Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. Ecclesiology (from Greek grc ἐκκλησίᾱ ekklēsiā, "congregation church" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the An honorific is a word or expression that conveys esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord". Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people In English, it is abbreviated Msgr. or Mons. In French, it is abbreviated Mgr (without the period/full stop).

As a form of address, "Monsignor" is not itself an appointment (properly speaking, one cannot be "made a monsignor" nor can one be "the monsignor of a parish"). Its use is connected with honorary titles. The three titles most often seen in connection with the style "monsignor" are Protonotary Apostolic, Prelate of Honor and Chaplain of His Holiness. These honors are bestowed upon a priest by the Pope, most often through the instrumentality of the local bishop. History See also History of the Papacy Catholics recognize the Pope as a successor to Saint Peter, who Jesus named as the "shepherd" and

Ceremonial and written use of the title

In some countries, Monsignor (or its foreign language equivalent) is the usual style of address for all higher prelates of the Catholic Church, including bishops and archbishops, while in others (particularly English-speaking countries) it is used only for priests who have received certain specific honors. The written form of address for a priest-monsignor is: "the Reverend Monsignor (last name)", and the spoken form of address is: "Monsignor (last name)".

History

Protonotaries apostolic

Generic coat of arms of a protonotary apostolic: amaranth galero with 12 scarlet tassels. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people Amaranth is a Reddish rose Color that is a representation of the color of the Flower of the Amaranth plant A galero (pl galeri; L galerum, pl galera) in the Roman Catholic Church is a large broad-brimmed tasseled hat worn

Main article: Protonotary apostolic

A protonotary apostolic is a member or honorary member of the Roman Curia. In the Roman Catholic Church, protonotary apostolic ( Latin protonotarii apostolicii) is the title for a member of the highest non-episcopal college of The word prothonotary is recorded in English since 1447 as "principal clerk of a court" from L The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church, together with the Pope In ancient Rome there were seven regional notaries. With the development of the papal administration, these seven became the palace notaries of the papal chancery. The Chancery of Apostolic Briefs (also known as the Papal, Apostolic or Roman Chanc(ellery) is a former office of the Roman Curia, merged into In the Middle Ages the protonotaries were very high papal officials, often raised directly from this office to the cardinalate, but their importance gradually diminished. A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official usually a bishop, of the Catholic Church.

Since the sixteenth century the popes had appointed honorary and titular protonotaries. On 8 February 1838, Pope Gregory XVI re-established the college of real protonotaries with seven members called protonotarii de numero participantium or numerary protonotaries. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1838 ( MDCCCXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Pope Gregory XVI ( September 18 1765 &ndash June 1 1846) born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of Numerary is a civil designation for persons who are incorporated in a fixed or permanent way to a society or group regular member of the working staff permanent staff or member distinguished They were known as participating protonotaries because they shared in the revenues of the Roman Chancery. Pope Pius X legislated four classes of protonotary in 1905, three of which were purely honorary designations. Saint Pius X ( Latin: Pius PP X) ( June 2, 1835 &mdash August 20, 1914) born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the A protonotary apostolic was entitled to wear the vestments of a bishop ("pontificals") under certain circumstances.

Papal chamberlains

Main article: Papal chamberlain

The title of Papal Chamberlain (Cameriere di spada e cappa) was one of the highest honours that could be bestowed on a Catholic layman by the Pope, and was often given to members of noble families. The Papal Gentlemen, also called the Gentlemen of His Holiness, are the attendants of the Pope and his papal household in Vatican City. A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary (see Hereditary titles) or for a lifetime It was mostly an honorary position, but a chamberlain served the Pope for one week per year during official ceremonies. Alfred E. Smith and Franz von Papen were among the more famous modern chamberlains. Alfred Emanuel Smith Jr, known in private and public life as Al Smith, ( December 30, 1873 - October 4, 1944) was elected Governor (29 October 1879 2 May 1969 was a German nobleman Catholic monarchist Politician, General Staff officer and Diplomat

Reform

A number of changes in the office of Monsignor were introduced by Pope Paul VI's motu proprio Pontificalis Domus of 28 March 1968. Pope A motu proprio ( Latin "on his own impulse" is a document issued by the Pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Before these reforms, the monsignori or lesser prelates were divided into at least 14 different grades, including domestic prelates, four kinds of protonotaries apostolic, four kinds of papal chamberlains, and at least five types of papal chaplains. In the Roman Catholic Church, protonotary apostolic ( Latin protonotarii apostolicii) is the title for a member of the highest non-episcopal college of The Papal Gentlemen, also called the Gentlemen of His Holiness, are the attendants of the Pope and his papal household in Vatican City. ^[1]

After these reforms, Apostolic Protonotaries were classified either de numere or supernumerary. Chamberlains and chaplains have been grouped together as chaplains, a specifically priestly-sounding category. Papal Chamberlains used to be appointed only for the lifetime of the Pope, so that the appointment had to be obtained anew from his successor. Whether this distinction remains for chaplains is disputed. ^[2]

amaranth galero with 12 violet tassels.

As a result Monsignori are now classed into the following three ranks, in descending order of precedence:

• Apostolic Protonotaries retained two types:
  • de numero (the highest and least common form, customarily only seven)
  • supernumerary (the highest grade of monsignor found outside Rome)
• Honorary Prelates of His Holiness (formerly "Domestic Prelate")
• Chaplains of His Holiness (formerly "Papal Chamberlain" or "Privy Chaplain" or "Secret Chaplain", a direct but misleading translation of the Latin that is better rendered "Private Chaplain")

One year later, an Instruction of the Secretariat of State simplified the dress and the forms of address. A prelate is a high-ranking member of the Clergy who either is an Ordinary or ranks in precedence with ordinaries A chaplain is typically a Priest, Pastor, ordained Deacon, Rabbi, Imam or other member of the Clergy serving a group of The Secretariat of State is the oldest Dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. Papal Chamberlains were formerly called "Very Reverend Monsignor" and the higher ranks "Right Reverend Monsignor". In the reform this was simplified to prescribe for all the form "Reverend Monsignor", often reduced simply to "Monsignor". Only the Apostolic Protonotaries de numero were styled "Most Reverend Monsignor," the same style as when addressing bishops. ^[3]

The dress of Monsignori was also simplified.

• Chaplains of His Holiness use a purple-trimmed black cassock with purple sash for all occasions.
• Honorary prelates use a red-trimmed black cassock with purple sash for all occasions. The red is the same shade as that used by bishops. They may use a purple cassock as their choir dress for liturgical events of special solemnity. In English-speaking countries, they sometimes add the letters, "P. H. "
• Supernumerary Apostolic protonotaries dress the same as Honorary Prelates. As an additional privilege, they have the option of also using a purple ferraiuolo, a silk cape worn with the red-trimmed black cassock for non-liturgical events of special solemnity (for instance, graduations and commencements). The ferraiolo or ferraiuolo is a type of Cape traditionally worn by Clergy in the Roman Catholic Church on formal non-liturgical occasions In English-speaking countries, they sometimes add the letters, "P. A. " (for Protonotarius Apostolicus) after their names.
• Apostolic Protonotaries de numero (and other superior prelates of the offices of the Roman curia who are not bishops) have the same dress as other Apostolic Protonotaries, but wear the mantelletta in choir and a black biretta with a red tuft. A mantelletta, Italian diminutive of Latin mantellum 'mantle' is a sleeveless knee-length vest-like garment open in front with slits instead of sleeves on the sides fastened The biretta is a square Cap with three or four ridges or peaks sometimes surmounted by a tuft traditionally worn by Roman Catholic clergy and some Anglican

Generic coat of arms of a Chaplain of His Holiness: black galero with 12 violet tassels.

The numerary protonotaries continue the work of the College of Protonotaries and still perform certain duties with regard to papal documents. A number of other superior prelates of the Roman Curia are also treated equivalent to apostolic protonotaries de numero, if they are not also bishops. The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Roman Catholic Church, together with the Pope These include the auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota, the four clerics of the Apostolic Camera, and a few others. The Tribunal of the Rota Romana or the Sacred Roman Rota is the highest appellate tribunal of the Latin Rite and several of the Eastern Catholic Churches Together, this group of clergy are called the prelati di mantelletta or prelates of the mantelletta because of their distinctive attire.

Laymen holding a post equivalent to "Papal Chamberlain" today are styled "Gentlemen of His Holiness" and wear a golden chain or collar similar to that worn by the previous papal chamberlains. The Papal Gentlemen, also called the Gentlemen of His Holiness, are the attendants of the Pope and his papal household in Vatican City.

Other Monsignori

Under legislation of Pope Pius X, vicars general and vicars capitular (the latter are now called diocesan administrators) are titular (not actual) Protonotaries durante munere, i. Saint Pius X ( Latin: Pius PP X) ( June 2, 1835 &mdash August 20, 1914) born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the A vicar general (often abbreviated VG) is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority A vicar capitular is a provisional Ordinary of a Roman Catholic Particular church. e. as long as they held those offices, and so are entitled to be addressed as Monsignor. ^[4]

The only privileges of dress that Pope Pius X granted them were a black silk fringed sash, black piping on the biretta with a black tuft,^[5] and a black mantelletta. A mantelletta, Italian diminutive of Latin mantellum 'mantle' is a sleeveless knee-length vest-like garment open in front with slits instead of sleeves on the sides fastened As a result of this they were in some countries referred to as "black protonotaries. "^[6] However, "Pontificalis domus" of Paul VI removed this position from the Pontifical Household, even though the title of "monsignor", which is to be distinguished from a prelatial rank, has not been withdrawn from vicars general, as can be seen, for instance, from the placing of the abbreviated title "Mons. " before the name of every member of the secular (diocesan) clergy listed as a vicar general in the Annuario Pontificio. The Annuario Pontificio ( Italian for Pontifical Yearbook) is the annual directory of the Holy See. (Honorary titles such as that of "Monsignor" are not considered appropriate for religious. )

The Secretariat of State has set minimum qualifications of age and priesthood for the appointment of Chaplains of His Holiness (35 years of age and 10 of priesthood), Honorary Prelates (45 of age and 15 of priesthood) and Protonotaries Apostolic Supernumerary (55 of age and 20 of priesthood). However, it waives the minimum age limit for vicars general and judicial vicars proposed for appointment as Honorary Prelates, in view of the fact that, as long as they hold the office of vicar general or judicial vicar, they also hold the still higher rank of Protonotary Apostolic Supernumerary. For the same reason, the Secretariat of State does not consider it appropriate that someone who is already a vicar general or judicial vicar be appointed only a Chaplain of His Holiness.

Notes

1. ^ Galles, Chaplains of His Holiness
2. ^ Noonan, The Church Visible 127 (claiming that the distinction was eliminated by Pope Paul VI); but see Heim, Heraldry in the Catholic Church 121 (claiming that the distinction still remains).
3. ^ "Instruction", 1969.
4. ^ "Pariter, qui vicarii generalis aut etiam capitularis munere fungitur, hoc munere dumtaxat perdurante, erit protonotarius titularis" (Pope Pius X, Inter multiplices curas, 62. 21 February 1905). Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
5. ^ "Super habitu quotidiano, occasione solemnis conventus, audientiae et similium. . . zonam tantum sericam nigram, cum laciniis item nigris, gestare poterunt, cum pileo chordula ac floccis nigris ornato" (Inter multiplices curas, 67).
6. ^ Noonan, The Church Visible.

References

•  Baumgarten, Paul Maria (1913). "Monsignor". Catholic Encyclopedia. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia New York: Robert Appleton Company.  
•  Boudinhon, A. (1913). "Monseigneur". Catholic Encyclopedia. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia New York: Robert Appleton Company.  
• Galles, Duane L. C. M (March 19, 1999). Chaplains of His Holiness. St. Joseph Foundation. Retrieved on 2006-09-01. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle.
• Heim, Bruno Bernard (1978). Bruno Bernard Heim ( 5 March 1911 - 18 March 2003) was the Vatican's first Apostolic Nuncio to Britain and was one of the most prominent Heraldry in the Catholic Church. Humanities Press. ISBN 0-391-00873-0.  
• Instruction on the dress, titles and coat-of-arms of cardinals, bishops and lesser prelates. vol. 4. L'Osservatore Romano, English ed. L'Osservatore Romano ( English: The Roman Observer) is the "semi-official" Newspaper of the Holy See. (17 Apr. 1969). Retrieved on 2006-09-01. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle.
•  Kirsch, J. P. (1913). "Prothonotary Apostolic". Catholic Encyclopedia. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia New York: Robert Appleton Company.  
• Noonan, Jr. , James-Charles (1996). The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church. Viking, 315-6. ISBN 0-670-86745-4.  
• Nguyen, Benedict T. . Becoming a Monsignor in the Catholic Church. Retrieved on 2007-04-28. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title
• Pope Paul VI. Pontificalis domus. March 28, 1968. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On the Papal Household, Reform of the Use of Pontifical Insignia, Simplification of Pontifical Rites and Insignia. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1968. Latin Italian
• Pope Paul VI. Pontificalis insignia. June 21, 1968. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Latin Italian