Women in Traditional Parishes

[TrueLight]

I recently started attending a very traditional parish.

Of course, I do not believe women should be priests, but I noticed there were no:

Women lectors, not even in prayer services outside of mass.
Women who lead the praying of the rosary
Women who pass around the collection baskets.
Women ushers

So I asked about it and I was told, yeah this is a traditional parish. Women are sort of in the background, but it wasn’t said in a sarcastic way.

I didn’t think collecting the offering was a male/female thing.

Is this the way it is in traditional parishes like FSSP/SPPX parishes or any parishes that mostly celebrate the EF?

Thanks.

 

[AnthonyJ]

We have no lectors male or female at the EF Mass I go to. Only the priest does the readings. I thought it was the same at every EF Mass.

 

[TrueLight]

We have no lectors male or female at the EF Mass I go to. Only the priest does the readings. I thought it was the same at every EF Mass.

I think I used the wrong term.

What I meant is anyone who reads, not necessarily the scriptures, but let’s say someone who leads the Litany of Loreto for example, outside of mass, maybe during a prayer service.

 

[Corki]

I am not sure the OP is talking about a parish with the EF Mass or just a more traditional parish.

FWIW, in most parishes the ushers are the same people who pass the collection baskets. I don’t think I have ever been in a parish where that group was not all men - except when I lived in South America and it was the nuns that took up the collection (they didn’t have ushers).

 

[zab]

Apparently when there are enough men to take on those duties there is no need for the women to step up and volunteer.

 

[TrueLight]

I am not sure the OP is talking about a parish with the EF Mass or just a more traditional parish.

FWIW, in most parishes the ushers are the same people who pass the collection baskets. I don’t think I have ever been in a parish where that group was not all men - except when I lived in South America and it was the nuns that took up the collection (they didn’t have ushers).

My impression is that the parish is pretty traditional overall and although both OF and EF are offered, there is a strong emphasis on the EF.

Now, there is another parish I sometimes attend which offers both forms, but I noticed that during daily morning mass (OF), a man and woman collect the offerings.

I guess my question is that in traditional parishes do women not participate at all not only in the mass, but in any other sort of service? I know women are involved in administration and other things in the life of a parish.

 

[TrueLight]

Apparently when there are enough men to take on those duties there is no need for the women to step up and volunteer.

So then primarily the preference is for men to take on any duties that would put women in the public eye?

 

[Will_S]

I recently started attending a very traditional parish.

Of course, I do not believe women should be priests, but I noticed there were no:

Women lectors, not even in prayer services outside of mass.
Women who lead the praying of the rosary
Women who pass around the collection baskets.
Women ushers

So I asked about it and I was told, yeah this is a traditional parish. Women are sort of in the background, but it wasn’t said in a sarcastic way.

I didn’t think collecting the offering was a male/female thing.

Is this the way it is in traditional parishes like FSSP/SPPX parishes or any parishes that mostly celebrate the EF?

Thanks.

In the traditional parish I attend, the people who lead the rosary are all women.

However, there are only men ushers and only men take the collection. But as far as I can tell the group of ushers and collectors is entirely self selected. I’m not aware of any organization. I’m not sure what happen if a woman just decided to stand in the back of the church and greet people. Probably no one would do anything about it.

 

[Cider]

I recently started attending a very traditional parish.

Of course, I do not believe women should be priests, but I noticed there were no:

Women lectors, not even in prayer services outside of mass.
Women who lead the praying of the rosary
Women who pass around the collection baskets.
Women ushers

So I asked about it and I was told, yeah this is a traditional parish. Women are sort of in the background, but it wasn’t said in a sarcastic way.

I didn’t think collecting the offering was a male/female thing.

Is this the way it is in traditional parishes like FSSP/SPPX parishes or any parishes that mostly celebrate the EF?

Thanks.

Although I have no idea if women leading the rosary is a rule or not, but I’ve only seen men leading. But as far as ushers, collection baskets, lectors no I’ve never seen women in those roles at either the FSSP or SSPX.

 

[Monica4316]

In my FSSP parish, the men did all those roles as well, but there were many women in the choir. (actually the choir was mostly all young women).

Somehow …I don’t mind it… I’ve never felt a desire to serve in any ‘visible’ way in the Mass, except perhaps in the choir because I like music. But - I’m content with the men doing the readings, collection basket, etc. I think it is very Mary - like to just pray in the pew

I would not feel comfortable with women being altar servers, giving out Communion, or anything else related to the altar (anyway the EF rubrics don’t allow this)

In the prayers outside of the Mass, - I think the priests have always lead the prayers at my parish… but we didn’t really do litanies and such, just Adoration, Compline, Benediction… as for the readings at Mass, in the EF only the priests do them

God bless

 

[TrueLight]

In the traditional parish I attend, the people who lead the rosary are all women.

However, there are only men ushers and only men take the collection. But as far as I can tell the group of ushers and collectors is entirely self selected. I’m not aware of any organization. I’m not sure what happen if a woman just decided to stand in the back of the church and greet people. Probably no one would do anything about it.

I wonder if women are encouraged to be seen and not heard? Most women in the parish veil, and that in itself makes you less visible. Not to say that’s a bad thing.

 

[TrueLight]

In my FSSP parish, the men did all those roles as well, but there were many women in the choir. (actually the choir was mostly all young women).

Somehow …I don’t mind it… I’ve never felt a desire to serve in any ‘visible’ way in the Mass, except perhaps in the choir because I like music. But - I’m content with the men doing the readings, collection basket, etc. I think it is very Mary - like to just pray in the pew

It’s not that I mind per se. I thought about it yesterday because I was thinking of how I can be of service to a parish during my conversion process. One simple way I thought about was collecting the offering. Although they probably would have to know someone better before entrusting them with money.

But I noticed I didn’t see any women ever collecting in that parish.

I would like to be an active part of any parish, so I was just looking at options.

 

[zab]

So then primarily the preference is for men to take on any duties that would put a women in the public eye?

Traditionally it has been men who are ushers, who also take up the collection. There is no big deal about women leading the rosary. But if a man or men happen to lead it in the parish, that is wonderful. I think that part of the reason things got the way they were in past decades is because many men neglected their duties and many were under the impression that prayer and being devout was for women. Let’s not forget that during all that time of liberalism, feminism, creation theology and new age influence entering the church, it was faithful women who carried the torch offering many prayers and sacrifices and writing letters to their bishops etc.

 

[TrueLight]

Traditionally it has been men who are ushers, who also take up the collection. There is no big deal about women leading the rosary. But if a man or men happen to lead it in the parish, that is wonderful. I think that part of the reason things got the way they were in past decades is because many men neglected their duties and many were under the impression that prayer and being devout was for women. Let’s not forget that during all that time of liberalism, feminism, creation theology and new age influence entering the church, it was faithful women who carried the torch offering many prayers and sacrifices and writing letters to their bishops etc.

Put like that, it’s a wonderful thing that men are more involved in leading the rosary. It has always bothered me that women attend church more than men and generally seem more devout. If men leading the rosary will bring more men into the church, then great.

 

[TrueLight]

Don’ get me wrong. I’m not saying I want to see this:

Women Everywhere

But I would love to be part of some sort of hospitality group that welcomes people into the church or even help with collecting the offering if I felt led or if the leaders of the church were fine with it.

I guess I see myself as having more to offer than a bowed head, veiled in lace.

FYI, I think the hymn in that link is awesome and my choir is actually going to sing that arrangement this Sunday. However, I prefer to not see altar girls. So no, I don’t want to be on the altar.

But I do appreciate seeing the women helping out with the offering.

 

[Will_S]

It’s not that I mind per se. I thought about it yesterday because I was thinking of how I can be of service to a parish during my conversion process. One simple way I thought about was collecting the offering. Although they probably would have to know someone better before entrusting them with money.

But I noticed I didn’t see any women ever collecting in that parish.

I would like to be an active part of any parish, so I was just looking at options.

Most traditional parishes have various societies or confraternities for men and for women which is the usual way of “getting involved” at the parish.

We have, among other things, Knights of Columbus (Men), Legion of Mary (Men & Women, but mostly women), and Parish council (Men & Women). There is also a group of (mostly) women who volunteer to cook some meals for the priests, and a similar group of (mostly) women who help out mothers who have just recently given birth. There is also a home school group (mostly mothers & kids, but a few fathers show up). and so on…

 

[TrueLight]

Most traditional parishes have various societies or confraternities for men and for women which is the usual way of “getting involved” at the parish.

There is also a group of (mostly) women who volunteer to cook some meals for the priests,

Umm yeah. That wouldn’t be me. I’m not crazy about cooking. But I could certainly pick up a meal once a month.

 

[LemonAndLime]

In my FSSP parish, the men did all those roles as well, but there were many women in the choir. (actually the choir was mostly all young women).

Somehow …I don’t mind it… I’ve never felt a desire to serve in any ‘visible’ way in the Mass, except perhaps in the choir because I like music. But - I’m content with the men doing the readings, collection basket, etc. I think it is very Mary - like to just pray in the pew

I would not feel comfortable with women being altar servers, giving out Communion, or anything else related to the altar (anyway the EF rubrics don’t allow this)

In the prayers outside of the Mass, - I think the priests have always lead the prayers at my parish… but we didn’t really do litanies and such, just Adoration, Compline, Benediction… as for the readings at Mass, in the EF only the priests do them

God bless

You are talking about things that are “very Mary” yet you also dismiss female altar servers.

Who served at the altar of Jesus’ sacrifice? The women in Jesus’ life. Including Our Lady.

Therefore I think female altar servers are very appropriate.

 

[Cable]

Umm yeah. That wouldn’t be me. I’m not crazy about cooking. But I could certainly pick up a meal once a month.

If you’re looking to serve the parish, you could always just aske the Pastor where some help is needed. He maybe needs someone to run the once-a-week Bingo or paint the community room or trim up the grounds once in awhile. 'Wouldn’t be glamourous, but it would be job security

 

[Corki]

You are talking about things that are “very Mary” yet you also dismiss female altar servers.

Who served at the altar of Jesus’ sacrifice? The women in Jesus’ life. Including Our Lady.

Therefore I think female altar servers are very appropriate.

This is the Traditional Catholicism subforum. The traditional history of service at Mass has been to have male altar servers only. The option to include females is a very new addition. It’s not “dismissive” to prefer the traditional over an innovatation, especially in the Traditional Catholicism forum.