Introduction was placed on sacramental orders in regard to bish- Monsignor is merely a title of honor that is be- ops and priests, rather than jurisdiction as formerly. OUR LADY OF PROVIDENCE CHAPEL stowed by the Holy Father on priests recommended The title of papal chamberlain was superseded by SAINT VINCENT HOSPITAL for such an honor by the local bishop. Collectively the more priestly-sounding designation of Chaplains WORCESTER MEDICAL CENTER known as monsignori, they either have a particular of His Holiness. The priest so-designated no longer Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time function within the local church or have distin- would wear a purple cassock, but the more priestly guished themselves by the work they have done on looking garb of a black house cassock with purple July 19, 2009 behalf of the Church. No additional authority is trim, purple buttons/buttonholes and a purple silk gained by the title monsignor alone. cincture as his proper attire. When in choir, the The Title of Monsignor chaplain of his holiness will don a surplice. The Monsignor is the form of address used for members black biretta, as a sign of the priesthood, marks the of the clergy of the Catholic Church who hold those priesthood of the second order, namely, below the honorific titles. The title monsignor does not desig- rank of bishop. Currently, there are three ranks. The nate a different ecclesiastical office; instead, it is a highest honor among all monsignori is the (1) Ap- ostolic Protonotary of which there are two different title associated with honorary awards bestowed upon a particular priest by the Holy See. It came types: apostolic protonotary de numero (customarily into use during the period in which the papacy re- there are only seven found in the city of Rome) and sided in Avignon (1305-1376) and not in Rome. an apostolic protonotary supra numerum which is Important clerics in the papal court were given the the highest rank of monsignor found outside of French secular title of monseigneur or milord. Rome. The next level is (2) Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, followed by those monsignors designated When the papacy returned to Rome during the pon- tificate of Gregory XI, it became monsignore be- as (3) Chaplains to His Holiness. While in English- cause of Italian, once again, becoming the vernacu- speaking countries the title monsignor is only used lar language. The title was only used for higher for priests who have been so-honored by the Holy ranking clerics such as cardinals until the seven- Father, in other countries the title monseigneur is teenth century, when those members of the hierar- used for bishops or archbishops below the rank of chy came to be called Eminenza or Eminence. cardinal or patriarch. Then, monsignore was accorded to senior Vatican Recognition of Recently-named Monsignori officials below the rank of cardinal and to secular Most Reverend Robert McManus invites the clergy prelates (including bishops) who were privileged to and faithful of the Diocese of Worcester to rejoice wear the rochet and mantelletta (viz. prelates di in the newly-designated monsignori during Vespers mantelletta). In due time, another, lesser rank of in Worcester’s Cathedral of Saint Paul on Friday, August 14, 2009 at 7pm. In addition to Msgr. monsignori developed that included papal chamber- lains and chaplains that came to be known as prel- Beaulieu, Msgr. John Doran (St. Leo Parish, Leom- ates di mantellone. These lower ranked prelates inster), Msgr. Michael Foley (St. Luke Parish, wore a long floor-length cloak (or mantellone) Westboro), Msgr. Rocco Piccolomini (Our Lady of CHAPEL SCHEDULE which was eventually abolished because it was the Mt. Carmel, Worcester), Msgr. Robert Johnson Weekday Mass: (Monday-Friday) at 12 noon livery garb of a chamberlain. (Bishop’s Master of Ceremonies), Msgr. Francis Weekend Masses: Saturday, 4:00pm — Sunday: 7:30am & 4:00pm Simplification of Titles in the Papal Household Goguen (St. Cecilia Parish, Leominster), and Msgr. Holyday Mass Schedule: afternoon prior at 4:00pm On 28 March 1969, Pope Paul VI issued Pontifi- Michael Rose (St. Mary Parish, Shrewsbury) will be Holyday proper at 12 noon and 4:00pm calis Domus, the motu proprio which sought to re- honored. Subsequently, on Thursday, August 27 Confessions: First Saturday of every month at 3:30pm form the papal household and simplified the classi- from 5-7pm, the administration and staff of Saint Department Telephone: 508.363.6246 Vincent Hospital will host a public reception for fication of the title of lesser prelates, such as mon- Website: www.ourladyofprovidence.net signori. The prior admixture of titles that included Msgr. Peter Beaulieu to which the OLP Chapel- both secular and sacred was clarified. The accent goers are more than welcome to attend. .