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Equality at the Altar
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Posted by lydia Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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1 response 0 comments     Ariana Quiñonez was always fascinated by the work performed by the altar servers during Mass.

“I wanted to be an altar server since I was little. I wasn’t sure how to get started until I read it in the church program,” Ariana said. “I just thought it would be really cool to be up there on the altar and it looked like fun.”

 Such a role was always a possibility for Ariana, who grew up attending church after Pope John Paul II’s 1994 decision to allow girls to join the previously all-boy ranks of  altar servers. 

Ariana, now 15, was 12 when she began as an altar server at St. Joseph’s Church in Bakersfield. It was not as difficult to become one as  she thought. She participated in a one-day training session and then began serving.

Allowing girls to be altar servers was a significant change for the church. “The church here in the U.S. thought being an altar server would be a good experience for girls as well as boys,” said Monsignor Anthony Janelli, director of vocations and the office of worship at the Diocese of Fresno, which oversees the Catholic parishes in Kern County.

According to Janelli, altar servers must be baptized Catholic, have made their First Communion and regularly attend Mass.

There is no age limit for altar service and the decision is usually left to the parish, said Monsignor Ronald Swett of St. Phillips Church in Bakersfield.


“Part of the fear of allowing girls to serve in the past was that many priests were at one time altar servers,” Swett said. “Being an altar server sometimes sparks the want to be priest in someone and currently women can’t. I think that is why the church might have been hesitant.”

Swett said that now allowing girls to become altar servers is a way of recognizing the gifts of young women and the equality of girls and boys.

Being an altar server also allows the young Catholics to better understand their faith, added Janelli.

“I think being an altar server helps the children learn more about the church,” Janelli said. “I think it is a basic reality that something becomes more real to you when it becomes a matter of action as well as thought.”

Ariana said she was thrilled to be able to serve the church from the altar.

“I am still learning and it is really hard,” Ariana said.

At St. Phillips, the ratio of boy to girl altar servers is about 50/50, Swett said.

“The boys and girls basically perform the same duties,” he said. “I don’t really remember, but there might have been early resistance to having girls as altar servers when they first started being allowed to serve.”

Swett said that originally the church did not allow girls to be altar servers because  the society was male-driven and because being an altar server was considered a step toward the priesthood.

Ariana said the first time she served on the altar she was anxious because she felt all eyes were on her.

“Now I know what I am doing and I am no longer scared,” she said.

As a matter of fact, she is now helping out her younger sister, 8-year-old Elisa
Quiñonez, who started as an altar server in September.

“I usually bring the candles,” she said. “I wanted to be an altar server because I saw my sister doing it.”

Both of the sisters serve at the 11 a.m. Mass.

“I think having me up there makes my sister feel more comfortable,” Ariana said.

The girl’s mother, Lupe Quiñonez, said she was thrilled when she learned her daughters wanted to be altar servers.

“I think it is a good experience for them,” said the wife and mother of three. “I think allowing girls to be altar servers was a good change. One that allows them to learn about their religion.”

Ariana agrees.

“I now know why we do things,” she said. “Before I didn’t understand why the bells were rung and why other things were done but now I do.”

Ariana said she would like to see more girls be altar servers.

“I want to tell them that if they are thinking about it to try it out,” she said. “It is not something to be afraid of and it allows you to feel more involved in church.”


DUTIES BEFORE MASS
• Altar servers change into a robe.
• Prepare glasses to be used during service.
• Fill one glass with wine from the altar wine supply. Fill the other glass with cold fresh water from the tap.
• Place the prepared chalice, filled glass, washing bowl, towels and any extra chalices required on the credence table.
• Five minutes to Mass time a server should light all appropriate candles.

DUTIES DURING MASS
• In a procession, the cross-bearers will lead the procession into and from the sanctuary. After entering the sanctuary the cross-bearer will bow to the tabernacle (altar if tabernacle is at a side altar) and then proceed to place the cross in its stand, normally facing the priest.
• The candle-bearers follow the cross-bearer in procession and bow to the tabernacle (altar if tabernacle is at a side altar).
• All servers will then proceed to their assigned locations, bow facing the tabernacle from their assigned positions with the priest and the deacon. If the tabernacle is on a side altar face the tabernacle when bowing.
• When the prayer begins, “Glory to God in the Highest prayer,” the appointed server will pick up the small sacramentary (book of prayers) and wait for the priest to say, “Let us pray.” When the priest says, “Let us pray,” server will proceed directly in front of the priest and open the book to the pre-marked position. Hold the book open so the priest can read the prayer. When the priest is finished, the server will close the sacramentary, return it to its place and sit down in their assigned position for the readings.
• Also, a server will remove the tops from the wine and water glasses and hand the deacon or priest the wine or water as he directs. The server will stand until the deacon or priest is finished.

After the offering:
• A single server will unfold the wash towel and place it over the least used arm. A server will also approach the altar and pour the water over the priest's hands collecting the water in the bowl. A server will neatly arrange the glasses, towel, and bowl on the table.

Bell ringing:
• Three times is done in some parishes in honor of the Trinity; bells rung three distinct times for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. . .

Closing Prayers:
• All sit until the priest says: "Let us pray." If a server is assigned to hold the prayer book, the server will proceed directly in front of the priest and open the prayer book to the proper page. When the priest is finished, close the sacramentary and return it to its stand.
• All servers should then be standing in their assigned positions and follow along with the people.

Exit Procession:
• Cross-bearer should pick up the processional cross. All servers then turn and proceed quickly to their procession positions. All processions are always in order of rank. Cross bearer first, then candle bearers, other servers, lector, extra-ordinary ministers, deacons, priests, bishops, cardinals, the pope.

DUTIES AFTER MASS
• Extinguish the candles by using the proper tool.
• Return liturgical clothing.
• Clean up any mess made on the credence and preparation tables.
• Remove all notes and papers from the sanctuary and pulpit and place them where directed.

Information from http://www.thesacredheart.c...

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