Edward Mc Namara, LC
(ZENIT News / Rome, 08.26.2024).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology and director of the Sacerdos Institute at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.
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Q: The Ceremonial of Bishops in No. 65 states that “The vestment common to ministers of every rank is the alb, tied at the waist with a cincture, unless it is made to fit without a cincture. An amice should be put on first if the alb does not completely cover the minister’s street clothing at the neck.” We regularly see altar servers wearing albs or cassocks (green, purple, black, and of “any color”) with a white surplice. Sometimes you might see the so-called alb of the altar servers following the liturgical color of the celebration . I am not sure if this is a lawfully approved vesture by the conference of bishops; sometimes it gives the impression that it is done locally. Is it liturgically allowed? What exactly is the lawful attire for the altar servers? – F.X.N.K., Archdiocese of Ndola, Zambia
A: The norm cited by our reader from the Ceremonial of Bishops has since been incorporated into the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:
“336. The sacred garment common to ordained and instituted ministers of any rank is the alb, to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless it is made so as to fit even without such. Before the alb is put on, should this not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be put on. The alb may not be replaced by a surplice, not even over a cassock, on occasions when a chasuble or dalmatic is to be worn or when, according to the norms, only a stole is worn without a chasuble or dalmatic.
“339. Acolytes, lectors, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture that is lawfully approved by the Conference of Bishops (cf. no. 390).”
This is the overall rule for clerics and instituted ministers. It does not specifically address the case of those who are delegated ministers or of minors who act as altar servers.
Although the liturgical books determine when an alb or chasuble is to be used, they do not actually define or even describe the vestment as such. The law, it would seem, presumes that people know what an alb and surplice is and what forms are traditional — and what forms are not.
For clerics and instituted ministers, the alb is always white, as indicated by its name which derives from the Latin word for white: albus, alba, album.
There have been many changes of style over the centuries and, while remaining white or off-white in color, both alb and surplice have been decorated with different forms of laces and embroideries.
With respect to altar servers, especially children, the customs regarding servers’ albs or cassocks have been flexible and allow for several colors and forms.
For example, in Italy some places use the «Tarcissian.» This is a kind of off-white tunic with two red stripes running from the shoulder to the heel, thus evoking ancient Roman vesture. This vesture is not accompanied by a surplice.
Also, in some Northern European countries such as Poland and the Baltic nations the white surplice, worn over street clothes without the cassock, is often considered as an appropriate vesture for altar servers.
In other places, at least on festive occasions, a colored shoulder cape is also used over the cassock either with or without the white surplice.
Official norms, where they exist, tend to offer general principles and not excessive details.
Thus, the Liturgy Office of the U.S. bishops’ conference has issued the following norms:
“1. Although institution into the ministry of acolyte is reserved to lay men [Pope Francis has since opened these ministries to women – Editor’s note], the diocesan bishop may permit the liturgical functions of the instituted acolyte to be carried out by altar servers, men and women, boys and girls. Such persons may carry out all the functions listed in no. 100 (with the exception of the distribution of Holy Communion) and nos. 187-190 and no. 193 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
“The determination that women and girls may function as servers in the liturgy should be made by the bishop on the diocesan level so that there might be a uniform diocesan policy.
«2. No distinction should be made between the functions carried out in the sanctuary by men and boys and those carried out by women and girls. The term ‘altar boys’ should be replaced by ‘servers.’ The term ‘server’ should be used for those who carry out the functions of the instituted acolyte.
“3. Servers should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out well and with appropriate reverence. They should have already received holy communion for the first time and normally receive the eucharist whenever they participate in the liturgy. […]
“6. Acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate or dignified clothing. (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 339) All servers should wear the same liturgical vesture.”
These norms have been reflected in the guidelines offered by several local bishops, not only in the U.S. but in many other English-speaking countries. We offer four examples from various parts of the U.S.:
— “Vesture: Under normal circumstances, servers should be vested. This is within the tradition of the Church and prevents difficulties regarding appropriate dress for these ministers. The appropriate vesture for servers is the alb, preferably white. (In those parishes where servers are presently vested in cassock and surplice, these guidelines do not imply that a parish immediately replace the cassock and surplice with the alb. However, when the present vesture needs to be replaced, the appropriate vestment to be purchased is the alb.)»
— “Attire — In parishes where there is vesture, a simple white alb reflects the baptismal root of all ministry. It should be clean and properly fit and appropriate socks and footwear should be worn. Cassock and surplice, reminiscent of the clerical state, should not be worn by lay ministers. All servers should wear the same liturgical vesture.”
— “Parishes may wish to consider some form of off-white robe for the use of servers or they may wear a cassock and surplice. A business style of dress may be considered appropriate for adult servers, but all should consider it necessary to dress with the dignity which is befitting the Eucharistic celebration. At all celebrations, servers should be neat, clean, and simply dressed in such a way as not to draw attention to themselves.”
— “Adult Servers should dress with decorum befitting the celebration of Eucharist. A professional style of dress is appropriate, or an alb may be worn. If both adult and youth are serving at the same liturgy all should wear similar attire appropriate to this ministry. Youth Servers should vest in alb or cassock and surplice. Whichever is chosen, there should be an ample supply of sizes to ensure all servers are properly vested in the same way at any given liturgy. At all celebrations, servers should be neat, clean and simply dressed.”
A major Mexican diocese has the following norm (our translation):
“Regarding servers, their vesture should be distinct from liturgical vestments. It is appropriate that there should be tunics reaching the feet and of a color distinct from the clerical black cassock, in accord with the tradition that proposes the use of the little red cassock with surplice for young altar servers. Regarding lay adults, it is enough that they dress in a dignified manner as corresponds to their participation in the liturgical celebration. This applies to cantors, psalmists and lay ministers.”
Another major diocese limits the use of a red or blue cassock with white surplice, or alternatively, a gray or wine-colored tunic, to servers under 13 years old.
From what we have seen, there are some overall principles that offer wide flexibility. We cannot, however, point to any official norms that would say that colored cassocks are forbidden. Likewise, we can say that historically, no matter what color cassock was used for servers, the surplice has practically always been white.
I have never personally observed any effort to coordinate the server’s vesture with the liturgical season, although some are advertised on the Internet. While it might be a custom in some localities, it seems to be an unnecessary and somewhat expensive option.
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Readers may send questions to zenit.liturgy@gmail.com. Please put the word «Liturgy» in the subject field. The text should include your initials, your city and your state, province or country. Father McNamara can only answer a small selection of the great number of questions that have arrived.
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