Altar servers help the priest at Mass and other services, so that the liturgy can be celebrated with care and reverence. They carry the cross and candles, bring the bread and wine to the altar, and help in many small ways throughout the Mass.
Serving is a real ministry. It brings servers close to the altar and helps them to understand and pray the Mass more deeply. Many priests first heard God’s call while serving at the altar.
The Guild of St Stephen
Altar servers in England and Wales may be enrolled in the Guild of St Stephen, founded in 1904 and recognised by the Holy See. Its motto, Cui servire regnare est, means “To serve is to reign”. The Guild encourages high standards of serving and helps servers understand more deeply what they do at the altar.
The Guild recognises faithful serving with medals and awards. The Guild medal is always worn on a red cord, in honour of the martyrs.
- Bronze Medal: on enrolment, after at least six months of serving
- Certificate of service: five years as a member of the Guild
- Silver Medal: ten years as a member of the Guild
- Silver Medal of Merit: twenty years of serving
- Gold Medal, or Gold Medal of Merit: fifty years of serving
Becoming a server
New servers are welcome, both for Mass and for Divine Worship, the Ordinariate’s form of the Mass. You do not need any experience to begin. New servers learn by serving alongside others, and will be shown what to do.
If you, or your child, would like to become an altar server, please speak to Fr Alex after Mass or contact the parish.