The following list is a response to the numerous requests for title recommendations of publications relating to liturgy, acolyting, and lay sanctuary ministries. We cannot keep track of retail pricing or availability. Not all books will fit your style of ceremony or purposes, so we do not recommend any one book over another. If possible, review each book personally before buying.


The Book of Common Prayer
Every warden and everyone who is involved in ministry of the sanctuary should have their own copy of the BCP to use on a daily basis, study, or mark-up at will. They are available in many sizes, styles, and quality. Your parish might even have some "well worn" copies in storage that are no longer suitable for the congregation's use but could still have value as "working copies." Why not put them to use?

A Manual for Acolytes 95 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-8192-1272-5)
Rev. Dennis Michno
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
Probably considered the "standard" instructional text for acolytes and acolyte wardens

You Are an Acolyte 32 p. illustrated
Forward Movement Publications
Cincinnati, OH
A wonderful little primer and a great giveaway for about $1.30 each

Serving Basics (for acolytes and other lay sanctuary ministers) 48 p. illustrated
The International Order of St. Vincent
126 Coming St., Charleston, SC 29403
Soon to be released general manual for all servants of the sanctuary. Issued to all OSV members.

Servers and Services 127 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-919891-41-1)
Greg S. Dunn
Anglican Book Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
An excellent book...although Canadian Anglican, solid on liturgy, well explained and illustrated

The New Complete Server 57 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-8192-1649-6)
Rev. Christopher Heller
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
A nice, moderate sized primer. It'll get acolytes going with basic information and procedures

St. Stephan's Handbook for Altar Servers 64 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-85244-277-7)
Edward Matthews
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
Another little primer that's worth looking at. A little bit Roman with a few Papal references.

Book of Occasional Services 268 p.
The Church Publishing Corp., New York, NY
An official Episcopal Church "how to"manual

The Prayer Book Rubrics EXPANDED 235 P.
Bryon D. Stuhlman
The Church Publishing Corp.

Commentary on the American Prayer Book 675 p. (ISBN 0-06-063554-1)
Marion J. Hatchett
Harper Collins, San Francisco, CA
Explanations of the changes, text, and structure of the new Prayer Book

The Ceremonies of the Eucharist 240 p. (ISBN 0-936384-83-2)
Howard E. Galley
Cowley Publications, Cambridge, MA

The Liturgy Explained 48 p., a few rudimentary drawings
Thomas Howard
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
An excellent book for youngsters and newcomers to the church

Understanding the Mass 223 p. (ISBN 0-225-66672-3)
J. D. Crichton
Geoffrey Chapman Distributor, New York, NY

Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the Great Fifty Days (A Ceremonial Guide) 127 p
(ISBN 1-56101-134-7) Leonel L. Mitchell;
Cowley Publications, Cambridge, MA
Acolyte wardens, vergers and Mcs should have this excellent reference book

The Shape of the Liturgy 764 p.
Dom Gregory Dix (an Anglican Benedictine monk and liturgical scholar)A. C. Black Publishing, London (available through the Anglican Book Centre, Toronto, or the book store at most seminaries). This is the most definitive and respected work on the history and makeup of the Eucharist (Mass).

The Ritual Reason Why 239 p.
Charles Walker
A. R. Mobray & Co. Ltd, London, England
This is a very rare book. It is only found through rare-book services such as Anglican Bibliopole.

Ritual Notes 251 p.
E. C. R. Lamburn
The International Anglican Fellowship
5712 Pommel Ct.
West Des Moines, IA 50266
A classic and pre-`70s authority of traditional (high church) liturgical detail

A Priest's Handbook 303 p. (ISBN0-8192-1390-X)
Rev. Dennis G. Michno
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
A wonderful guide to the most common services

A New Dictionary for Episcopalians 180 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-86683-787-6)
Rev. John N. Wall, Jr.
Harper Collins Publishers, San Francisco, CA
If you only have one glossary, this should be it.


Church Words (origins and meanings) 125p (ISBN 0-88028-172-3)
Stephan E. Moore
Forward Movement Publications, Cincinnati, OH

Catholic Customs & Traditions 214 p. (ISBN 0-89622-432-5)
Greg Dues
Twenty Third Publications, Mystic, CT
For anyone questioning why we do things

A Manual for Lay Eucharistic Ministers 92p. (ISBN 0-8192-1573-2)
Beth Wickenberg Ely
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
The "Bible" for L.E.M. 2s. A must have!

Your Voice, God's Word (Reading the Bible in Church) 56 p. (ISBN 0-8192-1438-8)
William Sydnor
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA
Every Lay Reader/Lector should read this book over and over.

The Church Perspective (Standard Lay Reader's Training Course) (ISBN 0-8192-1210-5)
Edmund B. Partridge
Morehouse-Barlow Co., Wilton, CT

Our Christian Symbols 86 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-8298-0099-9)
Friedrich Rest
The Pilgrim Press, New York, NY

Saints, Signs, and Symbols 96 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-8192-1171-0)
W. Ellwood Post
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA

A Working Manual for Altar Guilds 80 p. Illustrated (ISBN 0-8192-1455-8)
Dorothy C. Diggs
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA

The New Altar Guild Book 118 p., illustrated (ISBN 0-8192-1657-7)
Barbara Gent and Betty Sturges
Morehouse Publications, Harrisburg, PA

The Complete Training Course for ALTAR GUILDS 180 p. illustrated (ISBN 0-8192-1593-7)
B. Don Taylor
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA

An Altar Guild Manual 72 p. (ISBN 0-8192-1067-6)
Edith Weir Perry
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg, PA


The Order of St. Vincent is not presently a book distributor (except for its own publications) but is in the process of forming distribution relationships with all of the publishers listed above. Until then, contact your local church book store, national book retail chain, or the publishers directly for prices and shipping information.