New Vestments Given for Acolytes

As you may have noticed, our parish acolytes are wearing new vestments: white albs with rope cinctures. Sixteen new albs and rope cinctures for the acolytes of Grace-St. Luke's were recently given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the ministries exercised by the youth of the parish.

Albs are tradtionally more appropriate for use at celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, while the black cassocks with overlaid white cottas worn for years by our acolytes were actually a carry-over from earlier days, when principal Sunday gatherings included the office of Morning Prayer. Albs are reminiscent of the robes worn within the life of the Church by new converts to the faith at their baptisms during the Easter Vigil; thus, these vestments associate more closely for us the rite of Holy Baptism to Holy Eucharist.

The new albs mean that Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, and clergy now wear a common vestment. This symbolizes our equality within the sight of God and in service at God's table.

The albs join the new set of simple green clergy vestments for Ordinary Time also recently given in honor of and thanksgiving for the ministry of the Grace-St. Luke's Altar Guild.