[sinkspur]

Traditionally, the acolytate is the early training ground for priests. The introduction of girls, who cannot be priests, interferes with recruitment for the priestly ministry.

This may have been true in the days of minor seminaries and men going directly into college seminaries.

Today, however, when most seminarians enter after college, or even later, altar service could hardly qualify as a "training ground" for priests. Besides, there's very little for servers to do at Novus Ordo Masses.

[wideawake]

This may have been true in the days of minor seminaries and men going directly into college seminaries.

It was certainly true.

Today, however, when most seminarians enter after college, or even later, altar service could hardly qualify as a "training ground" for priests.

You prove my point for me.

Besides, there's very little for servers to do at Novus Ordo Masses.

There is quite a bit for acolytes to do at reverently celebrated Masses of the New Rite, especially when the priest decides to actually leaf through the GIRM.