Guild of St Stephen
May 22nd 2026
Our three servers with their Medals, together with Fr Kim and Andrew Baker (MC)
Regular visitors and parishioners will have noticed that three of our Altar Servers wear a red sash and medal. This is the medal of the Guild of St Stephen and all of us at Hemel East are really proud to have our servers awarded this medal.
The Guild of St Stephen is an international society dedicated to supporting and encouraging altar servers in their ministry at the altar.
Founded to promote reverence, commitment, and service within the Church, the Guild helps servers grow in their faith while carrying out their duties with dignity and devotion. Membership represents a commitment to prayer, teamwork, and faithful service during the liturgy, while also fostering a sense of community and spiritual development among servers of all ages.
Through the Guild, altar servers are reminded that their role is not only practical, but also a special calling to serve God and the Church with dedication and respect.
About the medal
Upon enrolment into the Guild, the server is presented with the Guild Medal, which is made of bronze and is worn around the neck, hanging from a red cord representing the blood of the martyrs. It is not permissible to change the colour of the cord as this is symbolic of the martyr patrons of the Guild.
The medal's meaning is twofold:
That the parish priest, or local director of the Guild, has decided this particular server is eligible and worthy to be admitted to the Guild.
The server accepts and wears the medal as a sign of commitment to serve regularly and to the best of his ability.
The letters "XP" are in the centre of the medal, being the first two letters of the name "Christ" in Greek.
At the top is the crown of victory given by God to everyone who overcomes evil, especially those who die for him.
At the bottom are palm branches, traditional signs of martyrs who died for Christ. The motto of the Guild, "Cvi Servire Regnare Est," which means "To Serve is to Reign," is located around the edge of the front of the medal.
The Latin words "Sancti Stephani Archi Sodalitas", or "Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen," are located around the edge on the back.
Medal of the Guild of St Stephan