120 Years of the Guild
Last Friday evening, the Guild returned to its starting point, to what is now, the chapel at Sacred Heart High School in Hammersmith London. It was here 120 years ago, that Fr Hamiliton MacDonald, started what would become our organisation, the Guild of St Stephen, training (then) boys in the art of Altar Service. It is also 100 years since the Central Council started meeting, to manage the affairs of the Guild.
A special plaque adorns the Sanctuary of the chapel, placed there on the occasion of the Guilds 50th year in 1955 by Bishop Craven and the then Central Council of the Guild, identifying it its the birthplace.
With Cardinal Nichols in Rome with King Charles, we were pleased to welcome Bishop Paul McAleenan in his stead to celebrate a beautiful, candlelit Mass with the members of the Central Council, members of the school community and other Guild members.
The bishop commented in his homily,
“No doubt Fr MacDonald was stirred by the Holy Spirit, to what was perceived as a need, he didn’t just wake up one morning and say, ‘oh I think I’ll start a Guild for Altar Servers!” There is a need, it is perceived, something was recognised, “this is what we need”.
Such a success, that it immediately caught the imagination of the hierarchy, the Guild flourished and spread, and it appealed to so many, ‘here is precisely what is needed’, it was said. There is one on the Sanctuary, in close proximity to the Blessed Sacrament, that knows what they are doing. A movement that has a sense of sacredness at the centre.”
The members of the Central Council of the Guild
After Mass there was a brief address by the school historian, who, while researching and restoring the glory of various aspects of the Grade 2* listed building, including soon, the chapel itself, has been trying to answer the question ‘why was the Guild of St Stephen started here?’. That answer deserves its own article!
Thanks to everyone who came, especially the school for allowing us access to the chapel and being so hospitable. The Guild is going from strength to strength, rebuilding for the modern church.
Read the Homily, the address of the National Director of the Guild and photos from the Mass and Dinner below.
