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I always wanted to be an altar server
I always wanted to be an altar server. But when I was a kid, only boys were allowed to be altar servers. By the time parishes could have girls as altar servers, it was too late for me. I was a teenager and the thought of marching around in a white robe that would hide my very cool outfits did not really appeal to me. Plus I wasn’t going to be caught dead in an altar server class with a bunch of little kids.
But now, many years later, I still secretly (well, not so secretly anymore) desire to be an altar server.
I thought this dream of mine had escaped me, but going to Mass two weekend ago changed all that. I was in Monroe to see my nuns. On Saturday night we went to church together. There were a bunch of other nuns and friends there so we chit chatted before Mass. Then, like a vision, two women in white albs swooped by on their way to the back of church to begin the opening procession. What??? I was stunned and thought they must be angels for surely they were not altar servers. But they really were altar servers! Wow, I thought, perhaps all is not lost for this dream of mine. I might yet still be an altar server, and get the (now more fashionable) outfit to boot! I beamed at the two women for the whole Mass. I had never seen adult women in albs as altar servers (though I do now know that parishes, especially those in which there are few children available for this ministry, have women servers). They did a great job and brought such a good energy to the Mass. You could tell they were new at it because the lector was constantly pointing out where they needed to be and what they had to do. So anyways, I was very proud of these two women. They helped me remember my dream of old and that it’s never too late!
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My parish only uses children servers for two Masses, and the other three use adults. Like you I never had the chance growing up, so when I found out that our parish needed servers, I jumped at the chance. For some reason it’s really hard to recruit servers and EM’s at this parish.
What’s really sad is that women altar servers (and girls) are being blamed for the vocaion crisis in some quarters. Supposedly we’re taking away vocations from men by “play-acting” as priests. Altar server or no, I suspect what had a bigger role in most priests’ vocations was a family which encouraged and supported the faith.
So if ever you’re in the Seattle area…it’s a great way to learn how much you don’t know about the Mass, and even though I complain some Sundays, I’m thankful I got the chance now.
Never let the dream die, sister.
Amen!
Hi,
I know that this is rather a late reply as this started and stopped in October of 2006, but after reading what you said I felt compelled to respond. So here goes:
I too, as a young girl, had always wanted to be an altar server, but when I was in school, only boys could serve. It wasn’t until many, (many, many) years later, did I see girls as altar servers. That was about 5 years ago, when I was home visiting my mother. That Sunday I went to mass with her, and there, for the first time, I saw girls serving at the altar. I was speechless! I was overwhelmed! How I wanted to tell the young girls how happy I was for them. I wanted them to treasure that gift they had been given.
Then I noticed that some nuns, and lay men and women were also distributing the Eucharist. I wanted to jump up and down! I give thanks every day to God that churches are realizing that women have many gifts to use in God’s service.
God bless, Emily
And to all of you, I pray that this time of Holy Week be filled with opportunities to bring you closer to your Savior. I pray that this Easter be one filled to overflowing with the joy of the resurrection.
i love being an altar server
is is awesome..and i have a feeling God will call me soon!1 i love serving God..it is so impressive…amazing and it is just so fonding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 i love it so much!!!
=shirley-
I’m so glad to hear you find such joy in being an altar server. That’s awesome! Sister J