Altar server clothing

  • Thread starter Thread starter CFI
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CFI said:
In a parish church that I attend sometimes, altar servers (both boys and girls) wear their own clothing, without any liturgical vests. I think that it is a good idea. They are children, not clergies.
What do you think about?
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As far as I know, altar servers are to wear special vestments. Now, I don’t know if there is a canon law associated with this, but it is my understanding that they are supposed to cover themselves with server vestments.

I think it is tacky for servers NOT to wear server vestments.
 
bpbasilphx said:
Assuming, of course, that the parish has money to buy them.
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If the albs are unavailable, unattainable, soiled, frayed, yellowed, at the cleaners, fit only one of the servers, or something like that, I don’t know of a reason why servers who come to Mass actually dressed for Mass couldn’t still serve. It is better to wear street clothes appropriate for Mass than to wear an alb that isn’t fit for use at the altar. It isn’t that an alb is required for a server to be “valid matter” to serve the function, or something like that. An alb (or cassock and surplice, of course) in good condition is more fitting than for the function than street clothes, but it isn’t absolutely necessary.
 
EasterJoy said:
Adults don’t need such garments when serving–indeed, should not wear them, lest they be confused with clergy–but if a parish is going to use children as servers, garments that set them apart based on their special role are absolutely appropriate.
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Why not? An alb is not a childish thing (even priests wear them). I prefer cassocks, by far, but still, if albs are what you have, they by all means, all servers should wear “lawfully approved gesture” (cassock/surplice or alb).
 
I know that if someone doesn’t show up for the early Mass at my parish, and the sacristan can’t find anyone to serve, she’ll put on an alb and cincture and serve. I think that if she didn’t put on the server attire, then it would look kind of odd to have one or two vested server(s) and one not vested. Also, it looks more reverent/appropriate if they are vested.
 
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