Alb or Cassock and Surplice?

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What do you all think is more appropriate and what do you think looks better for male altar servers – a white alb or a cassock and surplice?

If you choose the cassock and surplice combination, should the cassock be red or black?

(Ref. GIRM 119: In the sacristy, the sacred vestments for the priest, the deacon, and other ministers are to be prepared according to the various forms of celebration:

*a. For the priest: the alb, the stole, and the chasuble; *

*b. For the deacon: the alb, the stole, and the dalmatic; the dalmatic may be omitted, however, either out of necessity or on account of a lesser degree of solemnity; *

c. For the other ministers: albs or other lawfully approved attire.
 
The reason I limited this to male altar servers is because it would never be appropriate for a woman to be vested in a cassock and surplice in the Catholic Church.

The white alb is the vestment of our baptism. Its use is open to all baptised Catholics. Many times our white baptismal gowns are the first “albs” we wear.

The cassock and alb are limited to Catholic clerics and male religious, but they have a long history of being worn by altar boys and therefore male altar servers for specific uses.
 
When my sons served years ago the black surplice and white cassock always looked so heavenly. My youngest son who was very (energetic) looked so much like an angel with his cas/surp and hands folded so beautifully I wanted to freeze him in that position for years.

I think I have seen the red before at a Mass in Rome. But I don’t remember exactly when or what reason.
 
COLOR DOESN’T MATTER AS LONG AS IT’S THE CASSOCK AND SURPLICE.

SFX
 
It has been too many years, but are there rules for the use of red cassocks? Perhaps for pontifical Masses?
 
I like the black cassock and white surplice.
My sons were both altar servers till they were 16 and wore anything from hooded white or brown to of course my favorite.
I just loved ironing them.:banghead:
 
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BrianDay:
It has been too many years, but are there rules for the use of red cassocks? Perhaps for pontifical Masses?
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The cassocks worn during pontifical Masses are a wine/violet color. I think that technically red cassocks can be worn by servers when a cardinal is celebrating the Mass, but you see them in use in quite a few parishes. Orthodox parishes at that.

Probably much like the black vestments for requiem Masses. They are still allowed, but most choose to wear white…
 
Dear everyone,
Code: 
     I was told that, it doesn't matter if it was either black or red alb but, the only thing is that, the outfit has to have white on them. I don't know why but, can someone tell me why? I was told. I use to be an altar server. I loved doing it. But, I retired last year. I'm about to be 23. I figure that, I would let someone else take my place to be holy. I don't think I'm very holy but, it's pretty awesome serving masses.
                                              Anthony
 
I wonder what the priest would think if I were to show up at daily Mass on Tuesday in one of the old server cassocks and a square-neck surplice. Heheheheheheheh 🤓 It’ll be the first Mass I’ve ever served, come to think of it. Hehe… with any luck, it won’t be my last!
 
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CatholicNerd:
I wonder what the priest would think if I were to show up at daily Mass on Tuesday in one of the old server cassocks and a square-neck surplice. Heheheheheheheh 🤓 It’ll be the first Mass I’ve ever served, come to think of it. Hehe… with any luck, it won’t be my last!
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I think that would be great. Base on the feedback, it appears that the cassock and alb is better and more appropriate grab for an altar server.

This combo might have lost its popularity because we now have female altar servers, and this grab would never be appropriately worn by a female in the Catholic Church. The Lutheran and Anglican Churches, yes, but not the Catholic Church.
 
Did you all know that the Roman collar can be correctly worn by males while they serve Mass? This is very common in some foreign countries, including the Vatican.

The stole is the garment that distinguishes a priest, not the Roman collar. The big problem is if adult male altar server wore Roman collars here in the USA, many would identify them as priests. If young men wore them, many of the less informed might really freak out…
 
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Crusader:
Did you all know that the Roman collar can be correctly worn by males while they serve Mass? This is very common in some foreign countries, including the Vatican.

The stole is the garment that distinguishes a priest, not the Roman collar. The big problem is if adult male altar server wore Roman collars here in the USA, many would identify them as priests. If young men wore them, many of the less informed might really freak out…
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LOL I didn’t know that. What’s your source? Did I miss it in the GIRM? This could be fun! But since I would prefer to live long enough to move into my dorm next week, I will forgo wearing the Roman Collar. :whistle:
 
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CatholicNerd:
LOL I didn’t know that. What’s your source? Did I miss it in the GIRM? This could be fun! But since I would prefer to live long enough to move into my dorm next week, I will forgo wearing the Roman Collar. :whistle:
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The GIRM does not cover this. Nothing however suggests the Roman collar is limited to clerics, at least within the realm of the Mass. But just look at the number of very young (very pre-minor seminary aged) boys who wear the cassock/surplice/Roman collar in photos with JPII.

The stole and not the Roman collar is the marque of a priest. That said, if a non-cleric wore a Roman collar here in the States I’m sure some people would erupt with negative emotions.

In this country on bishops, priests, seminarians, some male religious and some deacons wear the collar.

Keep in mind this is all within the realm of serving Mass – not walking around out on there street where it may well be illegal to wear priestly garb…
 
in my parish the altar servers wear the black cassock and white surplice. but during Christmas and Easter, they where red cassocks.
 
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frdave20:
in my parish the altar servers wear the black cassock and white surplice. but during Christmas and Easter, they where red cassocks.
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That’s a wonderful tradition. It shows that some people go the extra mile…
 
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Crusader:
The GIRM does not cover this. Nothing however suggests the Roman collar is limited to clerics, at least within the realm of the Mass. But just look at the number of very young (very pre-minor seminary aged) boys who wear the cassock/surplice/Roman collar in photos with JPII.

The stole and not the Roman collar is the marque of a priest. That said, if a non-cleric wore a Roman collar here in the States I’m sure some people would erupt with negative emotions.

In this country on bishops, priests, seminarians, some male religious and some deacons wear the collar.

Keep in mind this is all within the realm of serving Mass – not walking around out on there street where it may well be illegal to wear priestly garb…
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Crusader,

I have seen pics of females wearing the cassock and surplice with the Pope as well. Can’t find it now, but I am 100% certain. Do you have something in writing that says this is not correct? I’m asking for my altar servers as we are looking to get new vestments. (Wish we could go all boys, but that battle can’t be won at this time.)

Stu
 
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Stu:
Crusader,

I have seen pics of females wearing the cassock and surplice with the Pope as well. Can’t find it now, but I am 100% certain. Do you have something in writing that says this is not correct? I’m asking for my altar servers as we are looking to get new vestments. (Wish we could go all boys, but that battle can’t be won at this time.)

Stu
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Was JPII visiting an Anglican, Lutheran or other Protestant parish perhaps when the photograph was taken?

The alb is the vestment of all baptised Catholics. The cassock and surplice are vestments of Catholic clergy and male religious, and traditionally they have been loaned to altar boys and seminarians. I don’t see any documentation or other evidence of extending the use of this garb to female altar servers.

Whenever you watch a first-class Catholic Mass on TV – such as at the Basilica of Our Lady National Shine, male acolytes or servers will be vested in cassocks and surplices, while females (if there are any) will be vested in white albs.

Females wearing cassocks and surplices has a very “protestant” ring to me…
 
In the 80’s we used to wear a black cassock / white surplice on weekdays and red cassock / white surplice on Sundays!!

Now its white albs everywhere.
 
What? Something in addition to the white robe?

Parishes that I belong to must not be able to afford anything other than a white robe.

Either that, or our parish’s decision-makers about that kind of thing (like the Bishop?) has made the decision to have just the white robe.

Long as it’s clean and the server is wearing either shoes or, if sandals, socks with their sandals.

I guess… :o
 
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