As a former Altar Girl, as much as I loved serving at the Altar of the Lord, and even though it helped me to stay Catholic through my teen years and to decern a vocation (as a nun, I never thought I could or should be a priest.) I agree with him. And I am not going to allow my daughter to Altar serve. Because it is not just a fun little job in the Church, but a way for boys to become acquainted with the Priesthood so they can better decern their ultimate vocation.

Cardinal Arinze is truly a wise man. We should pray for him and hope that such wisdom is contagious.

I loved being an altar boy when I was younger...loved it. Every chance I got, I volunteered to assist my priest at Mass. Through that, I entered a period of prayer and discernment of a possible vocation to the priesthood. Was not called in that direction, but I'd be honored to take on the role of altar boy (man) again if the opportunity presented itself.

Our parish has a traditional priest, he taught at a seminary. Only altar boys; they can become priests. Male lectors , no Eucharistic ministers as we still use the communion rail. Our music is sacred hymns, many in Latin. You won't hear any songs from Glory & Praise. Last Christmas Midnight Mass we has 16 boys ages 8 and up in red cassocks and white surplices. It was beautiful. We have one Latin Mass and 2 Novus Ordo. The Latin is the most attended. We have many young and large families .

To all those people who disagree with His Eminence, I will tell you that we all have the same dignity but with different duties.

As always Cardinal Arinze speaks words of wisdom. Thank you for all your labours for the Lord.

I know this is a serious video, but it cracks me up every time I hear it because the first 5 seconds are all you need to hear

Altar girls were forbidden by John Paul II but the Novus Ordo American bishops disobeyed him.

Would be a blessing if Cardinal Arinze would ordain priests and consecrate bishops in the Traditional rite of Holy Orders. He was ordained in the 50's and consecrated in 1965. We need 1 more valid Bishop to ordain & consecrate in Traditional Rites.

I am 68yrs old & I still help the priest during Mass when altar servers aren't around. Once an altar server, always an altar server.

I can’t believe this has happened. It’s still going on? I came back to the Catholic faith with full of repentance and regrets for what I had done before after converted to protestantism. I was anti Catholic protestant for around 10 decades who fully shut the door from catholicism. I never imagined I would come back to the true faith until I found the truth in the Catholic Church just earlier this month because I truly seek the truth which made God decide to take away the veil from eyes and soften my heart.

Please God, let it be your will that Cardinal Arinze will become Pope.

When I was a small boy I have served and made a lot of friends who were older boys. It was a place where I didn’t have to be in company of girls and I loved it. Naturally in that age I avoided girls because I have been thought to behave differently in their company. In the church I felt good. , Many boys wont be altar boys because they wont enjoy the special atmosphere it used to be. If you know what I mean.

Never thought of my altar boys as “small” clerics. Love it

@joeyhyyeung (From a woman & former-altar server) The positions of both Altar server & Acolyte were essentially stepping stones for the young men in a Parish who were discerning the call or already in the early stages of Seminarian training. With our modern concept of Feminism [whether you agree w it or not- it HAS influenced you] - its easy for us to view this as possibly "sexist"- this is a way for the devil to tempt us b/c we hate what we cannot understand. The mass is intended

I see so many girls serving in our parish. I too am a female but feel that only men should be able altar boys.

I wish ++Arinze would be elected to the papacy at the next conclave

There are way more altar girls now than boys. It totally mirrors the situation present in the priesthood. I pray ALL of my boys become acolytes and priests. Women have traditional positions in the church. It's like receiving communion from a woman eucharistic minister wearing pants and not covering her head! I'm a young lady and remember when there were enough priests to give out communion in two lines.

Altar girls were only allowed in rare circumstances before Vatican II. Most of the altar girls were nuns that received an idult whenever there wasn't an altar boy at a large mass

I am with him.

I agree. Allowing Altar Girls was a disaster. If they allowed it when I was serving as an altar boy, I doubt I would have stayed. That is why there are not enough priests in our churches.

I think Cardinal Arinze should be the next Pope!

but if i have my way.. you know what will happen..brilliant

WELL I WILL PRAY FOR CARDINAL, HE IS TO BE CALLED A SAINT, THAT'S THE WAY I BELIEVED AS FAR AS I HAVE HEAR HIM TALKING IN HERE. HE SEEMS VERY TRADITIONAL AND A SPIRIT OF GOODNESS AND JUSTICE ARE REFLECTING ON HIM. JESUS AND MARY BLESS HIM FOR EVER!!!!!

Let's be honest, women run our parishes without their love, service and dedication our parishes would not survive, having said that, I totally agree with the Cardinal and his great wisdom. I think he would have made a great Pope.

Want more priests?!?!? Get the girls OFF the alter!!!

I agree with you Meg -- I was talking as a parent who wish they had done a better job with my own children and pray other parents will do it also. You show your love by teaching your children the true faith and help your children get to heaven and not desire earthly things.

I love Cardinal Arinze!

There’s plenty of other work for the women to do, all important work by the way. Traditional Catholic Women know this and teach their girls as their mothers taught them. Traditional Catholic Women also teach their boys to serve as alter boys. Somehow during the 60’s a feminist decided to confuse their children. Just another reason the Church is in Crisis.

I love Cardinal Arinze so much his explanations are always on point

Yes, young traditional faithful Catholics will be the ones to restore the Faith back to its true glory! Holy Mother Church will never conquered by Sin (modernism today). For She is defended by Jesus Himself through the faithful. Be glad because the times must come back to Christ, or we will not survive. It is only a matter of time.

So right. I agree with you.

Good luck to you, hope you will find a way to be able to function further as boys only scout troop. I used to be a Scout too. Best times in my life.

Pope gelasius banned the bishops from the evil practice of women serving Mass. pope Benedict later confirmed the same. soli deo Gloria

Am a Catechist who train alterboys. I agree 💯 with you Your Eminence, I also noted when girls are allowed to serve the Mass, boys tend to withdraw girls seems Sharp for me this is a crisis

@ASignOfContradiction I have a question. at our church we have a 745 mass. There are no boys at the mass, mostly people 40 and older. one family with a daughter who does not serve. Our preist struggles and serves the mass alone. I feel much is lost with out any assistance. I wonder, who should be assisting the priest?

Allowing Girls to serve at Mass is a distraction to the Altar Boys who are aspiring to become Priest.

Well said

Without priests the Laity cannot recieve the graces of the Mass.

@joeyhyyeung Code Canon 813, § 2.“The mass server should not be a woman, unless no man can be found AND there is a good reason, & then on this understanding that the woman responds from a distance & does in no way approach the altar." I'm inclined to agree w Cardinal Arinze [plus he knows Catholic Theology better than u/your parents who encourage you] If I had my way... I'd give absolute preference to Deacon, then Altar Boys-IF there's a need beyond this- MAYBE girls-but sparingly.

Well spoken.

And we will be there for you all. Give some of us time. I am a Catholic man in my mid 20s learning the traditional faith with my heart set on defending our holy Church when I am able to with fortitude and compassion. I should have been ready sooner (cradle Catholic), but do to my own Sin and ignorance, I wasn't. But I'm awake now, and I speak for many young men I'm sure that are fully returning to the Church.

I agree 100%

Of course they have received great attention.

@MyBetty111 I agree with that....

"If I had my way, you know what will happen." Yes: no altar girls, which is better for the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

Another “liturgical abuse” brought to us through sheer DISOBEDIENCE.

@Skyethur no we're not im pretty sure that there are some areas in countries like the philepenes that allow girls

Church: We have a shortage of clergy! We need more priests! Also the Church: Sure we can have girls as alter boys (a.k.a. alter servers)

What would happen, Cardinal Arinze?

Yes Meg, we are the first teacher that our children meet. I think I did a good job with mine, nightly Bible stories, taught them their prayers, took them to Mass and their Liturgy of the Word (they called it Sunday School then). But I think the $1000 I spent to send them to Catholic school each year was a waste.They no nothing of their faith. Now I have 1 that goes to church 2 times 3 a year, and two who never go. Infact one no longer believes in Jesus. I feel like St. Monica with Augustine.

@JairPeltier I totally agree.

Because a woman cannot be a priest, it seems wrong for a girl to take the position of a boy who, as the Cardinal said, is constantly at the side of the priest, learning from the priest, acting similarly to the priest, such that there is hope that he will eventually BECOME a priest. God knows, we need more priests!

Im an altar server now and girls take my spot many times leaving me unable to serve. Its really not that complicated, just read the actual document

Cardinal Arinze would have made a good Pope.

It's hard for boys to want to serve on the altar when they see girls up there. Imagine how many priestly vocations we have lost through this nonsense

The girls might become nuns or religious teachers writers counselors. It also happened some girls more religiously inclined than some boys. In Parish churches the priests were supported by many pious parishoners often women. And many nuns in closeby convent.

No girls at the alter!

I served 9 years. He needs to become POPE.

That is because the alter boy position is no longer a place for boys to go without knowing that a girl could do the same thing.

@sukka113 i am an altar server, and a girl so what do you have to say to me? my church has apprroximately 40-50 altar servers, and a little more than half os us are girls, so what? i've wanted to serve since ii was small and honestly, being an altar server has brought me 10x closer to Jesus Christ, so what do you have to say to me?

my point was also that the parents don't step in. So if a boy says "I don't want to because there are girls serving also" the parent says "Oh, OK, then you don't have to serve." Does it work the same way with "oh I don't want to go to that math class because there are girls in it that are better at math than me"? or does the parent say "GROW UP, you need to deal with woman in this world start learning it now !!" I'm your parent and I know what's best for you.

I don't like attending any church where there are altar girls. There is none in my parish church, thanks Heaven.

@33ChiRho I want to go to your church! You are lucky.

In my parish years ago there must have around 100 altar boys over a ten-year period. The priest reverent and traditional. Not only did not one of them become priest, but as years went on none of them kept going to Mass either. Thats my experience... Explain that one!

@destructicon500 at the time I wasn't talking about woman's rights I was talking about censorship. The owner of this video deleted all the comments of people stating reasons why girls should be altar servers, views against Cardinal Arinze.

like the pic at the end

I am still hoping over all the Church will go more toward the traditional style Masses (maybe not all in Latin but style) but just like the slide away it will take time. I believe we should receive our Lord kneeling at the alter rail and on the tongue. I also think (like the eastern rite) Intincture (sp) should be an option here. I would like to see all boys at the alter (or grown men) but until we get parents to know their faith I do not see them encouraging boys to do this as they used to.

And what about Vatican 2? Don’t think we needed that either, but here it is so it is what it is I guess, what a mess.

I know what you mean they are trying to do that with my scout troop.

@joeyhyyeung [c 2] law(G-d!) has determined that women are physically, emotionally, & spiritually different than men- we've been created for different purposes. I felt "called" to be an altargrl in mid-high school- the older I get the better I understand that this is what I wanted-REALLY Jesus wants me as a Bride(via nun)- a different way of "serving" Him. Though I did help fill a need in my community- it should be only boys where #s allow for it(as in your parish)-One must discern

Hermano, where did you get the audio for this video and is it legal to repost it in this video?

I somehow agree , although my Gil’s served for many long years. There were no boys who would serve. The woman are the backbone servants in our church . Not just alter girls but many other jobs. We in no way want to replace any one , but respectfully and humbly serve so we operate as a body of Christ. Look around the church , where are the men? They don’t worship or concern themselves with church. I’m not judging but let’s be thankful for those who are dedicated in service.

I pray that the Lord opens the secret

i can see Gabriel the owner of this channel in this video.

I believe this is not a problem of the Church educating youth, its educating parents...If parents are to be primary educators of the faith like the Church asks, they're the ones failing...parents have the most influence over children and they are not doing their job...

Women weren't allowed on thee altar 50yrs ago, until the 1960's second vatican council reform! Scandals was an additional reason not to have a woman or girl alone with a priest, but scandals happen any other way due to some priest falling into sin. This is a struggling topic that seems to reenact from time to time and has faithful have doubts. But I must say Traditional ways, values, modest, conservative always seem to work better because of structure. Modern liberal opens newer problems!

Women serve in the altar society. We clean and maintain the vestments and altar linens, we arrange and maintain the flowers that glorify Our Lord on the high altar, we dust and clean the statues, we polish the candlesticks, we dust and clean the altar rail and wash the altar rail linens, we swap out the burned votive candles, we vacuum and sweep, we scrape candle wax off the floor near the altar, we run potlucks and coffee and donuts, make sure everyone is fed and that all the cleanup and dishes get done... most importantly we give birth to and raise future saints and offer our children to God, we pray that we might have a son who is called to the priesthood, we fill the pews at every holy hour and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, we weep and do penance and pray the rosary. We follow in the footsteps of Mary Magdalen and her sister Martha - not in the footsteps of the 12 Apostles and their successors. Of course, this is all happening at my rigid traditionalist TLM parish of about 200 families and on average we send one man (altar boy) to seminary every year. The modern parishes nearby have all women lectors and "extraordinary eucharistic ministers" and girl altar boys - and no vocations to the priesthood.

(2) It is when "god" is used as a name rather than a title that I generally avoid it. "The Lord" is fine because it is "the" god of Judeo-Christians. I believe this convention was dropped when the Vulgate was compiled. It's not out of superstition & I don't preach this to others. I do use "God" (I alternate) but this small devotion keeps me aware of His presence. It is not pointless, it is tradition. Since I use the term at least 15-20x a day- why not use it as an opportunity to glorify Him?

@joeyhyyeung if it is G-D "calling you" or one's own false-pride. As Catholics we are bound to BOTH sacred scripture AND sacred tradition! Tradition is- NO women on the altars [as in the Bubonic Plague- lay ministers (esp women) are to be used only if there are NO other options]- ie all the men are dead or dying/ men are gone in war etc. (1917 Code)

@sukka113 so now im ignorant?? the majority of the churches in my diocese allow girl servers. im not ignorant. honestly, being an altar server has given me the courage to think about becomming a nun, so you know what, think what you want to think but im an altar server, i know im not ignorant nor am i evil

hes right

@Colinupham I would ask what spirit is moving a parish with so little to offer the Church in the way of willing boys to serve at God's altar. My solution would be that older men may fill the role of acolyte to assist a priest. Just because some parishes lack priest doesnt mean we should ordain women. What I do know is that boys are less likely to want to serve if girls are serving. Thats the nature of boys. Y'know, worried about being labelled by other boys. The sanctuary is for men.

80%? That's depressing. :'(

Christ and His Church clearly have the duty to maintain Truth, including Christ's mandate that the genders have unique roles. If any woman feels "called" to be on the altar, she should reconsider, and be like Mary: the queen of heaven whose modesty never failed. If i did not know that the Eucharist is Truly Jesus Christ, at the typical Novus Ordo Mass, i would have NO idea, by the way the altar servers and lay ministers conduct themselves and dress. Clearly, disaster is here, on the altar.

I have to disagree , because even though it's true that alter serving is a way of introducing young boys interest in becoming priest that is still not the most important reason or even close to it . The main reason of alter servers is to assist the priest in the eucharistic celebration thus bring god's people closer to the alter and closer to God. One of the motto in alter servers is " nearer to the alter nearer to God" and I am pretty sure God of all people will not discriminate on who can serve him . And plus who said that girls can't get inspired to join the religious order after all there are vocations like nuns and sisters . And I stand by what I am saying strongly cuz in a few days time I am going to be up in the alter serving mass lifting up all of my heart and soul and all of my focus to God as I witness the sacrifice jesus made on the cross being repeated in the sacrificial offering , knowing that I don't have to be a boy to do this 😊

Good for you, Cardinal! No altar girls!

You're correct. Nothing in the Bible should be actualized to the present time. Just as it says in Exodus 21:7 that I may sell my daughter into slavery. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging and that he is kind and merciful.

Yes they do. Ever since Vatican II, feminists have had some priesthood ideas and it is more and more frequent.

My choice of spelling reflects a personal devotion adopted from Ancient Jewish practices. [Names reflects our nature] It's a reminder that words can't convey the true essence of the Father. It reflects the great divide between my lowly human nature & His infinite glory. Jesus was a man- albeit divine. He has a human nature. 'Pater Noster' doesn't. Out of respect for Him, people avoid writing it (hence all the titles). Also, a study habit to differentiate in my notes b/n Pagan god(s) & my own.

@KittenButter God didn't leave us with just the Bible, in order for us to scramble around and form 30,000 christian denominations from all our disagreements about the interpretation of Scripture. He left us a Church that would guide us in the correct interpretation of Scripture and form dogma. If you knew Scripture, you would know that Christ chose 12 apostles and left St. Peter to lead his church. The Pope is the one in the chair of St. Peter. I'm praying for you, my friend. God bless you.

@joeyhyyeung @joeyhyyeung (cont) to be a loose continuation of earlier Ancient Juadiac ritual sacrifices [the distribution of "sacrificed flesh" by the Priests in the Temple of Jerusalem] + the Eucharistic "ritual". Just as only men could serve in Temple- only men should serve in Mass [w/in the clerical hierarchy]. As women- G-d made us beautiful- on the altar we'll distract others from prayer. Our place is not w Jesus but beside/in front of Him(as a wife or lover might be)- natural

they should be good training in singing songs and teaching catesim

lucky

@Colinupham I know sports that both sexes play, and play well. But studies conducted by the church do show that boys are more unlikely to serve mass if they PERCEIVE it a girly thing to do. Boys are highly impacted by jibes from their friends and are, unfortunately, easily persuaded to go with the group mentality than think for themselves. In the latin mass community there is a steady stream of boys who want to emulate dad or big brother. Women play imp role in Church, but not on the altar.

@KittenButter That day will never come. Christ HIMSELF said that the gates of hell would never prevail against the Church. (Matthew 16:18). The Catholic Church is the mystical body of Christ, not merely 'an institution'. God bless you, I pray the Lord shed His light of truth upon you so you understand.

Girls should not be alter servers only boys! thats the way of the Holy Church for 2000 years , If girl want to have anything to do with the Holy Church! Girls should become nuns! that in it self if beautiful. God Bless you all!

@nexxt87 I Lol'ed.

@musicgirl792 If you study the traditional purpose for reserving altar serving to boys you may, in time, come to appreciate that the role is not about sexism, rights or whatever. Its about exposing boys to the role of priests and to entertain the possibility of a vocation from God. When I hear terms such as 'sexist' levelled at the Church I know I am dealing with someone who is incredibly gullible, secular and ignorant. Your low-brow comment was offensive.

DUMP francis//WE NEED TO GO BACK ///