Crucifer is a Latin word meaning cross-bearer, used for the acolyte who carries the cross in a church procession It is an ancient custom for the clergy and the other ministers to enter the church after the worshipers have already assembled When this is done in a procession, the procession is led by the crucifer, usually a young person, bearing the cross The crucifer is followed by the choir, the acolytes, the lay ministers, and finally the clergy; the highest-ranking clergy last
a person in a religious procession who bears the cross and who leads the procession into the church
A person in a religious procession who carries a large cross (a processional cross), and leads the procession into the church and the recession out of the church