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. 

THE POPE: 
Addressing a letter: His Holiness Pope N___________ 
Salutation: Most Holy Father; Your Holiness. 
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: 
In personal speech: Your Eminence 

ARCHBISHOPS: 
Addressing a letter: Most Reverend N______ N _____, Archbishop 
of ___________ 
Salutation: Your Excellency: 
In personal speech: Your Excellency 

BISHOPS: 
Addressing a letter: Most Reverend N______ N______ 
Bishop of ______ 
Salutation: Your Excellency; Your Excellency:
In personal speech: Bishop 

PROTONOTARIES APOSTOLIC, DOMESTIC PRELATES AND VICARS GENERAL: 
Addressing a letter: Rt. Rev. Msgr. N______N______ 
Salutation: Right Reverend Monsignor: 
In personal speech: Monsignor 

SECULAR PRIESTS:
Address on envelope: Rev. N______N______ or 
Father N ______
Salutation: Dear Father: 
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: 
In personal speech: Father 

BROTHERS: 
Address on envelope: Brother N______ (adding initials designating his Order.) 
Salutation: Dear Brother N ______
In personal speech: Brother 

DEACONS:
Address on envelope: Deacon N_____ or Deacon and Mrs. N_______
Salutation: Dear Deacon N______
In personal speech: Deacon