Thealb(from the Latinalbus,meaning "white" ) is one of theliturgical vestmentsofWestern Christianity.It is an ample white garment coming down to the ankles and is usually girdled with acincture(a type of belt, sometimes of rope similar to the type used with a monastic habit, such as byFranciscansandCapuchins). It resembles the long, white linentunicused byancient Romans.
As a simple derivative of ordinary first-century clothing, the alb was adopted very early by Christians, and especially by the clergy for theEucharisticliturgy. In early-medieval Europesecular clergyalso normally wore the alb in non-liturgical contexts.[1]
Nowadays, the alb is the common vestment for allministers,bothclericsandlaypersons(acolytes and lectors),[2]atMass.It is worn over thecassock,but underneath any other special vestments, such as thestole,dalmaticorchasuble.If the alb does not completely cover the collar, anamiceis often worn underneath the alb. Shortening of the alb has given rise to thesurplice,and to its cousin therochet,worn bycanonsandbishops.Following theCouncil of Trent(1545-1563), post-Tridentine albs often featuredliturgical lace.Since then, this detail has fallen out of style, except in parts of theAnglo-Catholicmovement[citation needed]and in some very traditionalArab Catholicparishes.[3]
The alb corresponds to the Eastern Orthodoxsticharion.
Variants
editAchasuble-albis a contemporary Eucharistic vestment that combines features of thechasubleand alb. In theRoman Catholic Church,it was first adopted in France, though without official approval. In France it is no longer fashionable, but it has been officially approved in some tropical countries such as thePhilippines,[4]and inHawaiiin theUnited States.[5]It is always white in colour. Astoleof the colour appointed for theMassof the day is worn outside it, in place of the normal white alb and coloured chasuble.
Acassock-albis a vestment that combines features of thecassockand alb. It developed as a more convenient undergarment worn by clergy and as an alternative to the alb for deacons andacolytes.[citation needed]
References
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- ^Piponnier, Françoise, and Perrine Mane;Dress in the Middle Ages;p. 114,Yale University Press;1997;ISBN0-300-06906-5
- ^General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 336https:// vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html#IV._SACRED_VESTMENTS
- ^
Maloof, Allen (1951)."Catholics of the Byzantine-Melkite Rite in the U.S.A."The Eastern Churches Quarterly.9.Ramsgate, Kent: St. Augustine's Abbey: 263.
Genuflections, lace albs and surplices, etc., are common.
- ^Eternal Word Television Network, Global Catholic Networkof January 25, 2003.
- ^Bishop Larry Silva’s Liturgical CatechesisArchived2009-01-08 at theWayback Machineat theHawaii Catholic Herald
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