-Rob

 

[scylla]

What about older men who go up and serve mostly during the weekday Masses and even at some Sunday Masses?? Is this their discernment for a vocation?? Why don’t we start a new thread regarding old men as altar servers. Never heard a complaint there… teachccd

That is because they are men, which is recommended and consistant with having only boys as altar servers.

It would make no sense to promote altar boys and then contradict that act by having older women serving at the altar. And yes this can be a discernment for a vocation as some older men can serve as Priests or Deacons if they are so called.

The Catholic position on things is always consistant, that is why to deny it is to always have to deny truth. This is why people will get all dodgy with their answers when you ask, are men different from women? Does truth change? Is it part of the female priest agenda to promote altar girls. Were altar girls prohibited in the past and why?

The good and holy thing to do is to support truth, even when it goes against the culture and style. Even when it feels nice or looks nice to do what we want to do instead of what we should do.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[anamchara]

At that reason is to foster a potential vocation to the priesthood.

Study the history of Altar Boys and that is exactly what you will find.

Just because someone is using altar girls doesn’t mean they are not making sure the children are mindful of the importance of vocations. I have my altar servers wearing the traditional black cassocks with white surplice, I brought back into this parish bowing when passing the tabernacle, using the bells, patens, processional candles and my next task is having the gifts brought up. This is a very tiny parish in a rural area which has not even had this ministry in years. I have a hand full of kids. We do our best. Above all my goal has always been to help them understand what is going on in the Mass and the importance. The boys as well as the girls are getting a great deal out of it,equally. Hopefully, my influence will indeed bring about some young man to discern a vocation.

It’s the influence of faithful adults in these children’s lives that make the difference. The answer is not using only boys but getting parents to play a more active role in their children’s faith and having a strong priest for support of these programs.

 

[teachccd]

That is because they are men, which is recommended and consistant with having only boys as altar servers.

It would make no sense to promote altar boys and then contradict that act by having older women serving at the altar. And yes this can be a discernment for a vocation as some older men can serve as Priests or Deacons if they are so called.

The Catholic position on things is always consistant, that is why to deny it is to always have to deny truth. This is why people will get all dodgy with their answers when you ask, are men different from women? Does truth change? Is it part of the female priest agenda to promote altar girls. Were altar girls prohibited in the past and why?

The good and holy thing to do is to support truth, even when it goes against the culture and style. Even when it feels nice or looks nice to do what we want to do instead of what we should do.

God Bless
Scylla

When I was child women were not even allowed in the sanctuary. No women lectors, no women Extraordinary ministers of Holy communion, and no girl altar servers. We also had an altar rail and no one went into the sanctuary unless you were either the priest or the altar boys. We only received Holy Communion on the tongue and only the priest distributed Communion. Women had to wear a headress (veil). There were no youth Masses and there was a high Mass every Sunday. All of the readings were read by the priest. There was no second reading. AND the priest faced the altar.

So…unless we can discuss all of these changes as detrimental then we cannot single out girl altar servers. This is one of the lowest priority items when it comes to gripes. Let’s start with all of the abuses and the fact that most people at Mass don’t even know the basics concerning Mass. They go up to Communion like one would go get a food sample at the mall. Old raggity jeans, flip-flop sandals, old T-shirts, Short shorts or skirts, low cut tops and so on…

When I ask my seventh grade class when it was that they went to Mass last and they can’t even remember or when was the last time they went to confession and they say second grade you can bet your bottom dollar that when a young lady says that she is an altar server I smile. And I smile wide. Wow!! Not only does she go to Mass but her parents find it necessary to get involved. Now to me that’s a breath of fresh air.

We need to look at Church law as opposed to doctrine. Just as the Roman Catholic Church makes exceptions for the ordination of married priests so can we welcome the fervency of these young ladies who walk proud to say I’m Catholic as they carry the Cross or candles to the altar…

That’s my two cents. We have bigger fish to fry…God Bless…teachccd

P.S. My monitor is set high, so when throwing the tomatoes aim high…

 

[scylla]

So by your admission it is something wrong but we have bigger problems.

I agree, we have much bigger problems than just altar girls, we have a loss of reverence, a loss of the understanding of the sacred, etc…

Yet even the little things must be stood up for. Just because I tell a small lie doesn’t make it excusable, then all small lies should be ok because we can tell big lies?

We should seek to be as obedience and extreme in our faithfulness to Christ, not lukewarm. To ignore small things is to be lukewarm. We have had too many years of lukewarm Bishops and Priests.
You don’t get to heaven being lukewarm, but by being extremely faithful, extremely Catholic.

I agree all those changes which lowered the sacredness of the sanctuary, which lowered faithfulness and obedience are bad.

Not all changes are bad such as, seeking to include the laity in their universal call to spreading the faith, forming faith communities, seeking to convert our separated brothers, studying the Bible more, using technology to spread the faith. Full and actual participation in the liturgy by praying, singing and being of one mind, one body. That is what we should be doing.
Not seeking our own glory and attention. Not catering to pride but to obedience to Christ.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[MWPapabear]

I love tradition. It is what reminds us who we are - or at least who we used to be be and how much we have learned. Without saying yea or nay, I will say that my son is the youngest altar server. The head server was excited because he was 1) a he and 2) really excited about serving God and the parish. His server trainer, a graceful and worshipful teenage lady, has taken to his training and supervision with the love of a big sister. All the servers, and they are a 50-50 M/F split, consider themselves a family and fully revere the opportunity to serve. It is a beautiful thing. Because of the visable joy of service on their faces, more of our parish young are coming forward to serve. It is a very good thing. As many time as St Paul addressed the faithful “Brothers and Sisters” is it not time to consider that the way to address the vocation and religious shortage crisis is to encourage our young - in all ways possible, keep the door from slamming on them as they peek in, and allow the children to come to Him.

Again, just my humble opinion. I understand the rubrics, but plain and simple - it’s within the rules. Love to all in this post!

 

[Pat_the_Cat]

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:

Genarally Girls begin to mature much earlier than boys do, although boys mature much quicker, so it turns out that they end up being fully mature around the same time (very general, but in many ways true, I’m sure there are lots of exceptions). But the fact remains that boys and girls mature differently, because males and females ARE different. I don’t think it’s right to expect that boys do certian things as well as girls (or vice versa).

I do agree that ***all ***vocations can be fostered from a serving at the altar.

JOHN PAUL II: GENERAL AUDIENCE: TO ALTAR SERVERS
Wednesday 1 August 2001
5. I have spoken of friendship with Jesus. How happy I would be if something more sprang from this friendship! How beautiful it would be if some of you could discover a vocation to the priesthood! Jesus Christ urgently needs young people who generously make themselves available to him without reserve. Furthermore, might not the Lord also be calling some of you girls to embrace the consecrated life in order to serve the Church and the brethren? Also for those who would like to be united in marriage, an altar server’s service teaches that an authentic union must always include readiness for reciprocal and gratuitous service.

Although I think this ministry ***should ***be used to foster vocations to the priesthood. (My opinion!)

LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO PRIESTS FOR HOLY THURSDAY 2004
6. …dear brother priests, I would ask you, among other initiatives, to show special care for altar servers, who represent a kind of “garden” of priestly vocations. The group of altar servers, under your guidance as part of the parish community, can be given a valuable experience of Christian education and become a kind of pre-seminary. Help the parish, as a family made up of families, to look upon the altar servers as their own children, like “olive shoots around the table” of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life (cf. Ps. 127:3).

But then again, I believe Holy Mother Church, knows what she is doing! Maybe the Holy Spirit knows that it’s important to foster good wives, mothers and religious at this time in history! Especailly if they love and understand the importace of the Eucharist! After all, the number 1 place for fostering vocations to the priesthood is in the home! If we don’t have parents, who love the Mass, encouraging their boys to consider priesthood, then I don’t think we’ll see a rise in vocations any time soon!