Specially-designed albs blessed for altar servers

BELIZE

In a special evening Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (October 7), the Mt Carmel Parish in Benque Viejo del Carmen, introduced the new garb for altar servers. These albs were specifically designed for the parish, in a monastic style, the colours of Our Lady of Mt Carmel: light-cream and brown, and  lightweight for the climate there. Each alb was hand-sewn with love and prayers by the Poor Clares (Las Clarisas) in their monastery in Chetumal, Mexico.

The Christian Herald reported that as a key part of the growth and development of the altar servers, the diocese wants its young men to have a clear sense of identity and unity in service.

“We want to give them the opportunity to serve with dignity and commitment,” it said. As they advance in service, they will transition from a white to a brown cincture, with the later addition of a server crucifix with brown cord.

In the Mass, the young men and their new albs were blessed, they made their promises as altar servers, then prayed the Memorare as a group. Each received a brown rosary.

“Mothers were seen with tears as they witnessed their sons process into the church for this celebration,” the diocesan monthly said.

It stated that in the process of trying sample albs, measuring, making modifications along the way, the reaction of these young men from primary school age through college has been the same: a spontaneous joy and excitement.