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The office of verger in the English Church emerges from
the mists of the middle ages as a minor order whose job
was to “lead the procession”—often on roads clogged
with children, dogs, horses, and occasionally, criminals.
Imagine him walking along the streets of London in his
master’s gown, carrying a stout pole—the processional
crosses, torches, acolytes, and choir strung out behind
him. Once he reaches St Paul’s Cathedral, he indicates to
each order its place in the choir by leading it there or by
pointing his pole. He knows where to place people
because he was instrumental in assisting the clergy in the
planning of the procession and the following liturgy.
Three impressions of this ancient ministry emerge here.
The first is the pole or verge which the verger used as a
badge of authority and occasionally to whack those in the
way, particularly the criminals. Today, this is the pole
which the vergers in cathedrals use to direct participants
in the liturgy or visitors to the places where they make
their speeches or read from Scripture. The verge used in
a parish church is much shorter, usually about three feet
long, and in theory you don’t have to whack anybody with
it.
The second is the master’s gown which he wore. It is
black and has long funny sleeves. Tradition has it that the
sleeves were shaped like this so the verger could carry
the service books in his sleeves and still lead the
procession. There is great variation in the gowns which
modern vergers wear, but I’m pretty conservative about
these things, so I wear the traditional black master’s
gown. In addition, I wear an academic hood, which
signifies the Master of Arts degree, in my case, in English
and symbolizes my additional duties as catechist and
teacher.
The third and most important impression is the theme of
service. The office of verger has gone through many
phases over the ages, but this theme of service to the
clergy in the conduct of the worshiping life of an active
parish or cathedral has been a constant. Along the way
he has been the janitor, as well as the leader of the daily
offices, all in the service of the Rector or Dean.
At St. James’, the Verger, in addition to leading the
procession, assists the Rector in planning the liturgies
and then coordinates the participants, so that the music
and the acolytes and the lay readers, assisted by the Altar
Guild, will make our solemn and joyful liturgy more deeply
meaningful and welcoming to our congregation. Further
the Verger assists in the weekly preparation of the
Bulletin, which is an essential welcoming tool for
newcomers, as well as laying out clearly the Divine
Service for long time Episcopalians.
the mists of the middle ages as a minor order whose job
was to “lead the procession”—often on roads clogged
with children, dogs, horses, and occasionally, criminals.
Imagine him walking along the streets of London in his
master’s gown, carrying a stout pole—the processional
crosses, torches, acolytes, and choir strung out behind
him. Once he reaches St Paul’s Cathedral, he indicates to
each order its place in the choir by leading it there or by
pointing his pole. He knows where to place people
because he was instrumental in assisting the clergy in the
planning of the procession and the following liturgy.
Three impressions of this ancient ministry emerge here.
The first is the pole or verge which the verger used as a
badge of authority and occasionally to whack those in the
way, particularly the criminals. Today, this is the pole
which the vergers in cathedrals use to direct participants
in the liturgy or visitors to the places where they make
their speeches or read from Scripture. The verge used in
a parish church is much shorter, usually about three feet
long, and in theory you don’t have to whack anybody with
it.
The second is the master’s gown which he wore. It is
black and has long funny sleeves. Tradition has it that the
sleeves were shaped like this so the verger could carry
the service books in his sleeves and still lead the
procession. There is great variation in the gowns which
modern vergers wear, but I’m pretty conservative about
these things, so I wear the traditional black master’s
gown. In addition, I wear an academic hood, which
signifies the Master of Arts degree, in my case, in English
and symbolizes my additional duties as catechist and
teacher.
The third and most important impression is the theme of
service. The office of verger has gone through many
phases over the ages, but this theme of service to the
clergy in the conduct of the worshiping life of an active
parish or cathedral has been a constant. Along the way
he has been the janitor, as well as the leader of the daily
offices, all in the service of the Rector or Dean.
At St. James’, the Verger, in addition to leading the
procession, assists the Rector in planning the liturgies
and then coordinates the participants, so that the music
and the acolytes and the lay readers, assisted by the Altar
Guild, will make our solemn and joyful liturgy more deeply
meaningful and welcoming to our congregation. Further
the Verger assists in the weekly preparation of the
Bulletin, which is an essential welcoming tool for
newcomers, as well as laying out clearly the Divine
Service for long time Episcopalians.
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The Order of St. Vincent
