MC garb

[KnightOfSPUD]

I’m a first year philosophy seminarians and I have been chosen be my school chaplain to be the MC during Christmas high masses and Lenten high masses. What should I wear? My chaplaincy’s altar server garb is similar to that of the pope’s street clothes. We don’t use surplices and I’m about to receive the ministry of Acolyte so that I could assist in the distribution of hosts and purification of pyx and ciboria. Could I wear a Roman collar with my cassock and is it necessary for me to wear a surplice? Our cassocks are white because we are in the Philippines, so some organisms wear white cassocks similar to that of the religious habits of some orders in tropical countries.

 

[Neofight]

I suspect you will get a lot of “I think” answers, with few “I know” answers.

You question is better addressed to the staff at your seminary.

 

[TimothyH]

Neofight is correct. The internet cannot tell you what to wear. Ask the chaplain and wear what he tells you.

I wear cassock and surplice because that is what I was told to wear when I became an MC.

-Tim-

 

[ProVobis]

Cassock and surplus (possibly coupled with collar and sash for Christmas, Easter, and Solemn Masses) are usually the standard in the EF.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I’m a first year philosophy seminarians and I have been chosen be my school chaplain to be the MC during Christmas high masses and Lenten high masses. What should I wear? My chaplaincy’s altar server garb is similar to that of the pope’s street clothes. We don’t use surplices and I’m about to receive the ministry of Acolyte so that I could assist in the distribution of hosts and purification of pyx and ciboria. Could I wear a Roman collar with my cassock and is it necessary for me to wear a surplice? Our cassocks are white because we are in the Philippines, so some organisms wear white cassocks similar to that of the religious habits of some orders in tropical countries.

I am a bit reluctant to answer these questions since it comes down, really, to what is normative for your seminary, the decision of your Ordinary, and the provisions made by the national conference of bishops in your country, the determinations of which I do not have at hand. You actually already indicate something exceptional, if you are being installed in the stable ministry of acolyte while still a philosophy seminarian. Plus I think you might be in an institute of consecrated life, if I remember from a previous conversation. If so, the norms of your institute would govern the use of the cassock.

All else being equal, I can say that in all the jurisdictions with which I am acquainted, a diocesan seminarian wearing the cassock would wear the clerical collar with it, whether he has the tropical dispensation or not. It would not be normal in any place with which I am acquainted to serve as a liturgical master of ceremonies while wearing the cassock but without the surplice. A liturgical master of ceremonies and/or an installed acolyte could wear the alb in place of cassock and surplice.

I am reasonably certain that those overseeing your formation will have already made the decision of what you should wear…although, I could foresee that they could allow a seminarian in such a situation as you have described to choose between two options and perhaps that is why you ask.

In any event, I fondly remember when I was first appointed MC so many many years ago. It was a very great blessing to me personally and it opened the door for me to know the liturgy in a singular and profound and practical way years before I was ordained – I had to know it backwards and forwards and with all the possible permutations in my head since I was responsible for guiding and directing the others in the sanctuary. It was a real learning occasion. I pray you will have a truly wonderful experience. God bless you.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

When I became mc I was told that I could wear a cassock with a lace surplice

 

[Gorgias]

All else being equal, I can say that in all the jurisdictions with which I am acquainted, a diocesan seminarian wearing the cassock would wear the clerical collar with it, whether he has the tropical dispensation or not.

Interesting. In my diocese in the U.S., that is not the norm: all seminarians wear cassocks when they serve (in various non-ordained roles) in liturgy, but only seminarians in major seminary wear the clerical collar. (Those who have not yet reached major seminary have an empty collar, with nothing behind the cut-out in the cassock’s collar.) As you say, the answer for the OP is found in the norms for his diocese and community.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

Interesting. In my diocese in the U.S., that is not the norm: all seminarians wear cassocks when they serve (in various non-ordained roles) in liturgy, but only seminarians in major seminary wear the clerical collar. (Those who have not yet reached major seminary have an empty collar, with nothing behind the cut-out in the cassock’s collar.) As you say, the answer for the OP is found in the norms for his diocese and community.

That’s sad. When we had a seminarian come to do a placement in my parish he wore his cassock and surplice