Altar Boys-Archconfraternity of St. Stephen

“When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the altar.”
– St. John Chrysostom

Serving the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is both an honor and a privilege. Those boys interested in serving must:

  • Receive First Holy Communion prior to serving.
  • Be willing and able to learn to serve both High and Low Masses (training will be provided).
  • Learn the Latin responses for Mass. 

If you would like to serve, please fill out our REGISTRATION FORM

Serving Practice

Altar boys practice takes place every third Saturday of the Month from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. We meet in the St. Joseph Room.

Server Schedule

We now use Ministry Scheduler Pro for our servers. Once you fill out the registration form, you will receive your username and password to access your account. If you have already set up an account and lost your username or password, please email Fr. Franco: fr.franco@stjosephrichmond.org

Resources for Server Training

We now have a website dedicated to the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen. Please visit the website for more information: 

https://stjoseph828.wixsite.com/ststephensguild


The Archconfraternity of St. Stephen

History (from the Handbook)

The Guild was formed in March, 1905, by Father Hamilton MacDonald, chaplain to the Sacred Heart Convent, Hammersmith, by permission of the Archbishop of Westminster, the late Cardinal Bourne, and it was blessed by His Holiness Pope Pius X in the following November. On the 4th December, 1906, the Holy Father erected the Guild into an archconfraternity prima primaria having the power to affiliate to itself other similar Guilds outside the Archdiocese of Westminster in the British Isles. On the 19th February, 1934, His Holiness Pope Pius XI extended this privilege throughout the British Empire.

The Three-fold Object of the Guild

The Three-fold Object of the Guild is: 

  1. Sanctification of the Server
  2. Knowledge of Sacred Rites and how to serve them
  3. Understand the meaning of the Rites.

The Rules of the Guild

Every member on enrollment promises to observe the following rules:

  1. To serve at the Altar reverently, intelligently and punctually.
  2. To make short acts of preparation before, and of thanksgiving after, serving Mass.
  3. To observe silence in the sacristy, and great reverence in the Sanctuary.
  4. To recite daily the Guild Prayer.

Plenary Indulgences

Pope St. Pius X granted plenary indulgences to each member of the Guild:

  1. On the day of admission
  2. On the patronal feast of the Guild: December 26th
  3. At the hour of death

Enrollment Ceremony 

Enrollment Ceremony booklet (PDF)

Ranks of the St. Stephen's Guild

The different types of medals and cords denote the rank of the server (see image).

  • Postulants (Not yet enrolled)
  • Junior Acolytes
  • Senior Acolytes
  • Master of Ceremonies
  • President: This position is appointed by the director
  • Director: This is the priest in charge of the local chapter of the Guild.

Medals of St. Stephen's Guild