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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

When meeting a Pope or bishop...



This is long overdue and thanks to Josemaria for reminding me of this one.

How do we show respect to the Pope.

Thanks to Fisheaters for the table below.


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Latin Catholic

Pope
Face-to-face Greeting
Holy Father
Your Holiness
Most Holy Father
Envelope Address
His Holiness, Pope John Paul II (abbreviated: H.H. John Paul II)
Letter Salutation
Your Holiness
Most Holy Father
Formal Closing
Kissing the Sacred Foot [although this has been discontinued since the time of Paul VI.  Kissing of the Ring is now the protocol]
Abbreviations
His Holiness: H.H.
Other
Kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, bow at the waist and proceed. Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Women should have their heads covered and be dressed in black (only Queens wear white in the Pope's presence); men must remove their hats in his presence. Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.

Note: If you'd like a very nice papal souvenir, bring a brand new white zucchetto with you when meeting the Pope. His Holiness will trade his for yours.
Cardinal
Face-to-face Greeting
Your Eminence
Your Grace (British)
Envelope Address
His Eminence, John Cardinal Doe, Archbishop of Erewhon
("Cardinal" goes between first and last names)
Letter Salutation
Most Revererend Eminence
Most Eminent Cardinal
Formal Closing
Kissing the Sacred Purple
Abbreviations
His Eminence: H.E.;
Eminence: Emus. (Eminentissimus)
Other
Kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, bow at the waist and proceed (do not do either if the Pope is present). Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.
Patriarch
Face-to-face Greeting
Your Beatitude
Envelope Address
His Beatitude
Letter Salutation
Your Beatitude
Other
Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. When it is your own Patriarch, kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, or if he is not your own Patriarch, bow at the waist and kiss his ring (do not do either if the Pope is present). Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.
Archbishop/Primate
Face-to-face Greeting
Your Excellency
Your Grace (British)
Envelope Address
The Most Reverend John Doe, Archbishop of Erewhon
Letter Salutation
Your Excellency
Formal Closing
Kissing the Sacred Ring
Abbreviations
Archieps. (Archiepiscopus), or Arch.
Other
Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. When it is your own Archbishop, kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, or if he is not your own Archbishop, bow at the waist and kiss his ring (do not do either if the Pope is present). Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.
Bishop
Face-to-face Greeting
Your Excellency
My Lord Bishop (British)
Your Lordship (British)
Envelope Address
The Most Reverend John Doe, Bishop of Erewhon
The Right Reverend John Doe, Bishop of Erewhon (British)
Letter Salutation
Your Excellency
Your Lordship
Formal Closing
Kissing the Sacred Ring
Abbreviations
Ep., Epus. (Episcopus)
Other
Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. When it is your own Bishop, kneel on your left knee and kiss ring as sign of respect for his office. If kneeling would be awkward or impossible, or if he is not your own Bishop, bow at the waist and kiss his ring (do not do either if the Pope is present). Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.
Monsignor
Face-to-face Greeting
Monsignor
Envelope Address
The Very Right Reverend Monsignor Doe
The Reverend Monsignor John Doe
Letter Salutation
Dear Monsignor
Abbreviations
Right Reverend Father: RR. (for Reverendissimus)
Other
Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. Repeat reverential gestures when leaving his presence.
Priest
Face-to-face Greeting
"Father," "Reverend Father," or "Your Reverence." Though it is common, it's not proper to address a priest using his first name, as in "Hi, Father John!"
Envelope Address
The Reverend Father John Doe
Letter Salutation
Dear Father 
Reverend and Dear Father Doe
Abbreviations
Father: F. or Fr.
Fathers, Plural: FF.
Reverend Father: Rev. Fr. (or "R.P." for Reverendus Pater)
Other
Stand when he enters the room and remain standing until he invites you to sit. Men must remove their hats in his presence. If a priest visits your home, it is customary to ask for his blessing; the simple words, "Father, bless" are fine. When blessed by a priest, kneel on both knees until he is finished. It is also customary for many people, especially those in Latin cultures, to kiss the priest's hand to honor the Eucharist, as they alone are able to consecrate (unless the Pope is present).
Deacon
Face-to-face Greeting
Deacon
Envelope Address
Reverend Mr Deacon
Letter Salutation
Dear Mr. Deacon
Abbot
Face-to-face Greeting
Father Abbot
Envelope Address
Right Reverend John Doe, (Initials of Order)
Ex. Right Reverend Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations
Abbot: Ab.
Letter Salutation
Dear Right Reverend Father
Dear Abbot
Brother
Face-to-face Greeting
Brother
Envelope Address
Brother John Doe, (Initials of Order)
Ex. Brother Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations
Br. or Bro.
Letter Salutation
Dear Brother
Mother Superior
Face-to-face Greeting
Reverend Mother
Envelope Address
The Reverend Mother Jane Doe, (Initials of Order)
Ex. The Reverend Mother Jane Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations
Rev. Mother
Letter Salutation
Dear Reverend Mother
Sister
Face-to-face Greeting
Sister
Envelope Address
Sister Jane Doe, (Initials of Order)
Ex. Sister Jane Doe, O.S.D.
Abbreviations
Sr. (for Soror)
Letter Salutation
Dear Sister
Dear Sister Jane Doe

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