“Mass Mob” Supports Two Traditional Priests

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

A planned “Mass Mob” at San Francisco’s Star of the Sea Parish made for a packed house on Sunday, in a show of support for its two pastors.

Fathers Joseph Illo and Patrick Driscoll have recently garnered the ire of secular forces, because of a new policy: altar boys only. Starting November of last year, the parish only trains boys to be altar servers.

The decision has the express permission of San Francisco's Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, as well as support from thousands of faithful Catholics across the country.

Father Illo explained the parish's move in a statement, citing two main reasons. First, he said, “A boys-only program gives altar boys the space to develop their own leadership potential.”

Secondly, he pointed out how altar service programs are “intrinsically tied to the priesthood and serve as feeder programs for the seminary.”

“If the Catholic Church ordained women, altar girls would make sense,” he wrote, “but the Catholic priesthood is a male charism. Nothing awakens a desire for the priesthood like service at the altar among the brotherhood of young men.”

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.