Acolytes

Come Join the Team!!

The Acolyte program provides an opportunity for the youth of our parish to serve the church by assisting the clergy in the conduct of worship.

Acolytes accompany the deacon during the Gospel reading, and also assist the ushers in receiving the offerings of the people. They also provide assistance to the celebrant in the washing of hands and ringing the Sanctus bell.

When the service is over, the crucifer, along with the other acolytes, leads the whole ministry from the sanctuary out of the church. While doing all of this, they are also part of the people praying and responding and performing the liturgy of the mass.

Anyone who is at least 6 years old can join the acolyte team throughout the year. We will train you in your responsibilities, as well as answer any questions that might arise as the year goes along!

Acolytes are asked to be at the vesting area at least 20 minutes before the service they are assisting in. If you are not able to assist on your assigned week, please contact your beadle to let them know.

For more information about serving as an acolyte, please contact
Gavin Marshall.

Acolyte History: The Acolyte Ministry is one of the oldest in the Church, dating to the earliest years, The Acolyte ministry originated from Old Testament times.  The Scriptures tell us of the prophet Samuel assistingEli the priest and of Eli being assisted by Elisha.

The New Testament illustrates early Christian adoption of this custom, which has been carried forward to the present day.  The Acolyte assists priests and deacons so that worshipers may celebrate the Holy Eucharist and other rites of the Church with simple dignity.  In fact, the Book of Common Prayer states, “At all celebrations of the Liturgy, it is fitting that the principal celebrant...be assisted by other priests, and by deacons and lay persons.”

By the third century (200-300 AD) the organization of the church was already well developed. Among the "minor orders" developed to assist the Priests were Acolytes, who were assigned to assist the bishop in many ways and to help the clergy during worship services.

The word Acolyte comes from the Greek word, "to follow, to accompany, to escort." Thus an acolyte is an attendant, a follower, a helper.

In the year 251 AD, when Cornelius, the Bishop of Rome, sent a letter to Bishop Fabius of Antioch , he said that at that time there were forty-two acolytes in Rome .

During the Middle Ages the order of acolyte was firmly established. They were the helpers of the bishops and other clergy. They were responsible for carrying lighted candles for the use of the officiating clergy in the dim light of the churches and cathedrals. They also received the offerings of the people, brought the bread and wine to the priest at the proper time in the service for consecration, and continued their responsibility of taking the consecrated bread to outlying churches.