Służba kobiet w liturgii – Tradycja Kościoła a współczesna praktyka pastoralna. Stan badań na rok 2020 przed ogłoszeniem motu proprio „Spiritus Domini”

Abstract

Liturgical ministry, which has its roots in the times before Jesus Christ’s birth, has been exercised by boys and young men for thousands years. The 20th century liturgical reforms have also opened doors to girls’ and women’s liturgical ministry. The aim of the article is to present the changes in celebration throughout history and to clarify the range of possibilities and general competences of women and girls during the celebration. The article presents state of the research in 2020 and does not include the issues raised in the motu proprio Spiritus Domini. The article is divided into four chronological parts. The first one deals with the archetypes of minsters from the Old Testament. The second one characterizes the evangelical context of the liturgical ministry. The third part describes the development of the altar boys’ service over the centuries. The fourth part concerns on the times after the Second Vatican Council, therefore on the actual liturgical renewal in the Church all over the world and in Poland. The text itself is based on the Holy Bible, the Church’s Magisterium’s documents and source literature. The thesis analyzes the above texts and is of analytical and theoretical nature. The result shows specific possibilities of women’s involvement in liturgical ministry structures. It also names the roles they undertake in liturgical groups during celebrations. Based on the available sources and historical circumstances it should be enabled for women and girls to engage in ministry that includes reading and singing, whereas the traditional liturgical ministry, apart from bringing the altar gifts by the laity, should be reserved for men and boys unless the diocesan bishop decides otherwise.