Victoria Ordinariate Altar Servers
Updated: 26JUNE2025
THE VERGER
O Almighty Father, from whom every family in heaven and upon the earth doth derive its name, who hath called us into the communion of Thy Holy Church, grant, we beseech Thee, that in all our congregations we may perform our duties and savour the privileges of our spiritual homes. And upon those who present themselves for service as vergers within the house of God, bestow the plenitude of Thy grace, that, unified in love towards Thee and to one another, we may manifest Thy glory and hasten the advent of Thy Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
A verger (sometimes virger) is a specialized form of sacristan, so a Biblical origin for their office can be found in those members of the priestly tribe of Levi set aside by King David and the Prophet Samuel: The gatekeepers were… in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord… as guards… and they had charge of opening it every morning. Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices (1 Chronicles 9:17–29).
At Saint John Henry's, Victoria, we are currently blessed with three capable vergers who regularly escort processions within the church and through the community of Esquimalt. Typically, the procession routes are approximately 1 kilometer with level access for those with walking aids or families with strollers. On occasions such as Corpus Christi, we are blessed with the assistance of members of the Knights of Columbus who bear the canopy.
PHOTO GALLERY
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Corpus Christi 2024
Corpus Christi 2025
Midnight Mass 2023
Corpus Christi 2024
Verger at Solemn High Mass
The following notes are from the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, Our Lady of Walsingham Cathedral site.
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When, according to local custom, a verger participates in the liturgy, he functions as a Master of Ceremonies in the nave. As such, he escorts processions through the nave, the Gospel procession into the nave, members of the choir to receive communion, and processions out of the nave to the outdoor shrine. At Evensong the verger also leads lectors to the lectern, but typically not at mass.
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As a member of the congregation, he does not vest in white garments as a servant of the altar, but rather in a black cassock and the verger's gown along with the verge.
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The verger holds the verge in the right hand while leading processions. When standing in place, he cradles the verge. When genuflecting or bowing, the verge may be cradled, or reclined onto the shoulder.
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If the verger is to escort lectors to the lectern, he should find where they are seated before the liturgy, and discuss the liturgical action with him/them at that time. The verger should begin moving toward the lector at the end of the previous prayer/reading, so that they are in motion and near the lectern in a timely manner. Upon meeting the lector at his pew, the verger and lector bow to one another, and the verger leads the lector to the front of the nave, where the verger bids the lector to his left side, and they genuflect of bow together before moving to the lectern. Upon arrival at the lectern, the lector and verger face each other and bow. The verger stands in place through the reading and then escorts the lector back to his/her place.
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For processions, the verger ensures that the servers and ministers are in order and then leads the procession along its course. The verger is to ensure all is correct, but he should keep his movements to a minimum.
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Ordinarily, the verger sits in the nave. His chair may be placed in close proximity to the lectern.