The long white linen tunic worn beneath the other vestments as a sign of baptismal purity.
The alb is the common undergarment of all sacred ministers, a full-length tunic of white linen reaching to the feet. Its name comes from the Latin alba, "white," and it signifies the purity of soul with which the minister approaches the altar — the white garment of Baptism made visible. The alb is gathered at the waist with a cord called the cincture. The alb is the first garment a priest puts on before Mass, on top of the soutane (cassock). It is also used in some regions as the garment for altar servers.
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