Q: Regarding the sacred vestments, the GIRM 339 says that: “Acolytes, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable attire that has been legitimately approved by the Conference of Bishops,” and GIRM 390 indicates among other adaptations by the Conference of Bishops, “the materials for the altar and sacred furnishings, especially the sacred vessels, and also the materials, form, and colour of the liturgical vestments.”

What is common nowadays for the altar servers is a black or red cassock with a surplis, even for seminarians serving the mass in their seminary.

In other parishes, we can see that the colour of cassocks or “albs” (sic) for altar servers follow the liturgical colour of the celebration: green, violet, red, white, even pink.
Are you aware of any Conference of Bishops that has issued a document adapting or authorising these colours of the liturgical vestments? Any document you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

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A: No, I’m not aware of a conference that has approved these various colors. They’re probably OK as long as the conference hasn’t forbidden them, and as long as people don’t confuse the servers with ordained ministers.

In the US, “acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other appropriate and dignified clothing.” I’m not sure if the conference in your part of Africa has something similar. But as long as it seems appropriate and dignified, it may be fine.

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