The Guild of St Stephen
Serving at the Altar
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.
Institution of Acolytes 2017
Institution of Acolytes 2023
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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.’ - 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. |
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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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Cassocks and Cottas
A cassock and cotta are the traditional work garments of the altar server. Please let Fr Kenyon know the correct size for each item, 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.
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