The Difference

between a

Surplice and an

Alb

The days of wondering and bewilderment are over for you,

because from this point forward, you will no longer be able

to feign plausible deniability when the question arises and

a heated debate ensues.

From this point forward, you will be the officiator of the debate, for you, yourself, will

hold the keys to the answer of the enduring question: What is the difference

between a surplice and an alb.

They’re both white garments, but the difference ends there. Actually, we’re just

kidding. The difference ends there. There is really only one difference between

them, and that has to do with the length, although there are some subtle

differences between the people that wear them and when. So, with no further ado,

here’s what gives:

- Is a long, white liturgical garment, often made from linen or other cloth

material, that reaches to the ankles.

- It has to be white, or it isn’t an alb. That’s the point. In fact, it’s very name

comes from this (alba means white in Latin)

- Sometimes albs are decorated or accented with liturgical lace and other

ornamentations.

Who wears an alb?

- As a general rule, only priests wear the alb, and they

only do so when they are officiating certain services.

- Members of the Roman Catholic Church are those who

most frequently wear the alb, although some members of

the Anglican church do as well. There are some

Protestant denominations that wear them, but this is less

common.

The Surplice:

- Is a white liturgical garment, often made from linen or

other cloth material; but it reaches onto the hips or a little

bit farther - not to the ankles. If it did it would be an alb.

- Surplices often have a square yoked neck and wide

sleeves.

- Surplices are also white.

- Like albs, they can be decorated with lace or other

features.

Who wears a surplice?

-Choristers and choir members can wear a surplice.

-It is also common for acolytes and altar servers to wear

this particular garment.

-- Sometimes priests wear it over a cassock.

In case you need it spelled out for you in utterly unambiguous terms, the difference

between a surplus and an alb is fundamentally in the length. A surplice reaches to

the hips or a little further, and an alb reaches to the ankles. In color, design,

ornamentation and construction they are otherwise the same.

If you have additional questions, or you just want to see

what types of albs and surplices you can find for sale,

check out the collection you can find for sale online at

DivinityClergyWear.com.

Divinity Clergy Wear, operating on their website listed

above and in their showroom in Hamilton, New Jersey, will

be your best asset when you’re shopping, either liturgical

vestments themselves or for information about them. Check

out their website today or give them a call at 877-453-3535

to learn more today.

Phone: +1 877-453-3535 Email: Help@DivinityClergyWear.com