Altar Boy Clothes/outfit

[OutinChgoburbs]

It isn’t just the cassock and surplice versus alb and cinture debate (although I like the look of the former- just a little more polished). I like albs CLEAN, and when they’re worn out, get new ones, budget for them! Yes, they do wear out over time, and should not have a gray or yellow cast to them. While you’re at it, wash the cintures, too. Some o those kids look as if they snatched their cintures from a clothesline or flagpole.

And if the parish is going to have albs, make sure a server dress code is in force for sure. I’ve seen too many flip-flops, a skin-tight tank suit (neon green on a boy!), pouffy skirts that make the alb stick out, and an assortment of wrist bands in neon colors.

 

[Psalm45_9]

When I serve, I prefer the Cassock and Surplice over the Alb and Cinture. I feel more like I served mass in the Cassock and Surplice.

 

[CathMass]

I believe cassock and surplice are the best ones. Only males should wear them however.
For females I think albs are appropriate however they could throw on a veil.

 

[Diaconia]

We use albs here at my parish, with the correct liturgical color cincture and a wooden cross.

Where boys & girls serve together, I think it would be preferable to use an alb rather than cassock & surplice.

Incidently, the reason many of the albs have a hood is that they were fashioned after monastic & mendicant habits.

I would guess that the majority of areas settled in the US were by Franciscans, which might be a cause of their wide-spread use.

In the UK much more likely to see cassock & surplice, or even cassock & cotta (rounded collar surplice).

Albs are proper vesture for any baptised person - (in fact the funeral pall is reminiscent of the white garment that the deceased put-up during their baptism). That’s why they are more appropriate when boys & girls serve together.

Cassocks & surplices are proper vesture for seminarians, deacons, priests & bishops. To the extend that acolytes (not the same thing as servers) are used, they also could wear a cassock & surplice. Since girls cannot be acolytes (installed) nor can they be called to sacred orders, it is not appropriate for them to wear cassocks & surplices.

Most deacons & priests don’t wear cassocks because they are choir attire. Chanting the Liturgy of the Hours would be done in choir dress. Mass requires an alb, stole and (dalmatic) or chasuble.

And parents, be sure and get your children who are serving Mass there with plenty of time to spare. So many kids are dropped off fives minutes before Mass (through no fault of their own, they can’t drive themselves).

Thanks to all our young people who serve at the Lord’s Table!

 

[ehanway]

I definitely prefer the cassock & surplice! Funny thing is in our parish there is one of the servers called a Master of Ceremonies that wears the cassock & surplice while the other two servers wear the white robe. The MC is like the senior server and does things the others don’t.
Anyone else have MC’s in their parish? I had never seen one until I had attended this parish.
-Elizabeth

 

[heymoo]

I’ve never seen a MC as you’ve described. At our Military Parrish, the early Mass is for the youth, all kinds of distractions there, but the noon Mass is very Traditional. Our Polish Priest allows only altar boys and they dress in either black and white or red and white, they kneel on the steps of the altar during consecration and 2-3 or them ring the bells. It is so awesome! I think all Parrishes should return to this, it draws you into the Mass more deeply when reverent traditions are observed.