I don’t know how to describe this feeling more accurately — something between joy, slight excitement, and even a bit of anxiety. Because this is not just another church decree, but something that can change the daily life of parishes, the atmosphere at Mass, and in general — our perception of the role of women in the Church.

I grew up in a Catholic family, and since childhood, the Church has been something unshakable, solid as a rock for me. I always knew that boys can be altar servers, but girls cannot. And even if somewhere inside the question “why?” sometimes arose, I quickly suppressed it — perhaps it is necessary, since the Church has decided so. But as the years went by, I grew up, and gradually began to understand: the Church is not a museum exhibit, but the living Body of Christ. It develops, breathes, sometimes reinvents itself - but not for the sake of fashion or politics, but in order to be closer to people, to better bring the light of the Gospel to a changing world.

And now - this is the solution. Women at the altar. Women participating in decision-making. For some, this is a revolution, for others, a natural step. Personally, I see something very deep and beautiful in this: finally, something that has always been true is officially recognized. Women have ALWAYS served the Church. Just in different ways. Some - as nuns, who dedicated their entire lives to prayer and serving the poor. Some - as mothers who are the first to teach their children to pray and bring them to Sunday Mass. Some - as parish activists who organize charity events or catechism. Isn't this service? Isn't it important?

But now we will have another opportunity - to be closer to the altar, to the very core of the liturgy. And I can't help but rejoice at this. Because when a woman stands next to the priest, helping during the mass, this is not a "rebellion against tradition", but a return to something very ancient and real. Remember the deaconesses of the early Church! Remember the holy myrrh-bearing women who were the first to learn about the Resurrection and carried this news to the apostles. Women have always been a part of this history. Just sometimes more noticeable, sometimes less so.

Of course, someone may have doubts. "Will we break tradition? Will this not be a step towards something radical?" I sometimes catch myself thinking these thoughts. But then I remember the words of Christ, Who so often broke the stereotypes of His time in the Gospel: He talked to the Samaritan woman, defended the sinner, allowed women to follow Him and listen to His teaching. He was never afraid to trust women with something important. So why should we be afraid?

The main thing is that all this should not be for the sake of “gender equality” as an abstract idea, but for the sake of love. So that every person in the Church — a man or a woman — could fully reveal their talents given by God and use them for service. After all, we are all one body. And if one part of the body finally gets the opportunity to move more freely, isn’t that a reason for joy?

I can already imagine how in a couple of years this will become a common practice: you come to church, and there at the altar — both men and women. And it will not seem strange or revolutionary. It will be just… natural. Like breathing.

What do you think about this? Maybe there are already women ministers in your parish? How do you feel about this — with joy, with caution, or you don’t understand yet? Let’s discuss it — without arguing, without condemnation, just as brothers and sisters in Christ.

P.S. The other day I was talking to a friend who is just about to undergo training for serving at the altar. She says that for her this is not a “political gesture,” but an opportunity to be closer to the Eucharist, to participate in it not only as a spectator, but as a helper. It seems to me that this is the essence — not in “rights,” but in love. And that’s wonderful.

Lana Banana