Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocope form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord". In English, it is abbreviated Mgr., Msgr. or Mons. Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. ... “Catholic Church” redirects here. ... This article should be transwikied to wiktionary Ecclesiastical means pertaining to the Church (especially Christianity) as an organized body of believers and clergy, with a stress on its juridical and institutional structure. ... An honorific is a word or expression that conveys esteem or respect and is used in addressing or referring to a person. ... An apocope or apocopation is a type of metaplasm that refers to a word formed by removing the end of a longer original word. ...

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"). It's use is connected with appointments to certain ecclesiastical positions, most of which are honorary - the three positions most often seen in connection with the style "monsignor" are protonotary apsotolic, prelate of honor and chaplain of honor to the Pope. These honors are bestowed upon a priest directly by the Pope, most often in consultation with the local bishop. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (from Latin...

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.

Main article: Protonotary apostolic

A protonotary apostolic is a member or honorary member of the Roman Curia. 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. 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. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (936x646, 168 KB) Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (936x646, 168 KB) Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r. ... A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ... Amaranth is a color that is a representation of the color of the flower of the amaranth plant. ... Upon the death of a cardinal diocesan bishop, his galero is raised above the sanctuary of his cathedral church. ... The prothonotary is the chief court clerk in certain courts of law in certain Anglo-American jurisdictions, including the American states of Pennsylvania and Delaware, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. ... The prothonotary is the chief court clerk in certain courts of law in certain Anglo-American jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania and Prince Edward Island. ... The Roman Curia — usually called the Vatican — is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The Apostolic Chancery, also known as Papal - or Roman Chanc(ell)ery, is a former office of the Roman Curia. ... The coat of arms of a Cardinal are indicated by a red galero (wide-brimmed hat) with 15 tassels on each side (the motto and escutcheon are proper to the individual Cardinal). ...

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. 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. A protonotary apostolic was entitled to wear the vestments of a bishop ("pontificals") under certain circumstances. is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... | Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Pope Gregory XVI (September 18, 1765 – June 1, 1846), born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846. ... 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 from a supernumerary. ... Pope St. ... Pontifical, from the Latin pontificalis, is an adjective used to describe anything connected with the office of a prelate, usually a bishop or an abbot. ...

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. 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. Papal chamberlain (Cameriere di spada e cappa) is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a Catholic layman by the Pope, and is often given to members of noble families. ... Chamberlain can have several meanings: A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing the household of a sovereign. ... Nobility is a traditional hereditary status (see hereditary titles) that exists today in many countries (mainly present or former monarchies). ... Alfred Emanuel Smith ( December 30, 1873– October 4, 1944), often known as Al Smith, was Governor of New York and a U.S. presidential candidate in 1928. ... Franz Joseph Hermann Michael Maria von Papen (29 October 1879 – 2 May 1969) was a German nobleman Catholic politician, General Staff officer, and diplomat, who served as Chancellor of Germany in 1932. ...

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. 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. This article cites very few or no references or sources. ... A motu proprio is a papal rescript in which the clause motu proprio (Latin, of his own motion) is used, signifying that the provisions of the rescript were decided by the Pope personally and not by a cardinal or other advisors. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The prothonotary is the chief court clerk in certain courts of law in certain Anglo-American jurisdictions, including the American states of Pennsylvania and Delaware, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. ... Papal chamberlain (Cameriere di spada e cappa) is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a Catholic layman by the Pope, and is often given to members of noble families. ...

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.^[1]

amaranth galero with 12 violet tassels.

As a result Monsignori are now classed into the following three ranks, in descending order of precedence: Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (936x646, 175 KB) Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (936x646, 175 KB) Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r. ...

• 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. 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.^[2] Look up prelate in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A chaplain in the 45th Infantry Division leads a religious service in an unknown location during World War II. US Navy Chaplain Kenneth Medve conducts Catholic Mass onboard the Ronald Reagan (2006) A chaplain is typically a priest, ordained deacon 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. ...

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.
• Supernumerary Apostolic protonotaries dress the same as Honorary Prelates. As an additional privilege, they have the option of also using a purple ferraiuolo or cape, a silk cape worn with the red-trimmed black cassock for non-liturgical events of special solemnity (for instance, graduations and commencements). 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.

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. These include the auditors of the Sacred Roman Rota, the four clerics of the Apostolic Camera, and a few others. Together, this group of clergy are called the prelates di mantelletta or prelates of the mantelletta because of their distinctive attire. The ferraiolo or ferraiuolo is a type of cape traditionally worn by clergy in the Roman Catholic Church on formal, non-liturgical occasions. ... ghent Bisschops Pope Pius IX surrounded by two clergy in purple mantelletta, the papal sacristan in black mantelletta, another prelate in a black mozzetta over a black mantelletta, and other monsignors in purple mantellones A mantelletta, Italian diminutive of Latin mantellum mantle, is a sleeveless, knee-length, vest-like garment... A traditional biretta The biretta is a square cap with three or four ridges or peaks, sometimes surmounted by a tuft, traditionally worn by Roman Catholic clergy, as well as by some clergy of the Anglican Churches. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (936x646, 172 KB) Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (936x646, 172 KB) Piotr Jaworski, PioM; 19 V 2005r. ... The Roman Curia — usually called the Vatican — is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, coordinating and providing the necessary organisation for the correct functioning of the Catholic Church and the achievement of its goals. ... The Sacra Rota Romana or Sacred Roman Rota is the normal appellate tribunal of the Holy See and the second highest ecclesiastical court in the Roman Catholic Church. ... The Apostolic Camera, or in Latin (Reverenda) Camera Apostolica or Apostolica Camera, is the former central board of finance in the papal administrative system, which at one time was of great importance in the government of the States of the Church, and in the administration of justice, lead by the...

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.e. as long as they held those offices, and so are entitled to be addressed as Monsignor.^[3] Pope St. ... 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 diocese. ...

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,^[4] and a black mantelletta. As a result of this they were in some countries referred to as "black protonotaries." ghent Bisschops Pope Pius IX surrounded by two clergy in purple mantelletta, the papal sacristan in black mantelletta, another prelate in a black mozzetta over a black mantelletta, and other monsignors in purple mantellones A mantelletta, Italian diminutive of Latin mantellum mantle, is a sleeveless, knee-length, vest-like garment...

This temporary rank of protonotary 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. (Honorary titles such as that of "Monsignor" are not considered appropriate for religious.) The Annuario Pontificio or Pontifical Yearbook is the annual directory of the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

While 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), it waives the minimum age limit for vicars general proposed for appointment as Honorary Prelates, in view of the fact that, as long as they hold the office of vicar general, 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 be appointed merely a Chaplain of His Holiness.

Notes

is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ...

References

• Baumgarten, Paul Maria (1913). "Monsignor". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 
• Boudinhon, A. (1913). "Monseigneur". Catholic 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.
• Heim, Bruno Bernard (1978). 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. (17 Apr. 1969). Retrieved on 2006-09-01.
• Kirsch, J.P. (1913). "Prothonotary Apostolic". Catholic 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.
• Pope Paul VI. Pontificalis domus. March 28, 1968. 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. Latin Italian

This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Most Reverend Bruno Bernard Heim, JCD, PhD. Bruno Bernard Heim, JCD, PhD (5 March 1911 - 18 March 2003) was the Vaticans first Apostolic Nuncio to Britain and was one of the most prominent armorists of twentieth century ecclesiastical heraldry. ... Masthead LOsservatore Romano is the Vaticans newspaper. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Chaplains of His Holiness