Q: I’m emailing with a liturgical/pastoral question. I’m on pastoral year as a seminarian this year and have been tasked with training altar servers. In the fifth grade class, we have several non-Catholics (I know one is baptized Presbyterian, not sure about the others). My gut told me that they should not be allowed to serve, and I told them so, but when asked to give a reason, I floundered and said something about needing to be in communion with the Church.
I want to speak to these students again in order to apologize if they felt rejected, but then give solid reasons (if there are any) for the prohibition.
The way I see it, we have three tiers of students: 1) Catholics, 2) Baptized non-Catholic Chistians, 3) non-baptized people. The line, I think, is easy to draw at the non-baptized. Your article here says, by my reading, that it would be unfitting for the non-baptized to serve. Great. Does the same logic apply to those who are baptized, but not in full communion with the Church? I’ve thought about this much, and could go into detail, but I need not weigh down the question with my musings. In short: Should non-Catholics be allowed to serve at Mass? And what suggestions do you have for explaining this to a fifth grader?
We have plenty of Catholic students willing and able to serve and reasons of “letting everyone participate” seem off track to me. I don’t want to be close-minded, so your advice in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Three more notes: 1) I have been talking with the pastor about this and he mentioned that it would be a good thing for me to reach out and ask others what they think. 2) Non-baptized people have served in the past, but I have yet to see it, as far as I know, while I have been here. 3) I know there may not be any hard and fast rubric for this kind of discussion which makes it more difficult, but please offer what you can.
Thank you!
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A: Regarding unbaptized servers, we have new legislation from the USCCB going into effect December 1—the revised National Statutes on Christian Initiation. Look at Norm 11 here: https://www.usccb.org/resources/USCCB%20NSCIA%20Canon%208%20Promulgated%20Decree%20English%20Text%20FINAL%2004252024.pdf . It says catechumens cannot be altar servers. If catechumens cannot, then I argue that any unbaptized person cannot, though I admit the norm does not deal with those cases.
The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism permits baptized Christians of other denominations to serve as a reader at Mass if the bishop permits it. Look at no. 133 here: http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/documenti/testo-in-inglese.html .
By comparison, I’d say that a baptized, non-Catholic server would probably need the bishop’s permission to assist. But again I admit the directory does not directly address that case.
I suggest you review these with the pastor and make a local decision on how you’d like to move forward.
Q: Greetings from Down Under. I hope you are well. Many of us have been watching what is happening in your nation over these weeks. We are a long way from you – as you well realise.
I’m writing a short email to respond to your blog response re the question about unbaptised servers.
In addition to your reply, I thought about the possibility of some encouragement that could given to the server/s. Or perhaps some exploration of the faith and their discipleship out of their experience as servers.
Perhaps the seminarian could explore with the server (and their family) who isn’t Catholic his/her own faith. Done in a pastoral way and with the support of his pastor mentor and the school, maybe the following could be broached: are they experiencing a love of God expressed in the Mass?
do they feel drawn to the Catholic community in ways others than ‘I’ve been doing this service at Mass when at school’?
All I’m thinking about is the possibility that the child himself/herself may be experiencing something profound in the Mass and this could be explored. There might be a potential request for reception into the RC community.
Anyway it’s just a thought. I currently serve three Catholic primary schools. Over these last few days we are also celebrating all sacraments of initiation with the young in our parishes where I now serve. I think these current parochial events may lie behind my wondering about this other possibility for the grade fivers who serve at Mass.
As well I was touched by the concern the writer had for the feeling of rejection by the server. Another possibility perhaps?
In closing thanks for your responses on the blog. Great stuff.
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A: Thanks for this very thoughtful reflection about that server. You make outstanding points.