CHILD CRUCIFERS

 Responsibilities of a Child Crucifer

A "Crucifer Mom" will assist in vesting and prayers.

  • Preparation

    • Arrives at least 30 minutes before the Liturgy begins wearing dark pants and shoes (for boys, possibly girls) or dark long socks with dark shoes (for girls where dresses).

    • Vests in cassock and cata at least 10 minutes before the Liturgy begins, saying the prescribed prayers while vesting.

    • Stands ready at the back for the procession at least 5 minutes before the Liturgy begins.

  • The Liturgy

    • Leads the procession at the beginning of the service.

    • Kneels, stands, speaks, sings, and prays with proper posture, projection, and position. They serve as an example to the congregation as to how to participate in the Liturgy.

    • Leads the recession at the end of the service.

  • After the Liturgy

    • Returns the processional cross to the proper place near the Altar.

    • Returns vestments to the closet.


Discipleship Focuses for Child Crucifers

One of the key changes to being a CTK Crucifer is that being a crucifer will now have a intentional discipleship component to it. Our clergy and the Crucifer Mom will be involved in training the Crucifers and helping them toward spiritual growth. Serving as Crucifer...

  • ...cultivates a reverence for God. We will treat the role seriously because God is a Holy God, and the Liturgy we are entering His presence.

  • ...develops a liturgical imagination. The Crucifer leads the Church into the very throne room of God. “A little child will lead them…” They will be taught why we do what we do in the Liturgy, and will come away with an understanding that it is because we pierce the veil between heaven and earth.

  • ...encourages Virtue. They will learn to be punctual and reliable. This is a unique opportunity where bodily strength and service of God overlap. Where else in the Church has someone been denied an opportunity to serve with the instructions to “Go and do push-ups!”? Of course, by leading the procession they are learning some of the principles of leadership.


Requirements for Child Crucifers

Serving as a Crucifer is an honor and a responsibility. They personally represent the Church. In the same way that a priest recommits to live his life fully in line with the moral requirements of Scripture, so Crucifers reaffirm their Baptismal commitments toward holiness and prayer as part of their role.

  • CTK Member Commitments

    • Regular Sunday attendance

    • Cell Group participation

    • Regular Attendance in Children’s Catechesis

    • Tithing

  • Rule of Life

    • Pray and Read Bible Daily (typically with their family after dinner and/or before bed on their own)

  • Strength of Mind, Body, and Will

    • They must be able to focus during the entire Liturgy without obvious distraction.

    • They must be strong enough to carry the cross without swaying, kneel properly, and sing loudly.

  • Age and Gender

    • Must be 8-12 years old (exceptions can be made for 7 year olds with high spiritual, emotional, and physical maturity)

    • Can be a boy or girl

      • Traditionally, being a Crucifer was for boys only. There are still good reasons for this. We live in a time where being a boy or girl is confused at the most basic level. We will still retain the traditional separations of roles for men and women, especially those pertaining to the Altar. Since the Crucifer is a child, we have chosen to allow both boys and girls to participate. Keeping with our distinctions of 13 year olds as “Young Adults”, women of 13 years of age will not be able to serve as Crucifers. (This often brings up questions about why. The answers are too involved to give here. We do plan on giving good catechesis on the topic in the future. If you do have questions about this, contact me directly.)