The object of the Guild is the sanctification of the Altar Server by teaching him that to serve in the Sanctuary is a great religious privilege, by instructing him the manner of observing the rites and ceremonies of the Church according to the rubrics and to the decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Rites and the interpretations of the most generally accepted authorities, and by encouraging him to understand the meaning and the purpose of the ceremonies in which he takes part.
So now, with my whole heart, I offer myself to Jesus Christ to fight under His colors.
St. John Berchmans, Patron Saint of Altar Servers
History
The St. Stephen Altar Guild started in England in March, 1905, by Fr. Hamilton MacDonald, with the permission of the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Bourne. In November, 1906, Pope St. Pius X recognized and blessed the Guild. On February 19th, 1934, Pope Pius XI allowed the Guild to spread worldwide.
The Guild was brought to St. Stephen the First Martyr Catholic Church in 2003 by Fr. John Berg of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.
Membership
A young man is accepted in to the Guild after First Communion in a provisional status called the Altar Guild Minor. It is during this time that the young man should serve Mass as a side server as often as possible so that he can learn the responses and movements of the different positions at Mass. At ten years old, he can promote to the Altar Guild proper, testing quarterly for the following levels in this order:
- Torch Bearer
- High Mass Acolyte
- Low Mass Acolyte
- Thurifer
- Master of Ceremonies
During a young man’s training, he will receive medals to distinguish the levels that he has achieved. The medals are given as follows:
- Junior Acolyte: Silver medal with ribbon, signifying that the young man has learned all of his Latin responses and has learned all the movements up to and including Second Acolyte at Low Mass.
- Senior Acolyte: Silver medal with cord, signifying that the young man has learned all of movements up to and including Thurifer at Solemn High Mass.
- Master of Ceremonies: Gold medal with cord, signifying that the young man has mastered all of the movements of every server at any type of Mass, the movements of the Priest, Deacon, and Sub-Deacon, and is able to effectively teach these positions to other servers.
Guild members are expected to always be respectful of Holy and blessed objects, Priests, fellow Guild members, and St. Stephen’s parishioners. They are also required to attend monthly practices regularly, recite the daily Guild prayers, and to serve Mass as often as possible.
Chaplain: Fr. Evan Schwab, FSSP
Assistant: Mike Solton
