34 replies to this topic

[brianthephysicist]

Our Bishop is visiting our campus this Sunday and will be offering Mass with us.

How are we supposed to greet him? I heard about genuflecting and kissing a bishop's ring, but that feels like it steps over the line between respect and worship. Is it okay to shake his hand?

What do I call him? Is there a special title like your grace or your excellency that I should be using or should I just call him Bishop ______?

Is there anything else I should be aware of in general to do with a bishop?

Is there anything special that needs to be done in the Mass when the bishop is there?


Thanks in advance!

[Hubertus]

I was wondering this too.. I've met our Archbishop a couple times in person and I always just awkwardly call him "Archbishop". I think I saw a guy kiss his ring, though, which I'm pretty sure at least used to be the standard practice.

[i<3LSOP]

You have to bow down to him.

Now for something serious... a Bishop came to a Catholic camp I went to over the summer and many of the kids shook hands with him. That was respectful and they called him Bishop________.

[FutureSister2009]

Interesting, when I met the Bishop of Allentown last year, he greeted me first by asking what my name was. And our conversation just went from there. He's terrific.

[dUSt]

The formal way is:

Bishop - "Your Excellency"
Archbishop - "Your Grace"
Cardinal - "Your Eminence"

The less formal way would be:

"Bishop Lastname"
"Archbishop Lastname"
"Cardinal Lastname"

Also, as a sign of respect and loyalty, you may kiss their ring--and it doesn't have to be accompanied with a genuflect.

I understand that custom seems to be dying off, but as a Catholic who is humbled to serve our princes, I consider it a great privilege to do that. I know some bishops and priests (the ones who don't like to be called "father") may be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable with formalities--but I feel it helps me, personally, in my spiritual growth, to have the honor of respecting the leaders of our church in that way. I am grateful for the priests and bishops who recognize this.

[Winchester]

Chest bump. Spinning his crozier is optional, but is always done clockwise (from his view).

[dUSt]

Shut up Peters.

[Winchester]

Shut up Peters.

[BG45]

What Dust said. I've noticed when dealing with college students they tend to be less formal. The times I've encountered Bishops, it's always just become "It's good to meet you Bishop X" and then the conversation flows from there. No kissing the ring, no "your excellency" usually.

[Winchester]

CROZIER SPIN

[MissyP89]

Duh.

[brianthephysicist]

The formal way is:

Bishop - "Your Excellency"
Archbishop - "Your Grace"
Cardinal - "Your Eminence"

The less formal way would be:

"Bishop Lastname"
"Archbishop Lastname"
"Cardinal Lastname"

Also, as a sign of respect and loyalty, you may kiss their ring--and it doesn't have to be accompanied with a genuflect.

I understand that custom seems to be dying off, but as a Catholic who is humbled to serve our princes, I consider it a great privilege to do that. I know some bishops and priests (the ones who don't like to be called "father") may be embarrassed or feel uncomfortable with formalities--but I feel it helps me, personally, in my spiritual growth, to have the honor of respecting the leaders of our church in that way. I am grateful for the priests and bishops who recognize this.

Thank you so much

[Winchester]

Thank you so much

John Madden

[Slappo]

Something REALLY important to note is that if you do genuflect it is with the left knee not the right knee.

The right knee is reserved for reverencing Christ

The left knee is used to show reverence for a bishop, archbishop, or the Pope. It is also the knee you would genuflect on when kissing the ring of a King.

[Winchester]

I did not know that, slapps.

[inunionwithrome]

Interesting and good to know.

[CatherineM]

I used to call the archbishop back home baggy drawers, but only when no one else could hear me.

[Slappo]

I did not know that, slapps.

There's a lot you don't know Winnie.



edited to add: Oh snap.

Edited by Slappo, 08 March 2012 - 03:29 PM.

[TheresaThoma]

In my own (limited) experience a handshake and using Bishop Lastname is perfectly acceptable.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

I usually say "Hi Bishop _______, how are you today?"


Somewhat unrelated: My most embarrassing moment with a bishop was when I was altar serving. I was holding his staff and had to get the Eucharist. I was so nervous about the host not making it into my mouth and the staff and everything that I said "Thank you" instead of "Amen." I was fifteen. That bishop knew me from that moment on.