Editing Surplice (section)

==Roman Catholicism==

In the Roman tradition, the surplice (or "cotta") sometimes features [[liturgical lace]] decoration or embroidered [[bordure]]s.

The surplice is meant to be a miniature [[alb]], the alb itself being the symbol of the white garment received at [[Baptism]]. As such, it is appropriately worn by any [[cleric]], by [[Reader (liturgy)|lectors]] and [[acolytes]], or indeed by [[altar servers]] who are technically standing in for instituted acolytes for any liturgical service. It is often worn, for instance, by [[seminary|seminarians]] when attending [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] and by non-clerical [[choir]]s. It is usually worn over a [[cassock]] and never alone, nor is it ever gathered by a belt or [[cincture]].

It may be worn under a [[Stole (vestment)|stole]] by [[deacons]] and [[priests]] for liturgical ceremonies or the celebration of [[sacrament]]s outside of Mass. On occasion, a [[cope]] is worn over the cassock, surplice and stole.

As part of the choir dress of the clergy, it is normally not worn by [[prelate]]s (the [[pope]], [[cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinals]], [[bishop]]s, [[monsignor]]i, and some [[canon (priest)|canons]])—instead, these clerics wear the [[rochet]], which is in fact a variant of the surplice.

The surplice belongs to the ''vestes sacrae'' (sacred vestments), though it requires no [[benediction]] before it is worn.