Holy Thursday 2008: Altar Boy Rehearsal Session

I was able to capture some pictures from the altar boy rehearsal for this evening's Holy Thursday vigil, with Fr. Perrone's permssion. Now, you will see the priests in some minimal vestments here so they could practice the vestment changes for liturgical events tonight.

This is a bit of a switch. We are looking at more "behind the scenes" to see how things are done at Assumption Grotto. I can't be there for everything, but had attempted to capture an altar boy rehearsal for a couple of years now.

I got there at Noon when the boys began their rehearsal with the priests, MC and others assisting. The boys range in age from about 8 on up to young adult men. I left after two hours and they were still going strong. It was all business, very focused and the youngest were manly in their attentiveness and behavior. This is not for wimps. I am impressed by the level of maturity the young show. But, they are not "babied" or treated like they can't learn, and nothing is dumbed-down. They are given tasks to do and they learn them.

I hope to bring you more photos in the coming days, but with so much going on, it is not a sure bet that I will get them out as rapidly. Just keep checking back.

Be there tonight for this Holy Thursday vigil. Assumption Grotto typically has a full house for it and it is not an obligatory Mass. Get there early. If you have been coming for many years, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised with some changes that have taken place, especially following the Mass during adoration. Adoration runs until Midnight.

Finally, a shot of the altar of repose, where we will adore Our Lord until Midnight.

"My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." (Mt 26:38).

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

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Altar Boy Program - Post 3: Headed by the Pastor

Practice session for Easter Season headed by Fr. Perrone
Photo by Jeff Williams - 2007.

I'm continuing with my discussion of why I believe the altar boy program at Assumption Grotto enjoys such good participation. I posted it yesterday, and have modified the date to 6/17/2007 to bump it back to the top of the blog again. Do note that comment moderation is turned on.

Here is our list again with links to the first and second posts.

1. All Male Program.


2. Masculinity of Discipline and Precision Required


3. Headed by the Pastor


4. Liturgically traditional parish with orthodoxy in doctrine


5. Strong Catholic identity within the family


6. Large homeschooling population

I've already established how and why Assumption Grotto can have an all male program in my first post. I spoke about the masculinity of it all in my second post. Now, in this third segment of the series, I want to bring to light that in this program, men are leading men.

3. Program Headed by Pastor

At the very top of this program is Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone. While lay men who are seasoned veteran servers of the altar assist the pastor in directing the boys, we all know who heads the program. It is not a lay led program, and it involves more than what is seen.

The seasoned veterans make sure it runs smoothly and handle all those details that may not be so well known to the less experienced, such as on special feast days.

In the photo above along with Fr. Perrone and some of the newer altar boys, is one of those adults who ordinarily works as a master of ceremonies at Saturday evening liturgies, at Masses during Holy Week, and at the 7:00 pm outdoor mass on August 15. He dresses in altar server attire - cassock and surplice, and can sometimes be seen giving the young men subtle cues. He also directs traffic in a subtle, but dignified manner during big processions where several hundred people are involved. A good MC can make it all run smooth and not draw any more attention to himself than is needed by those to whom he gives cues.

Practice session for Easter Season headed by Fr. Perrone
Photo by Jeff Williams - 2007.

AREA OF DEVELOPMENT

I've witnessed several things about the development of altar boys at Grotto since May 2005 when I first came to Grotto.

1. Tools and Actions


2. Behavioral


3. Spiritual

Photos of the bells used during Elevation and Benediction.
Taken during Christmas season 2006

A. Tools and Actions

Long before any Mass begins, altar boys are there at church preparing everything that is needed, from layout out of vestments to setting out all that will be needed during the liturgy. All of this "know-how" takes training in what to put out, and when. They learn terms like "thurible" or "censor" and "corporal"

This task is done with utmost care for the fact that they do so in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle directly in the center of the wall altar in the sanctuary. Which leads us into the next point.

Torchbearers processing in at the beginning of the 7:00pm outdoor Mass on August 15, 2006.
Photo by Jeff Williams.

B. Behavioral Development

This is somewhat redundant to my last post, but bears a revisit.

Behavior among altar boys during holy Mass is striking when one first encounters it because of what it lacks: A casual, lax attitude. It goes to the self-discipline I talked about in my previous post. Their work is also done in complete silence with visible reverence. Granted, this is also the kind of behavior in most parishioners at Grotto. The culture itself embraces total silence in Church and full attention on God, not each other. But, boy do we ever socialize outside of the Mass the way I've never experienced in any parish before. That's another subject.

The strut of the boys is one that is not proud, but humble. Their hands are clasped in prayer even when they walk - palm on palm, finger-tip on finger-tip, held at about a 30 degree angle. As I've mentioned before when they walk, they walk slowly. Their heads are not bobbing about, looking up at the ceiling or at friends in the pews. Each time they pass the Tabernacle, They pause, then they genuflect unless they are carrying something. Instead, they make a profound bow facing Our Lord. When they have something in hand, the free hand is always covering their heart - yet another sign of reverence and respect for that which they do and for Whom it is done.

When we look at an eight-year old boy outside of Mass - a pure bundle of unreserved energy, it is truly amazing to see him control that energy by himself through self-discipline serving on the altar. The boys mature more quickly in my humble opinion through all that they learn in serving. The youngest boys are the torchbearers and watching them first learn all of the behaviors needed as such, is one to make anyone proud of their efforts and accomplishments. I've seen a desire to do it right and do it good, with full focus on what they are doing. It is, after all, a rite of passage. This is what the young, new boys do.

There is a natural progression for the young men. They learn simple things and simple motions first, then as they mature, they get more responsibility and move from the simple to the more complex, like knowing what to do on special feast days or when a bishop or cardinal comes. Some will go on to train others. Their behavior exhibits the fullness of teamwork.

Altar boys bowing during the Credo at "...et incarnatus est..." -
Photo by Jeff Williams, August 15, 2006 at the 7:00pm outdoor Mass.

C. Spiritual Development

Behavior goes to more than how they appear on the altar. It's an interior thing, as well. While no boy is perfect, priests take the time to teach them to lead virtuous and God-pleasing lives. These things will take them far down the road in being good husbands and fathers, as well as good priests and religious, for those that are called.

There is a spiritual side to being an altar boy at Grotto. It's not simply about the precision, the mechanics and discipline of the job. These things they can get on a ball field.

Altar boys have regular retreats through the parish. Sometimes it will be onsite, other times offsite with other activities. Many of these retreats are silent retreats, or at least have periods of silence built in, which once again goes to building self-discipline. However, it involves something far deeper.

Holy silence is where we not only talk to God, it is where we can finally listen to Him. If our minds are always cluttered with talk, then how can we hear the Lord's gentle admonishments and lessons? How can he order charity in our hearts if we cannot learn to be silent for a time so that we may hear His voice above all others, including our own? This is what the priests help to teach the boys.

Our priests also teach the boys to live according to the Gospel through solid understanding of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and they encourage frequent confession. It is good that priests of our parish encourage everyone, not only altar boys, to go frequently, even in the absence of serious sin, to build virtue.

Eucharistic adoration is encouraged, as is Marian devotion - things that when I was growing up in the 70's and 80's were discouraged if only by their lack of emphasis.

The spiritual dimension of the altar boy program is what can enable a young man to hear if God is calling him to the priesthood. Should he sense that call, Father is not some distant figure on the altar, but a priest in the sacristy with whom he can confide and talk with on such matters. As an altar boy, he witnesses first-hand, the seriousness and reverence with which Father vests for Mass. He witnesses the stoic manner in which Father deals with tremendous heat in an unairconditioned church wearing full vestments, including amice fully covering any sign of street clothes at the neck, all the while building stamina himself as he too dons the cassock and surplice. The lesson is simple and one unheard of in many of today's Catholic parishes: Offer it up! He witnesses the work of the priest in ways that are unseen to the average faithful. He sees Father's devoutness. He sees Father's humanity. Being close to a holy priest is what can lead a young man to aspire, if he is called, to the priesthood.

All of this, is perhaps why we see in parishes like Assumption Grotto, vocation rates that are higher than the average diocesan parish. Vocations are flourishing in parishes where there are all-male programs and where orthodoxy in docrine, prayerlife, and family life are the rule. It is mind-boggling why any diocese would not encourage more of the same in other parishes if they want more vocations.

Altar boys in the background raising candles as they sing, "Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!" before the big Marian procession on August 15, 2006

One thing that struck me profoundly happened following the 9:30am Mass one Sunday. I happened to be in the sacristy when the boys returned following Mass and all lined up as so silently you could hear a pin drop and with an appearance of anticipation for something still unknown to me at the moment. I wondered what was going on when the priest, taking up the rear, came in and all of the boys dropped down to one knee and the priest gave them a blessing. Then, all worked relatively silently putting away the tools and vestments. It's a simple thing, but how many priests do this today? In how many sacristies are there altar servers working silently with hardly a peep after Mass, putting everything back in its place?

Behavior Outside of Mass: Boys Becoming Men

From a spiritual standpoint, the altar boys do much outside of the Mass, as well. They are often doing work behind the scenes, helping out when there are various things going on from clothing drives to various other social events, and ordinary labor around the parish. While these things may not all be arranged as part of the altar boy program, it goes to what they learn in not turning a blind eye to those things that need to be done. Many of them run to the work when they see it, as opposed to running the other way. My experience with many of them is that they want to be helpful. I've been on the receiving end of "ad hoc" help many times when one or more of them saw the need. I've witnessed the same as they help others. One could argue that it is more a function of good home life and parenting. I won't argue with that at all because I believe that is the case. But I also believe it has something to do with their development as altar boys too. I see boys developing into men - mature men, much sooner in my parish than I ever experienced before coming to Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit.

Deo Gratias!

Altar Boy Program - Post 2

We continue with our discussion of the altar boy program at Assumption Grotto, and my theories for why it enjoys significant participation. In yesterday's introductory post to this series, I provided a list along with some necessary background information (click the first link in the list for that post).

I apologize for the length of these posts, but there is truly much to be said about each of these areas. I'll try to slow posting to allow you time to disgest what is here - barring breaking news. I also have more Easter photos to go through, but a glitch in my computer is holding me up.

I invited participation in the comment boxes of these posts - but asked that those comments go in the related posts - some not yet written.

I've jumbled the order a little, as I began to see that one subject will lead into the next.

1. All Male Program.
2. Masculinity of Discipline and Precision Required
3. Headed by the pastor; priestly involvement
4. Liturgically traditional parish with orthodoxy in doctrine
5. Strong Catholic identity within the family
6. Large homeschooling population

2) Masculinity of Discipline and Precision Required

While the pictures I take show interesting formations by the altar boys, there are many things that cannot be conveyed in photos. There is an air of discipline to what they do and there is a high level of precision. When you realize that some of these boys are just 7 or 8 years of age and see them exercise this discipline and precision for an hour or hour-and-a-half, as in the Latin Novus Ordo, it's all the more amazing. It also goes to show that such an age is not too young to learn discipline and precision.

Example of a Poorly Catechized & Trained Altar Server

I was recently at another parish in which there was a single, male altar server. In the processional, he walked with a hip strut, his head bobbing around as he nodded and winked at people he knew along the way. Throughout the readings he looked up and around, visibly distant from what was taking place. Just before heading into the Eucharistic Prayer, he turned to look at his family behind him and began to giggle and shrug his shoulders, as they too laughed. After the great Amen, he rose from his knees and continued to look back a few more times. It must have been an inside joke because no one else was laughing.

The only reason I noticed this activity is that it was distracting since he was right at the center of action. The boy was about 16. I wasn't upset with him, but pitied the young man because he was not taught properly. He was also functioning in a parish where people - the assembly, is still central. This boy did not understand that in the presence of the Holy of Holies, all things should point to His centrality, not ours. This means, removing any action that would take people's focus from Our Lord during the Mass to humans - be it the priest or anyone else in the Sanctuary. I humbly offered my Communion for him, the pastor, and the people of the parish and asked the Lord to "forgive the boy as he knows not what he does".

Discipline and Focus in Assumption Grotto's Atlar Boys

The first thing I noticed two years ago about the altar boys with regards to discipline is that they are focused. This means, they do not look detached from what is going on (the very young may not look as focused, but I had no idea a 7 or 8 year old could even look that attentive during the Mass).

The young men look straight ahead when walking and when sitting for the most part. They do not stare at the ceiling. They do not look at or acknowledge people they know in the pews, or other such behavior. Their demeanor mimics that of the priest who is intensely focused and seriously prayerful as the Mass, and procession begin. It's a reminder of where we should be - in deep prayer, not in a greeting mode. That belongs in the social hall following Mass for those who love their neighbor enough to do so.

Visible in Display of Reverence

The walk of experienced altar boys is slow and dignified, especially when walking around the sanctuary. They have been taught before Whom they walk and it shows in how they carry themselves. Once again, the exception is some of the very young who might dart kind of fast, which always catches the eye. The experienced ones often pass unnoticed with their slow movements. In just two years, I've seen young boys mature in this regard.

They do not pass the Tabernacle without genuflecting before Our Lord, even if this means many genuflections in a matter of minutes, such as when preparing the altar or lighting candles. There are no exceptions, other than when they are carrying something which makes it too difficult or awkward to genuflect, at which time they offer a profound bow.

When the altar boys depart from helping the priest, they step back (in unison if more than one), and they make a profound bow before the priest and he returns a slight bow. Incense, used weekly at the Latin Novus Ordo, also provides an opportunity to see the slow, disciplined cadence of the altar boys at work. Even as they incense the congregation, they bow and the people bow back (thought lately, the congregation seems to be "off" by rising before the young men actually get to the opening in the rail). They incense and bow again and the people return the bow.

Discipline in Behavior

Being an altar boy at Assumption Grotto takes serious self-discipline and self-control. They are there early - at least 15 minutes. But I've seen many getting there 30-45 minutes before Mass prepping things, and sitting or kneeling out in the Sanctuary - doing pre-Mass prayers, etc.

Self-discipline includes being worthy to receive Communion and honoring the 1 hour fast. It is not uncommon to see some lined up taking advantage of pre-Mass Confession. Priests at my parish, like the CCC, encourage everyone, but especially altar boys, to make frequent confessions even in the absence of serious sin. It builds holiness in life.

I hope I have not misrepresented our altar boys as less than human. I do not intend to make them appear as saints. Parishioners have told me "stories" - leaving out names of course, of just how serious discipline is at the altar. The boys are convinced our beloved pastor, Fr. Perrone, has eyes in the back of his head, but consider that he is sometimes in the loft chanting during masses he does not celebrate (and being in the loft with him - shooting photos or singing with the choir, I can assure you he doesn't go out of his way to "catch" anything as he is usually praying). But, if an altar boy is caught laughing and giggling during Mass, he may very well earn himself a suspension. With most of the parish's boys in the program, getting suspended is the equivalent of a ball player getting benched. However, I have never gotten the impression that there is fear in any of the young men. Rather, they know this is serious business and it's most visible in the more seasoned and mature. Some go on to serve in adulthood.

Is all of this too rigid? Hardly! There is a time for laughter and goofing around (Fr. Perrone is not some stern figure, incapable of laughs and games. Rather, they are meant for the church hall and not for the church). It is on the altar that the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ is confected. At any one time, the boys are just mere feet from Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. They are taught to respect the Real Presence in ways I never was. Now, these disciplined boys teach me about discipline and reverence. Their actions had me "see" my sloppy stance (yeah, I was once the lady with my arms suspended on the back of the pew like it was a park bench). Their genuflecting had me looking closer at my own irreverence. In the end, what I discovered about my behavior in Church led me to realize that I myself did not get it before I came to Grotto. It is OUR LORD up there. The disciplined behavior of these fine young men teaches us this.

When there is interior reverence, it is manifested in exterior reverence! That reverence stems from knowing before Whom we stand, walk, and kneel.

Precision in Execution

The boys are very knowledgeable about tools of the trade and of actions that need to be performed. Dressed in cassock and surplice, they line up from smallest to tallest. Cross and candles are carried in the opening procession, as is incense when it is being used.

Formations are a real site to see. As the Sanctus is being sung, 5 boys enter the Sanctuary - 3 from one side - 2 from the other, and they cross paths in a beautifully choreographed manner. One will be handling the thurible with incense. There's no thinking involved, it is just second nature to them, but from afar - oh so beautiful. It signifies the grace of the moment. The smaller boys come out holding red-glass candle holders suspended on poles (see the photo at top). As the bells are rung signaling the entry into the most sacred part of the Eucharistic Prayer, one of the older 5 boys will rise, genuflect, then proceed up the steps to take hold chasuble from behind. As the Body and Blood of Christ are elevated, the chasuble is lifted as the thurifer swings the thurible. Elevation is prolonged as bells ring out and incense rises upward with the smell of sweetness reminding us that our worship is pleasing to God.

In processions - including those outdoors - there are often two thurifers. As they process, one will be turned towards the Blessed Sacrament, walking backwards, while swinging the thurible three times. He then turns forward, and the other thurifer turns around, walks backward, and does the same. This process repeats itself over and again.

Corpus Christi 2006

The Masculinity of it All

This kind of discipline - self and group discipline, as well as the precision, is masculine. It's not only manly for the young men who participate, but for the men who come to Mass. As a female, I am also more comfortable with the power, the strength, the majesty and the awe of it all.

I have read articles about how men are largely absent in the pews in contrast to females these days. I recall all too vividly when, in my childhood parish, the Stations of the Cross were taken down, and in their place were hung these paganistic, metal "pansies". Potpourri took the place of candles and felt banners adorned every corner. Gold, silver and brass was ousted in favor of wood, wicker and clay. Thankfully, the current pastor of that parish fixed those things quickly when he came into the parish (along with several other things which needed fixing). Is it any wonder why there are fewer men involved at church when all things liturgical have been emasculated?!?

The actions of the boys is much like what we would see in sports or in military exercises (but, there is no "marching" and movements are more humble in nature). This, I believe, is one factor making it appealing to boys. As I've said before, this is their "baby". They own it!

While they are at the center of action, they know they are not to be the center of attention. In the beginning when you first come to Grotto, it is so unusual to witness their activity that it does initially become a distraction. But something happens after being around it for awhile. Their disciplined, cadenced motions cause them to fade from our awareness, unlike the actions of the young man who was seen giggling at the service of the altar in the opening of my post.

For me, it is this unchanging element that allows them to fade into the backdrop of the liturgy. During the Elevation, they enhance my experience by silently gracing the scene with their profound display of adoration. The "wall" and near pyramid-like formation they make at solemn events reminds me that Our Lord is not only the Source of our life, but the Summit!

Witnessing the altar boys at work at Assumption Grotto lifts my soul to grasp what is taking place. It all says, "Holy, Holy, Holy!"

Altar Boy Program - Post 1

I could not surpass the beauty of this Good Friday 2006 Photo in 2007! It remains my lead photo when discussing altar boys at Grotto.

In the comment box of the linked post, Andrew St. Hilaire asks about the Assumption Grotto altar boy program and how we managed to get so many involved. It's a frequent question. It's a good opportunity to explore this question more openly. I'll invite others to offer thoughts via the combox. I ask everyone to remember: Charity in all things.

This will have to be broken up into multiple posts made over time. If you choose to comment, try to keep it within the context of each post I make, which will be based on the list below. If you think my list could be expanded, please let me know in the combox and I'll consider adding it as another point of discussion in a future post. For now, lets keep discussion confined up to Point-1.

SIMPLE STATS TO KEEP IN MIND
Approximate number of families at Assumption Grotto: ~800
Approximate number of altar servers: ~65

Anyone who has seen the average family at Assumption Grotto knows that 700 or 800 families at this parish is like 2000+ families at some other parishes. Why? Come to the 9:30am Latin Novus Ordo, and the Noon Mass on one Sunday and look at the families. While you are at it follow the crowds to the social that takes place weekly and buy a hamburger or hot dog. It is a parish which has heeded the sermons of it's pastor and priests to be open to life. Contraception is considered a sin not something to fluff off (and for those who do not know - things like the pill are actually abortifacients!). While the culture at Grotto can be very open to life, Our Lord may only bless a couple with one or two children. I've seen some of those couples adopt more children who were in need of loving families.

What is above answers the first part of Andrew's question of how many families we have. As you can see, with many large families, there is a very large pool of young men.

HOW DO WE GET SO MANY INVOLVED?
I have no scientific data to back up my beliefs in why so many young men serve at the altar at Assumption Grotto. Therefore, I can only offer my theories, based on observations over a 2 year period. I may edit this over time with additional thoughts, or I may simply add them into the combox. Here is a brief list, which I will be expanding on.

1. All Male Program.
2. Masculinity of Discipline and Precision Required
3. Liturgically traditional parish with orthodoxy in doctrine.
4. Strong Catholic identity within the family
5. Headed by the pastor; priestly involvment.
6. Large homeschooling population

Now, let me tackle these one at a time.

1) All Male Altar Server Program

I know this will ruffle some feathers, especially from parents whose daughters faithfully serve each week in parishes across the US. In no way do I want to diminish or criticize the work that they do. In no way do I want to say that girls are incapable of serving as this would be silly. Some have a weak argument of girls fluffing their hair during Mass, but I've seen boys at other parishes staring at the ceiling and cracking grins at people they know in the congregation. So, the hairfluffing thing isn't the reason for me. Rather, it comes back to two simple principles in my mind: A) All male priesthood and, B) boys and girls develop differently and I believe opportunities for male bonding are beneficial.

For the record, I consider myself a feminist - a new kind of feminist and I know I'm not alone. I am the kind of feminist who asserts my right to a feminine identity and who believes that God made man and woman with unique and distinct gifts which compliment each other. I have no desire to do all that a man can do because I am a female. I am the kind of feminist who was taught by popular Catholic culture in the 70's and 80's to shun all things Marian, but who now asserts my right to have the Blessed Mother as a model. I am a Marian Feminist!

Let's get a few other things out of the way.....

All Male Altar-Server Programs are the Norm

Many mistakenly believe that having girls serve at the altar during Holy Mass is the norm. It may be common, but it is not the norm. This is easy to understand given the vast number of dioceses and parishes which use them. In March of 1994, a letter was issued from the Congregation of Divine Worship, giving bishops permission to authorize the use of female altar servers in their dioceses. In July of 2001, Prot. N.2451/00/L was issued by former Prefect of the CDW, Jorge Cardinal Medina Estevez, further clarifiying that 1994 letter. In it, he explains that a bishop may "permit service at the altar by women within the boundaries of the territory entrusted to his care." I don't know about anyone else who reads this document, but it seems to me to convey that female altar servers should be the exception, not the rule.

Furthermore, Cardinal Medina Estevez states that priests cannot be "required" to admit women to serve and that men and boys should not be in any way exluded. He goes on to discuss the link between noble sevice at the altar and priestly vocations. Recall that this all began with the March 1994 letter - a time when I have vague recollection of feminists rejoicing over an apparent opening of a door. However, my next background point in this discussion is the sound of that door slamming shut - for good. It came only two months later.

All Male Priesthood

In May 1994, Pope John Paul II released the Apostolic Letter to the Bishops, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (on reserving priestly ordination to men alone). In that letter, the Pope explains very eloquently, that not even he, nor the Church, has the ability to authorize women to the priesthood. In a 1995 Responsum ad Dubium letter, Prefect of the CDF, Cardinal Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict XVI - clarified that the Pope's letter belongs to the Deposit of Faith and requires definitive assent (in other words, it's no longer open for "dialogue").

Why do I raise this point? Because I believe that some who were promoting the notion of women priests long before that apostolic letter was issued may have saw the altar girl issue as a stepping stone from the bottom up. Why? Because serving at the altar had always been considered a place where young men could discern if God was calling them to the priesthood.

Back to the Point

This makes point 1 of 5 in my list easy to explain now. While the Archdiocese of Detroit permits the use of altar girls, Fr. Perrone - exercising his right as pastor of the place - chooses to use only males in his program. In the two years that I have been there, I have never heard one girl complain or even express a desire to serve.

I can't speak for any other parishioner or priest at my parish, but I believe very strongly, that if girls were admitted, the boys would lose interest very quickly. Why? It's not because they are prejudiced or biased. It just is. This thing is their baby and they command control of it in a highly disciplined way with precision (which I'll discuss in more detail in my next post). There is male bonding going on and only a fool would suggest otherwise. Furthermore, "Father" is not some distant guy "up there" on the altar, but someone they get to know. It is here that they get a closer look at priestly prayer and liturgical life and where the seeds of vocation can first begin to grow if it is the will of God.

As Cardinal Medina Estevez rightly pointed out in that 2001 letter, "it is perhaps helpful to recall that the non-ordained faithful do not have a right to service at the altar, rather they are capable of being admitted to such service by the Sacred Pastors"

Vocations

And, what about vocations? Grotto is yielding vocations - male and female. There are young men in various stages of the path to ordination - diocesan and religious order. There are young men - not yet old enough to depart who are discerning. But, there are also young women discerning religious life. So, an all male altar boy program can't possibly discourage male and female vocations. Rather, I think it is one factor out of many enhancing it. I think other items in our list have as much to do with a steady vocation rate as they do with significant involvement in the altar boy program.

In another nearby parish which uses male-only servers - Sts Cyril & Methodius - they too have a very large program involving over 100 boys and they have a solid vocation rate. I can't speak about their numbers, but someone can offer that in the combox - without getting into personal info of these young men.

I would also like to hear from others who are aware of parishes with large all male altar server programs. Are there vocations coming from those involved?

I'll continue in a subsequent post with my second point in the list.

Altar Boy Practice - in Photos

Due to circumstances in my family and a need to rest up a little, I have not edited any other photographs thus far. It was quite late when I got home and made dinner. I finally finished cleaning the kitchen around 9:30 and went to bed shortly after.

But, in my inbox, droped the photos below. Thanks to fellow parish photographer and altar boy dad, Jeff Williams, we have a glimpse into one of the altar boy practice sessions held by Fr. Perrone. By the looks of the Church, this must have been the Friday evening practice because the Sanctuary has early signs of floral development.

The Altar Boy program is one with priestly involvement, and one where the more experienced help the less experienced.