ECCLESIASTICAL FORMS OF ADDRESS FOR CATHOLICS

RECOGNIZED IN THE UNITED STATES



The following are forms of address used by Catholics in letters and in speech. It is perfectly correct for those who are not Catholics to change the conclusion to something such as: "With every good wish to Your Excellency (Eminence, etc.), I am, Sincerely yours, NN.," or even more simply, "With every best wish. Sincerely yours, NN."



THE POPE:

Addressing a letter: His Holiness Pope N___________

Salutation: Most Holy Father; Your Holiness.

Concluding a letter: I have the honor to profess myself with the most profound respect, your Holiness' most obedient and humble servant.

In personal speech: Your Holiness



CARDINALS:

Addressing a letter: His Eminence (Christian name) Cardinal (Surname) (If an archbishop or bishop give title and see)

Salutation: Your Eminence:

Concluding a letter: Asking the blessing of Your Eminence, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ, N.

In personal speech: Your Eminence





ARCHBISHOPS:

Addressing a letter: Most Reverend N

______

N

_____

,Archbishop

of

___________

Salutation: Your Excellency:

Concluding a letter: Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ, N.

In personal speech: Your Excellency





PATRIARCHS, EASTERN:

Addressing a letter: His Beatitude the Patriarch of

_______

or, His Beatitude the Lord (Christian name) Patriarch of

_______

Salutation: Your Beatitude:

Concluding a letter: Asking Your Beatitude's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully

in Christ, NN.

In personal speech: Your Beatitude

PATRIARCHS, LATIN TITULAR, AND NUNCIOS:

Addressing a letter: His Excellency the Patriarch (Archbishop) of

______

or His Excellency Monsignor N, Patriarch (Archbishop) of

______



Salutation: Most Reverend Excellency; Your Excellency:

Concluding a letter: Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully, NN.

In personal speech: Your Excellency.





BISHOPS:

Addressing a letter: Most Reverend N

______

N

______



Bishop of

______



Salutation: Your Excellency; Your Excellency:

Concluding a letter: Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully, NN.

In personal speech: Bishop





ABBOTS:

Addressing a letter: Right Reverend N

______

N

______

(adding letters designating his Order) Abbott of

______

Salutation: Right Reverend Abbot:

Concluding a letter: Yours respectfully in Christ, NN.

In personal speech: Father Abbot





PROTONOTARIES APOSTOLIC, DOMESTIC PRELATES AND VICARS GENERAL:

Addressing a letter: Rt. Rev. Msgr. N

______

N

______



Salutation: Right Reverend Monsignor:

Concluding a letter: Yours respectfully in Christ, NN.

In personal speech: Monsignor





PAPAL CHAMBERLAINS:

Address on envelope: Very. Rev. Msgr. N

______

N

______



Salutation: Very Reverend Monsignor:

Concluding a letter: Yours respectfully in Christ, NN.

In personal speech: Monsignor





SECULAR PRIESTS:

Address on envelope: Rev. N

______

N

______

or

Father N

______

Salutation: Dear Father:

Concluding a letter: Respectfully yours in Christ, NN.

In personal speech: Father





(Note: Priests as a group object to being addressed either in a salutation or in personal speech as "Reverend N

______

."

"Father" is the preferred form.)





RELIGIOUS ORDER PRIESTS:

Address on envelope: Rev. N

______

N

______

(adding letters designating his Order.)

Salutation: Dear Father:

Concluding a letter: Respectfully yours in Christ, NN

In personal speech: Father







BROTHERS:

Address on envelope: Brother N

______

(adding initials designating his Order.)

Salutation: Dear Brother N

______

Concluding a letter: Respectfully yours in Christ, NN

In personal speech: Brother





SISTERS:

Address on envelope: Sister N

______



Salutation: Dear Sister N

______

Concluding a letter: Respectfully yours in Christ, NN

In personal speech: Sister





MOTHER SUPERIOR (or MOTHER GENERAL):

Addressing a letter: The Reverend Mother Superior (General), Convent of

______

or, The Reverend Mother N

______

(adding initials of her Order.)

Salutation: Dear Reverend Mother:

Concluding a letter: Respectfully yours,

In personal speech: Mother