How to Address a Letter to a Priest

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Knowing how to address a letter to a priest of the Roman Catholic Church can seem complicated, but it's important that you follow proper protocol if you want to seem respectful. Don't worry, though, you only need to determine the priest's ranking to address the letter correctly.

Template Letter to a Priest

Part 1
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Writing to a Priest

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  1. Address a letter to a secular priest . On the envelope write: The Reverend Father first name, middle initial, last name or The Reverend first name, middle initial, last name. Don't forget the word The. Example: "The Reverend Father John W. Butler."
    • The salutation should be Dear Father. To be even more polite, refer to a priest as His Reverence. If it's a very formal letter, say, "The Reverend Father last name as the salutation or Dear Reverend Father."
    • If you know the priest well, it's either "Dear Father or Dear Father last name." [1] Conclude the letter: "Respectfully yours in Christ, your name." [2] You could also end the letter: "Respectfully yours in Christ, your name."
  2. On the envelope, write, "Rev. first name, middle initial, and last name," adding letters designating his Order.
    • The key difference here is to add the initials of the religious order community, as in,"The Reverend first name last name, O.F.M. or The Reverend Father first name last name, O.F.M." Example: "The Reverend Father Leo F. McKenzie, S.J." In the example, SJ refers to (The Society of Jesus).
    • The salutation should say: "Dear Father." Conclude the letter: "Respectfully yours in Christ, your name."
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Part 2
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Addressing the Other Catholic Leaders

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  1. Address the envelope appropriately; the Pope is the highest leader in the Catholic hierarchy. Address the envelope to "His Holiness Pope Francis." [3] It's also acceptable to address the letter to "The Sovereign Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Francis."
    • The letter's salutation should say "Most Holy Father" or "Your Holiness." In personal speech instead of writing, you would address the Pope as Your Holiness. The Pope's address is: Apostolic Palace, 00120 Vatican City.
    • Conclude the letter appropriately. Catholics would write: "I have the honor to profess myself with the most profound respect, your Holiness' most obedient and humble servant."
    • If you are not Catholic, it is appropriate to instead conclude the letter: "With every good wish to Your Excellency, I am, Sincerely yours, your name." Or: "With every best wish. Sincerely yours, your name." Another acceptable way to end the letter is "I am, Your Holiness, most respectfully yours in Christ."
  2. Address the envelope of your letter to "His Eminence (Christian name) Cardinal (Surname)."
    • Use the salutation of Your Eminence. Cardinals are second in the Catholic hierarchy after the Pope. In personal speech, also refer to a cardinal as Your Eminence.
    • If you are Catholic, conclude the letter: "Asking the blessing of Your Eminence, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ, your name." [4]
  3. Address the envelope: "His Grace, The Most Reverend Archbishop first name, middle initial," and last name, of the city where the archbishop is assigned.
    • The salutation should be Your Excellency. In personal speech, refer to an Archbishop as Your Excellency.
    • Conclude the letter: "Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ, your name." You could also end the letter: "Respectfully yours in Christ, your name."
  4. Write on the envelope, by way of example: "His Excellency, The Right Reverend William A. Scully, D.D. Bishop of Baltimore." Or: "His Excellency, The Right Reverend Bishop William Scully of Baltimore." [5]
    • The salutation should say Your Excellency.
    • Conclude the letter: "Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully, your name." An alternative ending is: "Respectfully yours in Christ, your name."
  5. To write a brother, say "Brother first name, middle initial, last name," adding initials designating his order.
    • The salutation should say "Dear Brother last name." Conclude the letter by saying, "Respectfully yours in Christ, your first and last name."
    • To write a Sister, say, "Sister first name, middle initial, and last name" on the envelope. The salutation should say "Dear Sister last name." Conclude the letter: "Respectfully yours in Christ, your first and last name."
  6. You should write an abbot this way: "Right Reverend first name, last name," adding letters designating his Order as in Abbot of the place.
    • The salutation is Right Reverend Abbot.
    • Conclude the letter: "Yours respectfully in Christ, your name."
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Using Proper Etiquette around Priests

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  1. If it's a formal letter, write it on letterhead. You could make your own, by putting your name and contact information in the center of the page [6] .
    • Don't indent your paragraphs. Leave an extra line between each paragraphs. You could also align your name and contact information on the top left of the letter.
    • Use nice stock paper and matching envelope. Make sure to include your name and return address on the envelope.
  2. It's not acceptable to call a priest by his first name, say Father Bob. Instead, you should address a priest as Father Smith or simply Father. [7]
    • In the old days, a priest would be called Your Reverence. You can still do this if you want to be very respectful and traditional.
    • Of course, if a priest requests that you call him Father Bob, that's his right. However, it's considered disrespectful in some circles. When in doubt, it is considered polite to address authority figures using their title and their last name In this case, address the priest as Father (Last Name).
  3. Stand when a priest enters the room. You should stay standing until the priest suggests that you sit.
    • If you're a man, remove your hat in the priest's presence. Kiss the priest's hand. This is designed to honor the fact priests consecrate the Holy Eucharist.
    • Show similar respect when you are leaving the presence of a priest.
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  • Question
    How do I write a letter to the vicar?
    Community Answer
    Address the letter Very Reverend first name, middle initial, last name.
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  • Question
    How would Jesus feel about the preferential treatment towards priests?
    Community Answer
    Jesus gives priests a special vocation, that is often one of the hardest and most grueling vocations God gives. He, himself, grants priests special dignity to celebrate the sacraments. In a way, priests are royalty among their parish, because they are often looked at for leadership and wisdom, like a lay person cannot give.
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  • Question
    How do I address an envelope to a Catholic priest who has the rank of Canon and holds a doctorate?
    Community Answer
    On an envelope you would write "The Reverend Canon (Last name)". When speaking to him, you would address a canon as "Father" or "Your Reverence".
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      References

      1. ↑ https://emilypost.com/advice/official-forms-of-address-religious-dignitaries
      2. ↑ https://emilypost.com/advice/official-forms-of-address-religious-dignitaries
      3. ↑ https://www.churchpop.com/2018/02/07/how-to-send-the-pope-a-letter-and-who-knows-you-might-get-a-response/
      4. ↑ http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      5. ↑ https://emilypost.com/advice/official-forms-of-address-religious-dignitaries
      6. ↑ https://www.advancedetiquette.com/business/letter-writing-etiquette/
      7. ↑ http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/d003rpHowToAddressClergy.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The best way to address a letter to a priest depends on their ranking. If writing to a secular priest, address the envelope with, “The Reverend [first name] [middle initial] [last name],” like “The Reverend John H. Abbot.” When writing to a religious order priest, the format is the same but you should include the letters designating their Order after their name, such as “The Reverend Matthew F. Smith, S.J.” where S.J. stands for Society of Jesus. In both cases, use the salutation “Dear Father,” to begin your letter. Read on to find out how to address letters to other Catholic leaders, like bishops or even the pope!!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Dee Warner

        Oct 28, 2016

        "I simply didn't know the protocol, and I wanted to learn before I improperly addressed my parish priest. I am ..." more
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