boat boy
Boat boy and boat girl (often boat bearer) are terms used for a junior altar server position found in some Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. The role of a boat boy is to assist the thurifer (the senior server who carries the thurible) during services in which incense is used.
The boat boy carries the boat (a small metal container) which holds the supplies of incense. The boat has a small spoon inside which is used to transfer the grains of incense onto the red-hot charcoals in the thurible. Although at times the boat boy transfers the incense himself, more usually he simply holds the boat open as the priest performs this task.
Whilst the thurifer may carry the boat himself, most thurifers find it more convenient having a boat boy assisting them. The thurifer will usually want the boat boy standing close by on his left - indeed, in some churches it is the custom for the thurifer to rest his left hand on the boat boy's shoulder as he holds or swings the thurible with his right hand.
In current practice, both thurifers and boat bearers may be female - but the term 'boat boy' still remains in common use. Although adults sometimes take on the role of boat bearer, the simplicity of the task makes it ideal for a child.
References
- / Liturgical Customary of the Church of the Advent, Boston - Liturgical Customary for the Thurifer
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