The Title Rev.

[4givemeasinner]

Isn’t the title of “Reverand” more a Protestant thing? I was taught to address priest by Father, or Monsignor, or Your Grace, or Your Excellency, etc.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

In part it depends on how exactly you are addressing a priest.

Emily Post gives these examples:

Roman Catholic Priest

Letter Address
The Reverend Full Name
Address

Salutation
Reverend Father:
Dear Father Last Name:

Spoken Greeting
Father Last Name
Father

Formal Introduction
The Reverend Last Name
Father Last Name

 

[L_Marshall]

“The Reverend” is an honorific used in writing. It is used the same way as “The Honorable” is used with judges.

If one is being extremely formal or pretentious, it is acceptable to address a priest (or any clergyman who is not a prelate) as “Your Reverence”, just as one addresses a judge as “Your Honor”.

Addressing a priest verbally as “Reverend” is generally frowned upon, since we traditionally use the more affectionate “Father.” It is acceptable in some parts of the world, however, like in Northern Italy were priests are sometimes addressed as Reverendo.

So, more or less:

“The Reverend” (sometimes followed by Father) is used in addressing or introduction such as:

To:
The Rev. John Doe
123 Any Street
Beverly Hills, California 90210
United States of America

Or:
“May I introduce to you The Reverend Father John Doe of the Archdiocese of Rome.”