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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.

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