Saturday, October 6, 2007

Now that you're all comfortable with Tridentine Traditions

.
It's time for some etiquette lessons! Fisheaters.com

Pope

Face-to-face Greeting

Holy Father
Your Holiness
Most Holy Father

Envelope Address

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (abbreviated: H.H. Benedict XVI)

Letter Salutation

Your Holiness
Most Holy Father

Formal Closing

Kissing the Sacred Foot [It's been a while lsince I've seen a photo of this, I must say.]

Abbreviations

His Holiness: H.H.

Other

Kneel on your left knee [Kneeling on the right knee is for God.] 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. [Check first with an informed person; Make sure you don't buy a cheap one, too!]

Cardinal

Face-to-face Greeting

Your Eminence

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 [See note under "Pope" on "Kissing the Sacred Foot."]

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

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

Envelope Address

The Most Reverend John Doe, Bishop of Erewhon

Letter Salutation

Your Excellency
Your Lordship

Formal Closing

Kissing the Sacred Ring [My grandpa used to do this, on his knees, to the wonderment of most.]

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

No comments: