Article – Altar Servers

I have been asked recently about having girls serve at Mass. Since the shrine began we have not had a direct request for this, but we have been encouraging boys and young men to serve. The practice of female servers is allowed and Pope Francis recently even granted that women could be installed officially as acolytes. But it remains the case that a Pastor, or Rector, can determine the policy for their local church.

This is a sensitive issue because it touches on the dignity and rights of women, Sacramental Theology, and the feelings of young girls who do not fully understand all the issues involved. I would like to give a few simple reflections over the coming weeks to explain why I believe it is more appropriate to have male altar servers. Please feel free to let me know your own opinion.

To begin we should recall that God made us male and female and for an important, sacramental reason. This means our bodies have a symbolic meaning. The Bible is clear that, metaphorically speaking, God was the husband of His bride Israel. In fulfillment if this, Jesus is the Bridegroom of His spouse the Church.

Saint John Paul II called the Eucharist the Sacrament of the bride and the bridegroom. Although God is Spirit, in His human nature His body is male to show that He is the source in relation to creation. In general, maleness reflects the active and femaleness the passive or receptive.

In the Liturgy, signs and symbols are very important in manifesting the spiritual realities that are taking place. For example, the priest acts in persona Christi, in the person of Christ, and therefore it is appropriate that a male fulfill this role.

To be continued…

— Fr. Peter