The Guild of St Stephen
THE MASSES, celebrations of the Divine Office, and the Sacraments are well supported at St John Henry’s thanks to a very dedicated team of male altar servers who make up the Servers’ Guild which, on the Feast of St Stephen in 2021, became an affiliated branch of the Guild of St Stephen, a Catholic organisation of altar servers throughout the British Commonwealth, founded in England in 1904. More information on the Guild can be found here.
The Solemn Mass on Sundays and Solemnities utilises a Crucifer, Thurifer, two Torchbearers, two Acolytes, and a Master of Ceremonies. Servers also assist at weekday Low Masses, at Evensong, and Benediction. We also have three Instituted Acolytes of the Ordinariate, who assist with the administration of the Precious Blood, lead the Divine Office when required, and fulfil the role of Subdeacon at Solemn Masses with a deacon.
Regular training is given, practices are held regularly, and there are also rehearsals before major feasts, and before the celebrations of Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. The Guild is a valuable fellowship and fraternity for boys and men, and new Servers are always welcome and encouraged to join. If you are interested in our Servers’ Guild, please contact our Master of Ceremonies, and visit our dedicated altar servers’ website here.
The Solemn Mass on Sundays and Solemnities utilises a Crucifer, Thurifer, two Torchbearers, two Acolytes, and a Master of Ceremonies. Servers also assist at weekday Low Masses, at Evensong, and Benediction. We also have three Instituted Acolytes of the Ordinariate, who assist with the administration of the Precious Blood, lead the Divine Office when required, and fulfil the role of Subdeacon at Solemn Masses with a deacon.
Regular training is given, practices are held regularly, and there are also rehearsals before major feasts, and before the celebrations of Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. The Guild is a valuable fellowship and fraternity for boys and men, and new Servers are always welcome and encouraged to join. If you are interested in our Servers’ Guild, please contact our Master of Ceremonies, and visit our dedicated altar servers’ website here.
Instituted Acolytes‘In his 1972 Motu Proprio entitled Ministeria Quaedum, Pope Paul VI reformed the so-called “minor orders” in the Church, the steps which would precede ordination to the diaconate and priesthood... In this reform, the Holy Father restored these ministries to the faithful, uncoupling them from the preparation of men for the sacred priesthood.
In other words, the order of subdeacon, as such, no longer exists in the Latin Church - there are no “subdeacons”. The functions of the subdiaconate, however, have been preserved and have passed into the institution of lector and acolyte - there remains a subdiaconal role or ministry. The rubrical directory of Divine Worship: The Missal, harmonising this experience with the canonical reforms of Ministeria Quaedum, specifies that the function of subdeacon may be taken by another cleric or by an instituted acolyte.’ - Bishop Steven Lopes. His full letter can be found here. |
According to the Code of Canon Law 230.1, this role is restricted to ‘lay persons who possess the age and qualifications’. The normative age is 21, and those who seek institution should have a thorough understanding of the Faith, and regularly serve at the altar.
The Instituted Acolyte may perform the following actions:
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The Instituted Acolyte may also perform the following in the absence, or at the request of, the Parish Priest:
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Members’ Duties
Guild members will strive to:
1. Say the Guild Prayer daily. (This may be found at the bottom of this page.)
2. Serve regularly, when asked, with understanding and reverence.
3. Attend Mass on 26 December, the Feast of St Stephen the Protomartyr.
1. Say the Guild Prayer daily. (This may be found at the bottom of this page.)
2. Serve regularly, when asked, with understanding and reverence.
3. Attend Mass on 26 December, the Feast of St Stephen the Protomartyr.
The Guild Manuals
The Server Manual, available to all servers, contains practical instructions and details about the celebration of Mass at St John Henry’s. It should be studied in depth by those who wish to have a greater understanding of how to serve at Mass. This excellent resource may be found here.
The Guild Manual, available to Guild members, contains prayers for before and after Mass, Guild prayers to St Stephen, and various other devotions. The Rite of Enrolment, Renewal of Commitment, and Presentation of Service Medals are provided for convenience, as well as a means for recording special dates. |
Attire
A cassock and cotta are the traditional work garments of the altar server, and black dress shoes are required for uniformity. Please let Fr Kenyon know the correct size for each item below, so he can place the order for you.
Cassocks
Please use this size guide to find your size of cassock.
Cottas
Please visit the websites below and indicate your required length of cotta. According to Ritual Notes the cotta ‘should reach half-way between the wearer’s hip and the knee’. The sizes indicate length from shoulder downwards. So, shoulder to half-way between the hip and knee is required:
Please find your size for plain cottas here, and your size for lace cottas here.
Cassocks
Please use this size guide to find your size of cassock.
Cottas
Please visit the websites below and indicate your required length of cotta. According to Ritual Notes the cotta ‘should reach half-way between the wearer’s hip and the knee’. The sizes indicate length from shoulder downwards. So, shoulder to half-way between the hip and knee is required:
Please find your size for plain cottas here, and your size for lace cottas here.
THE GUILD PRAYER
O God, who dost graciously accept the ministry of thy servants and allow us to share in the service of thine altar: grant that, whilst in serving thee we follow the example of our Patron, Saint Stephen, the first Martyr, we may, like him, come to see thy Son standing at the right hand of thy Majesty, and so enter into the Kingdom of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
St Stephen, pray for us.
St Stephen, pray for us.