Archconfraternity
est: 1904
News and Events
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Holy Week Message 2026
The Honorary President of the Guild, Paul Briers addresses Servers on the eve of Holy Week.
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Guild Prayer - Sign Language
We’re pleased to be able to present the Guild Prayer translated into British Sign Language for hearing impaired servers.
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National Mass 2026
We are delighted to announce, that our new Superior General of the Guild, His Grace Archbishop Richard Moth will be the principal celebrant at this year’s National Mass.
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New Superior General
We welcome our new Superior General, the new Archbishop of Westminster, Archbishop Richard Moth.
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There’s one more thing!
Pope Leo has awarded our own Michael O'Leary the 'Pro Ecclessia et Pontifice' award for his outstanding contribution to the local and national church.
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Guild Goods Changes
Orders from the Guild Shop will only be accepted online from 1st January 2026.
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Message for the Feast of St Stephen 2025
The Honorary President of the Guild looks back at an eventful 2025 on the feast of our patron St Stephen.
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Cardinal Nichols Retires
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of His Eminence, Vincent Cardinal Nichols.
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The Heart of Worship: Cardinal Newman's Vision for the Altar Server
Rev. Dr Tony Strike of Hallam Diocese, reflects on St John Henry Newman and his thoughts on the liturgy.
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Annual Report of the National Director
Our new National Director, Fr Keith Stoakes, introduces himself in his annual report at the 2025 AGM.
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Certificate Launch Video
Cardinal Vincent, our Superior General, has recorded a message for the launch our new 'Certificate in Altar Server’s Studies'.
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Leo XIV meets with Servers
Pope Leo recently met with French Altar Servers on pilgrimage in Rome.
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New National Director
Cardinal Nichols has appointed a new National Director of the Guild.
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120 Years of the Guild
The Guild recently returned home to the Chapel where it all began to celebrate 120 years of the Guild and 100 years of the Central Council.
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National Director Retires
Cardinal Nichols, has accepted the resignation of Rev. Fr Dennis Touw, the National Director of the Guild.
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AGM 2025
You are invited to the 2025 Guild AGM, on Saturday 15 November 2025 in London.
About Us
The Guild of St Stephen is the International Organisation of Altar Servers founded in England in 1904 by Father Hamilton McDonald when he formed a Society of Altar Servers at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in London.
In 1905, Pope Pius X gave his approval to the canonical establishment of the Guild at Westminster Cathedral and in 1906, the Sacred Congregation of Rites made the Guild an Archconfraternity prima primaria enabling all the parish branches to be linked with it.
The Guild spread, and in 1934, Pope Pius XI enabled all Guilds of Altar Servers throughout the British Commonwealth to be affiliated with the Archconfraternity at Westminster.
Patrons
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St Stephen
Stephen’s name means “crown”; he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr’s crown. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. The Apostles had found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor, so they ordained seven deacons. Stephen is the most famous of these.
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Our Lady
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is also known as the Mother of the Church. Therefore she must also be the mother of all altar servers.
All through her life Mary served others. That was why she was chosen to be the Mother of God. We should pray to her to help us be better servers.
When Mary knew that she was to become the mother of Jesus, she said ‘My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness’.
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Saint Thomas More
Thomas More was born in London in 1478. His father was a judge and Thomas followed in his footsteps. He married, had children, and was so good at his profession in the Law that he was appointed Lord Chancellor by King Henry VIII.
Thomas More however, fell out with the king and resigned. The trouble started when Henry wanted to divorce his wife. The Pope refused to allow it and Thomas was loyal to the Pope. Eventually he was arrested by the king, tried and beheaded at the Tower of London in 1535.
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Pope Saint Pius X
This saintly Pope is also a secondary patron of the Guild of St Stephen. He gave the Guild the Church’s highest approval in 1906, so we have much to be grateful to him for. However, that is not the main reason why he is a patron. Pius X did a great deal for the liturgy.
He encouraged greater participation in the celebration of the liturgy, especially by singing; most of all he made Catholics realise how the important the Mass is, and how important it is to receive Holy Communion regularly at Mass.
