Surplices and Albs
Date: November 30, 2024
Author: Fr. Edward McNamara, LC
Question: Why do surplices look like shortened albs? Were they always this way? I have seen some with a round top instead of a square one. I have also seen albs and surplices with the top front area (near the neck) that are to be tied together with strings or a small chain, like a cope. Is there any sort of norm for how surplices and albs are to be styled in the U.S.? -- K.K., Austin, Texas
Answer: The surplice, which is a modification of the alb, stems from about the 11th century being first mentioned in a canon of Coyaca, Spain, in 1050, and in an ordinance of Edward the Confessor (1042–66).
It probably originated in medieval France where, during the harsh winter, those singing in choir would prepare for the cold by wearing animal skins. Since this was less than elegant, a wide vesture was developed that was worn over the skin (Old French sourpelis, from medieval Latin superpellicium, from super -- "above" and pellicia -- "fur garment"), eventually becoming our English surplice.
Early surplices were made of white linen or cotton, and reached to the feet like the alb. The sleeves, however, were wider and longer to cover the fur garments, and extended at least 10 inches beyond the fingertips, so producing folds along the arms. The neck-opening was circular for the head to pass through, although sometimes it was open at the front and was fastened with buttons and loops.
As time passed it ceased being reserved for the choir and, worn over the cassock, was permitted to substitute the alb in those ceremonies that did not require wearing a chasuble or dalmatic.
Thus, it became quite common for the administration of the sacraments and at other priestly functions such as baptisms, Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament, for choir and in processions. Indeed, it was used almost everywhere except as a Eucharistic vestment for Mass.
From the 16th century onward, this vestment became shorter. It usually reached the knees but, in some places, it became so short that it reached only to the thigh.
Since it substituted the alb, the surplice has always been white. 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.
The surplice has also been used by non-clerics, for example, adults and children who serve at the altar. With respect to altar servers, especially children, the customs regarding servers' albs or cassocks have been flexible and allow for several colors and forms while the surplice has remained basically white.
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 adult and child altar servers.
The surplice should be distinguished from the rochet, which is a similar garment used by bishops and other prelates. The rochet is worn under the mozzetta and over the cassock. It is a white linen vestment resembling a surplice except that it has close fitting sleeves rather than the wide ones of the surplice.
Current liturgical law regarding the use of the surplice is found in several liturgical books.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says the following regarding sacred vesture of ministers at Mass:
"114. For it is preferable that priests who are present at a Eucharistic Celebration, unless excused for a good reason, should as a rule exercise the office proper to their Order and hence take part as concelebrants, wearing the sacred vestments. Otherwise, they wear their proper choir dress or a surplice over a cassock."
“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).”
Other documents, such as the Ceremonial of Bishops, indicate that the master of ceremonies usually uses a surplice over his cassock, and the other ritual books mostly allow for the use of surplice and cassock as an alternative to the alb.
Although there may be some local diocesan norms regarding the style and cut of surplices and other liturgical vestments, there are no actual universal rules. It is basically up to the personal choice of the minister which kind of surplice he uses.
Pope Francis has been critical of some priests who seem to be attached to what he termed “grandmother’s laces,” probably referring to almost transparent albs and surplices common in earlier times. With this he recommended the use of the plainer styles more common today, but he didn’t establish any legal prohibitions.
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