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Home > Catholic Encyclopedia > A > Ecclesiastical Abbreviations


ECCLESIASTICAL ABBREVIATIONS

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The words most commonly abbreviated at all times are proper names, titles
(official or customary), of persons or corporations, and words of frequent
occurrence. A good list of those used in Roman Republican and early Imperial
times may be seen in Egbert's Latin Inscriptions (New York, 1896), 417-459. The
Jewish scribes and Talmudic scholars also had frequent recourse to
abbreviations.

Between the seventh and ninth centuries the ancient Roman system of
abbreviations gave way to a more difficult one that gradually grew up in the
monastic houses and in the chanceries of the new Teutonic kingdoms. Merovingian,
Lombard, and Anglo-Saxon scripts offer each their own abbreviations, not to
speak of the unique scotica manus or libri scottice scripti (Irish hand, or
books written in the medieval Irish hand). Eventually such productive centres of
technical manuscripts as the Papal Chancery, the theological schools of Paris
and Oxford, and the civil-law school of Bologna set the standards of
abbreviations for all Europe. The medieval manuscripts abound in abbreviations,
owing in part to the abandonment of the uncial, or quasi-uncial, and the almost
universal use of the cursive, hand. The medieval writer inherited a few from
Christian antiquity; others he invented or adapted, in order to save time and
parchment. They are found especially in manuscripts of scholastic theology and
canon law, annals and chronicles, the Roman law, and in administrative
documents, civil and privileges, bulls, rescripts). They multiplied with time,
and were never so numerous as on the eve of the discovery of printing; many of
the early printed books offer this peculiarity, together with other
characteristics of the manuscript page. The development of printing brought
about the abandonment of many abbreviations, while it suggested and introduced
new ones a process also favoured by the growth of ecclesiastical legislation,
the creation of new offices, etc. There was less medieval abbreviation in the
text of books much used on public occasions, e.g. missals, antiphonaries,
bibles; in one way or another the needs of students seem to have been the chief
cause of the majority of medieval abbreviations. The means of abbreviation were
usually full points or dots (mostly in Roman antiquity), the semicolon
(eventually conventionalized), lines (horizontal, perpendicular, oblong, wavy
curves, and commas). Vowel-sounds were frequently written not after, but over,
the consonants. Certain letters, like p and q, that occur with extreme
frequency, e.g. in prepositions and terminations, became the source of many
peculiar abbreviations; similarly, frequently recurring words like et (and), est
(is).



Habit and convenience are today the principal motives for using abbreviations.
Most of those in actual use fall under one or other of the following heads:

> I. Administrative;
> II. Liturgical;
> III. Scholastic;
> IV. Chronological.

I. The first class of abbreviations includes those used in the composition of
Pontifical documents. They were once very numerous, and lists of them may be
seen in the works quoted below (e.g. Quantin, Prou). It may be well to state at
once that since 29 December, 1878, by order of Leo XIII, the great papal
documents (Litterae Apostolicae) are no longer written in the old Gothic hand
known as bollatico; all abbreviations, with the exception of a few obvious ones,
like S.R.E., were abolished by the same authority (Acta S. Sedis, XI, 465-467).
In the transaction of ordinary business the Roman Congregations are wont to use
certain brief and pithy formulas (e.g. Negative = "No"; Negative et amplius =
"No with emphasis"). They are not, correctly speaking, abbreviations. For a list
of these see CANON LAW. This class includes also the abbreviations for the names
of most sees. The full Latin titles of all existing (Latin) dioceses may be seen
in the Roman annual, "Gerarchia Cattolica", a complete list of the Latin names
of all known dioceses (extant or extinct) is found in the large folio work of
the Comte de Mas Latrie, "Trésor de chronologie, d'histoire et de géographie"
(Paris, 1884). For the same purpose the reader may also consult the episcopal
catalogues of the Benedictine Gams, "Series Episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicae"
(Ratisbon, 1873-86), and the Franciscan Conrad Eubel, "Hierarchia Catholica
Medii Ævi" (Münster, 1898-1902). Under this general heading may be included all
abbreviated forms of addresses in ordinary intercourse, whether of individuals
or of members of religious orders, congregations, institutes, to which may be
added the forms of addresses usual for members of Catholic lay societies and the
Papal orders of merit. The abbreviations of the titles of Roman Congregations,
and of the individual canonical ecclesiastical authorities, belong also to this
class.

II. A second class of abbreviations includes those used in the description of
liturgical acts or the directions for their performance, e.g. the Holy Mass, the
Divine Office (Breviary), the ecclesiastical devotions, etc. Here may also be
classed the abbreviated forms for the name of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy
Ghost; also for the names of the Blessed Virgin, the saints, etc.; likewise
abbreviations used in the administration of the Sacraments, mortuary epitaphs,
etc. (to which class belong the numerous Catacomb inscriptions); finally some
miscellaneous abbreviations like those used in the publication of documents
concerning beatification and canonization.

III. In the third class belong scholastic abbreviations, used to designate
honorific titles acquired in the schools, to avoid the repetition of lengthy
titles of books and reviews, or to facilitate reference to ecclesiastical and
civil legislation.

IV. In the fourth class of abbreviations belong all such as are used to describe
the elements of the year, civil or ecclesiastical.

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN APOSTOLIC RESCRIPTS

Absoluo. — Absolutio ("Absolution")
Alr. — Aliter ("Otherwise")
Aplica. — Apostolica ("Apostolic")
Appatis. — Approbatis ("Having been approved")
Archiepus. — Archiepiscopus ("Archbishop")
Aucte. — Auctoritate ("By the Authority")
Canice. — Canonice ("Canonically")
Card. — Cardinalis ("Cardinal")
Cens. — Censuris ("Censures" — abl. or dat. case)
Circumpeone. — Circumspectione ("Circumspection" — abl. case)
Coione. — Communione ("Communion" — abl. case)
Confeone. — Confessione ("Confession" — abl. case)
Consciae. — Conscientiae ("Of [or to] conscience")
Constbus — Constitutionibus ("Constitutions" — abl. or dat. case)
Discreoni. — Discretioni ("To the Discretion")
Dispensao. — Dispensatio ("Dispensation")
Dnus — Dominus ("Lord", "Sir", or "Mr.")
Ecclae. — Ecclesiae ("Of [or to] the Church")
Ecclis. — Ecclesiasticis ("Ecclesiastical")
Effum. — Effectum ("Effect")
Epus. — Episcopus ("Bishop")
Excoe. — Excommunicatione ("Excommunication" — abl. case)
Exit. — Existit ("Exists")
Fr. — Frater ("Brother")
Frum. — Fratrum ("Of the Brothers")
Gnalis — Generalis ("General")
Humil. — Humiliter ("Humbly")
Humoi. — Hujusmodi ("Of this kind")
Igr. — Igitur ("Therefore")
Infraptum. — Infrascriptum ("Written below")
Intropta. — Introscripta ("Written within")
Irregulte. — Irregularitate ("Irregularity" — abl. case)
Lia. — Licentia ("License")
Litma. — Legitima ("Lawful")
Lre. — Litterae ("Letters")
Lte. — Licite ("Lawfully", or "licitly")
Magro. — Magistro ("Master" — dat. or abl. case)
Mir. — Misericorditer ("Mercifully")
Miraone. — Miseratione ("Pity" — abl. case)
Mrimonium. — Matrimonium ("Matrimony")
Nultus. — Nullatenus ("Nowise")
Ordinaoni. — Ordinationi ("Ordination" — dat. case)
Ordio. — Ordinario ("Ordinary" — dat. or abl. case)
Pbr. — Presbyter ("Priest")
Penia. — Poenitentia ("Penance", or "repentance")
Peniaria. — Poenitentiaria ("Penitentiary"; i.e. Bureau of the Apostolic
Penitentiary)
Pntium. — Praesentium ("Of those present", or, "Of this present writing")
Poe. — Posse ("To be able", or, "The ability to do a thing")
Pontus. — Pontificatus ("Pontificate")
PP. — Papa ("Pope")
Pr. — Pater ("Father")
Pror. — Procurator
Ptur. — Praefertur ("Is preferred", or, "Is brought forward")
Ptus. — Praefatus ("Aforesaid")
Qd. — Quod ("Because", "That", or, "Which")
Qmlbt. — Quomodolibet ("In any manner whatsoever")
Qtnus. — Quatenus ("In so far as")
Relione. — Religione ("Religion", or, "Religious Order" — abl. case)
Rlari. — Regulari ("Regular")
Roma. — Romana ("Roman")
Salri. — Salutari ("Salutary")
Snia. — Sententia ("Opinion")
Sntae., Stae. — Sanctae ("Holy", or, "Saints" — feminine)
Spealer. Specialiter ("Specially")
Spualibus Spiritualibus ("In spiritual matters")
Supplioni. Supplicationibus ("Supplication" — dat. or abl. case)
Thia, Theolia. Theologia ("Theology")
Tli. Tituli ("Titles")
Tm. — Tantum ("So much", or, "Only")
Tn. — Tamen ("Nevertheless")
Venebli — Venerabili ("Venerable")
Vrae. — Vestrae ("Your")



ABBREVIATIONS IN GENERAL USE, CHIEFLY ECCLESIASTICAL

A.B. — Artium Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of Arts")
Ab. — Abbas ("Abbot")
Abp. — Archbishop
Abs. — Absens ("Absent")
A.C. — Auditor Camerae (Auditor of the Papal Treasury)
AC — Ante Christum ("Before Christ")
ACN — Ante Christum Natum ("Before the Birth of Christ")
A.D. — Anno Domini ("Year of Our Lord")
a.d. — ante diem ("The day before")
Adm. Rev. — Admodum Reverendus ("Very Reverend")
Adv. — Adventus ("Advent")
Alb. — Albus ("White" — Breviary)
al. — alii, alibi, alias ("others", "elsewhere", "otherwise")
A.M. — Anno Mundi ("Year of the World")
A.M. — Artium Magister ("Master of Arts")
A.M.D.G. — Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ("For the greater glory of God")
An. — Annus ("Year")
Ann. — Anni ("Years")
Ana, Ant. — Antiphon
Apost. — Apostolus ("Apostle")
Ap. Sed. — Apostolica Sedes ("Apostolic See")
Ap. Sed. Leg. — Apostolicae Sedis Legatus ("Legate of the Apostolic See")
Archiep. — Archiepiscopus ("Archbishop")
Archid. — Archidiaconus ("Archdeacon")
Archiprb. — Archipresbyter ("Archpriest")
A.R.S. — Anno Reparatae Salutis ("In the year of Our Redemption")
A.U. — Alma Urbs ("Beloved City" — i.e., Rome)
Authen. — Authentica ("Authentic" — e.g. letters)
Aux. — Auxilium, Auxilio ("Help", "With the help of")
B.A. — Baccalaureus Artium ("Bachelor of Arts")
B. BB. — Beatus, Beati ("Blessed")
B.C. — Before Christ
B.C.L. — Baccalaureus Civilis [or Canonicae] Legis ("Bachelor of Civil [or
Canon] Law")
B.D. — Bachelor of Divinity
B.F. — Bona Fide ("In Good Faith")
Ben. — Benedictio ("Blessing")
Benevol. — Benevolentia ("Benevolence")
Bon. Mem. — Bonae Memoriae ("Of Happy Memory")
B.P. — Beatissime Pater ("Most Holy Father")
Bro. — Brother
B. Se. — Baccalaureus Scientiarum ("Bachelor of Sciences")
B.U.J. — Baccalaureus Utriusque Juris ("Bachelor of Both Laws" — i.e., civil and
canon)
B.T. — Baccalaureus Theologiae ("Bachelor of Theology")
B.V. — Beatitudo Vestra ("Your Holiness")
B.V. — Beata Virgo ("Blessed Virgin")
B.V.M. — Beata Virgo Maria ("Blessed Virgin Mary")
Cam. — Camera (Papal Treasury)
Cam. Ap. — Camera Apostolica ("Apostolic Camera" — i.e. Papal Treasury)
Can. — Canonicus
Canc. — Cancellarius ("Chancellor")
Cap. — Capitulum ("Little Chapter" — Breviary)
Cap. de seq. — Capitulum de Sequenti ("Little chapter of the following feast" —
Breviary)
Capel. — Capella ("Chapel")
Caus. — Causa ("Cause")
C.C. — Curatus ("Curate" — used chiefly in Ireland)
CC. VV. — Clarissimi Viri ("Illustrious Men")
Cen. Eccl. — Censura Ecclesiastica ("Ecclesiastical Censure")
Cla. — Clausula ("Clause")
Cl., Clico. — Clericus, Clerico ("Cleric")
Clun. — Cluniacenses ("Monks of Cluny")
C.M. — Causa Mortis ("On occasion of death")
Cod. — Codex (Manuscript)
Cog. Leg. — Cognatio Legalis ("Legal Cognation")
Cog. Spir. — Cognatio Spiritualis ("Spiritual Cognation")
Coll. Cone. — Collectio Conciliorum ("Collection of the Councils")
Comm. Prec. — Commemoratio Praecedentis ("Commemoration of the preceding feast"
— Breviary)
Comm. Seq. — Commemoratio Sequentis ("Commemoration of the following feast" —
Breviary)
Compl. — Completorium ("Compline" — Breviary)
Con. — Contra ("against")
Cone. — Concilium ("Council")
Conf. — Confessor
Conf. Doct. — Confessor et Doctor (Breviary)
Conf. Pont. — Confessor Pontifex ("Confessor and Bishop" — Breviary)
Cons. — Consecratio ("Consecration")
Consecr. — Consecratus ("Consecrated")
Const. Ap. — Constitutio Apostolica ("Apostolic Constitution")
Cr. — Credo ("Creed" — Breviary)
D. — Dominus ("Lord")
d. — dies ("day")
D.C.L. — Doctor Civilis [or Canonicae] Legis ("Doctor of Civil [or Canon] Law")
D.D. — Doctores ("Doctors")
D.D. — Donum dedit; Dedicavit ("Gave", "dedicated")
D.D. — Doctor Divinitatis ("Doctor of Divinity" — i.e. Theology)
Dec. — Decanus ("Dean")
Def. — Defunctus ("Deceased")
D.G. — Dei Gratia ("By the Grace of God")
D.N. — Dominus Noster ("Our Lord")
D.N.J.C. — Dominus Noster Jesus Christus ("Our Lord Jesus Christ")
DN, DNS, DNUS — Dominus ("Lord")
Doct. — Doctor (Breviary)
Dom. — Dominica ("Sunday")
D.O.M. — Deo Optimo Maximo ("To God, the Best and Greatest")
Doxol. — Doxologia ("Doxology" — Breviary)
D.R. — Decanus Ruralis ("Rural Dean")
DS — Deus ("God")
D.Se. — Doctor Scientiarum ("Doctor of Sciences")
D.V. — Deo Volente ("God willing")
Dupl. — Duplex ("Double feast" — Breviary)
Dupl. Maj. — Duplex Major ("Double Major feast")
Dupl. I. Cl. — Duplex Primae Classis ("Double First Class feast" — Breviary)
Dupl. II. Cl. — Duplex Secundae Classis ("Double Second Class feast" — Breviary)
Eccl. — Ecclesiasticus ("Ecclesiastic")
E., Eccl. — Ecclesia ("The Church")
El. — Electio, Electus ("Election", "Elect")
Emus — Eminentissimus ("Most Eminent")
EPS, EP., Episc. — Episcopus ("Bishop")
Et. — Etiam ("Also, Even")
Evang. — Evangelium ("Gospel" — Breviary)
Ex. — Extra ("Outside of")
Exe. — Excommunicatus, Excommunicatio ("Excommunicated, Excommunication")
Fel. Mem. — Felicis Memoriae ("Of Happy Memory")
Fel. Rec. — Felicis Recordationis ("Of Happy Memory")
Fer. — Feria ("Weekday")
Fr., F. — Frater, Frere ("Brother")
Fund. — Fundatio ("Foundation")
Gen. — Generalis ("General")
Gl. — Gloria ("Glory to God", etc.)
Gr. — Gratia ("Grace")
Grad. — Gradus ("Grade")
Grat. — Gratias ("Thanks"); or Gratis ("Without expense")
hebd. — Hebdomada ("Week")
Hom. — Homilia ("Homily" — Breviary)
hor. — hora ("hour")
IC — Jesus (first and third letters of His name in Greek)
Id. — Idus ("Ides")
Igr. — Igitur ("Therefore")
I.H.S. — Iesus Hominum Salvator ("Jesus Saviour of Men" — usual interpretation).
Really a faulty Latin transliteration of the first three letters of JESUS in
Greek (IHS for IHC).
Ind. — Indictio ("Indiction")
Ind. — Index
Inq. — Inquisitio ("Inquisition")
i.p.i. — in partibus infidelium ("among the infidels")
Is. — Idus ("Ides")
J.C. — Jesus Christus ("Jesus Christ")
J.C.D. — Juris Canonici Doctor, Juris Civilis Doctor ("Doctor of Canon Law",
"Doctor of Civil Law")
J.D. — Juris Doctor ("Doctor of Law")
J.M.J. — Jesus, Maria, Joseph ("Jesus, Mary, Joseph")
Jo., Joann. — Joannes ("John")
J.U.D. — Juris Utriusque Doctor ("Doctor of Both Laws" — Civil and Canon)
Jud. — Judicium ("Judgment")
J.U.L. — Juris Utriusque Licentiatus ("Licentiate of Both Laws")
Jur. — Juris ("Of Law")
Kal. — Kalendae ("Calends")
Laic. — Laicus ("Layman")
Laud. — Laudes ("Lauds" — Breviary)
L.C.D. — Legis Civilis Doctor ("Doctor of Civil Law")
l.c.; loc. cit. — Loco citato ("at the place already cited")
Lect. — Lectio ("Lesson")
Legit. — Legitime, Legitimus ("Legally", "legitimate")
L.H.D. — Litterarum Humaniorum Doctor ("Doctor of Literature")
Lib., Lo. — Liber, Libro ("Book", "In the book")
Lic. — Licentia, Licentiatus ("License", "Licentiate")
Litt. — Littera ("Letter")
LL.B. — Legum Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of Laws")
LL.D. — Legum Doctor ("Doctor of Laws")
LL.M. — Legum Magister ("Master of Laws")
Loc. — Locus ("Place")
Lov. — Lovanium ("Louvain")
Lovan. — Lovanienses (Theologians of Louvain)
L.S. — Loco Sigilli ("Place of the Seal")
Lud. — Ludovicus
M. — Maria ("Mary")
M.A. — Magister Artium ("Master of Arts")
Mag. — Magister ("Master")
Mand. — Mandamus ("We command")
Mand. Ap. — Mandatum Apostolicum ("Apostolic Mandate", e.g. for a bishop's
consecration)
Mart., M., MM. — Martyr, Martyres ("Martyr", "Martyrs" — Breviary)
Mat. — Matutinum ("Matins" — Breviary)
Matr. — Matrimonum ("Marriage")
Mgr. — Monseigneur, Monsignore ("My Lord")
Miss. — Missa ("Mass" — Breviary); Missionarius ("Missionary")
Miss. Apost., M.A. — Missionarius Apostolicus ("Missionary Apostolic")
M.R. — Missionarius Rector ("Missionary Rector")
m.t.v. — mutatur terminatio versiculi ("the termination of the little verse is
changed" — Breviary)
Nativ. D.N.J.C. — Nativitas Domini Nostri Jesu Christi ("Nativity of Our Lord
Jesus Christ")
N. D. — Nostra Domina, Notre Dame ("Our Lady")
Nigr. — Niger ("Black" — Breviary)
No. — Nobis ("to us", "for us")
Nob. — Nobilis, Nobiles ("Noble", "Nobles")
Noct. — Nocturnum ("Nocturn")
Non. — Nonae ("Nones")
Nostr. — Noster, nostri ("Our", "of our")
Not. — Notitia ("Knowledge")
N.S. — Notre Seigneur, Nostro Signore ("Our Lord")
N.S. — New Style
N.T. — Novum Testamentum ("New Testament")
Ntri. — Nostri ("Of our")
Nup. — Nuptiae ("Nuptials")
Ob. — Obiit ("Died")
Oct. — Octava ("Octave" — Breviary)
Omn. — Omnes, Omnibus ("All", "to all")
Op. Cit. — Opere Citato ("In the work cited")
Or. — Oratio ("Prayer" — Breviary)
Ord. — Ordo, Ordinatio, Ordinarius ("Order", "Ordination", "Ordinary")
Or. Orat. — Orator ("Petitioner"), Oratorium ("Oratory")
O.S. — Old Style
O.T. — Old Testament
Oxon. — Oxonium, Oxonienses ("Oxford", "Theologians or Scholars of Oxford")
P. — Pater, Pere ("Father")
Pa. — Papa ("Pope"); Pater ("Father")
Pact. — Pactum ("Agreement")
Pasch. — Pascha ("Easter" — Breviary)
Patr. — Patriarcha ("Patriarch")
Pent. — Pentecostes ("Pentecost" — Breviary)
Ph.B. — Philosophiae Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of Philosophy")
Ph.D. — Philosophiae Doctor ("Doctor of Philosophy")
Phil. — Philosophia ("Philosophy")
Ph.M. — Philosophiae Magister ("Master of Philosophy")
P.K. — Pridie Kalendas ("The day before the Calends")
Poenit. — Poenitentia ("Penance")
Poenit. Ap. — Poenitentiaria Apostolica ("Office of the Apostolic Penitentiary")
Pont. — Pontifex ("Pontiff", i.e. Bishop — Breviary)
Pont. — Pontificatus ("Pontificate")
Pont. Max. — Pontifex Maximus ("Supreme Pontiff")
Poss. — Possessor, Possessio ("Possessor", "Possession")
PP. — Papa ("Pope"); Pontificum ("Of the popes")
P.P. — Parochus ("Parish Priest" — used mostly in Ireland)
PP. AA. — Patres Amplissimi ("Cardinals")
P.P.P. — Propria Pecunia Posuit ("Erected at his own expense")
P.R. — Permanens Rector ("Permanent Rector")
Praef. — Praefatio ("Preface" of the Mass — Breviary)
Presbit. — Presbyter, Priest
Prof. — Professus, Professio, Professor ("Professed", "Profession", "Professor")
Prop. Fid. — Propaganda Fide (Congregation of the Propaganda, Rome)
Propr. — Proprium ("Proper" — Breviary)
Prov. — Provisio, Provisum ("Provision", "Provided")
Ps. — Psalmus ("Psalm")
Pub., Publ. — Publicus, Publice ("Public", "Publicly")
Purg. Can. — Purgatio Canonica ("Canonical Disculpation")
Quadrag. — Quadragesima ("Lent", also the "Fortieth day" before Easter —
Breviary)
Quinquag. — Quinquagesima (The "Fiftieth day" before Easter — Breviary)
R. — Responsorium ("Responsory" — Breviary)
R. — Roma (Rome)
Rescr. — Rescriptum ("Rescript")
R.D. — Rural Dean
Req. — Requiescat ("May he [or she] rest", i.e. in peace)
Resp. — Responsum ("Reply")
R.I.P. — Requiescat In Pace ("May he or she rest in peace")
Rit. — Ritus ("Rite", "Rites")
Rom. — Romanus, Romana ("Roman")
R. P. — Reverendus Pater, Reverend Pere ("Reverend Father")
RR. — Rerum ("Of Things, Subjects" — e.g. SS. RR. Ital., Writers on Italian
[historical] subjects); Regesta
Rt. Rev. — Right Reverend
Rub. — Ruber ("Red" — Breviary)
Rubr. — Rubrica ("Rubric")
S., Sacr. — Sacrum ("Sacred")
Sab., Sabb. — Sabbatum ("Sabbath", Saturday)
Saec. — Saeculum (Century)
Sal. — Salus, Salutis ("Salvation", "of Salvation")
Salmant. — Salmanticenses (Theologians of Salamanca)
S.C. — Sacra Congregatio ("Sacred Congregation")
S.C.C. — Sacra Congregatio Concilii ("Sacred Congregation of the Council", i.e.
of Trent)
S.C.EE.RR. — Sacra Congregatio Episcoporum et Regularium ("Sacred Congregation
of Bishops and Regulars")
S.C.I. — Sacra Congregatio Indicis ("Sacred Congregation of the Index")
S.C.P.F. — Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide ("Sacred Congregation for the
Propagation of the Faith")
SCS — Sanctus ("Saint")
s.d. — sine datâ (undated book)
S.D. — Servus Dei (Servant of God)
Semid. — Semiduplex ("Semi" double feast — Breviary)
Septuag — Septuagesima ("Seventieth day" before Easter; always a Sunday —
Breviary)
Sexag. — Sexagesima ("Sixtieth day" before Easter — Breviary)
Sig. — Sigillum ("Seal")
Simpl. — Simplex ("Simple" feast — Breviary)
Sine Com. — Sine Commemoratione ("Without commemoration" of other feast, or
feasts — Breviary)
s.l. — sine loco ("without indication" of place of printing)
s.l.n.d. — sine loco nec data ("without indication of place" or "without date of
printing")
S.M. — Sanctae Memoriae ("Of Holy Memory")
Soc. — Socius, Socii ("Companion", "Companions" — Breviary)
S. Off. — Sanctum Officium (Congregation of the Holy Office, Inquisition)
S.P. — Sanctissime Pater ("Most Holy Father")
S.P., S. Petr. — Sanctus Petrus ("St. Peter")
S.P. — Summus Pontifex ("Supreme Pontiff", Pope)
S.P.A. — Sacrum Palatium Apostolicum ("Sacred Apostolic Palace", Vatican,
Quirinal)
Sr. — Sister
S.R.C. — Sacra Rituum Congregatio ("Sacred Congregation of Rites")
S.R.E. — Sancta Romana Ecclesia, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesia ("Most Holy Roman
Church"; or, "of the Most Holy Roman Church")
SS. — Scriptores ("Writers")
SS.D.N. — Sanctissimus Dominus Noster ("Our Most Holy Lord [Jesus Christ]", also
a title of the Pope)
S., SS. — Sanctus, Sancti ("Saint", "Saints")
S.T.B. — Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus ("Bachelor of Sacred Theology")
S.T.D. — Sacred Theologiae Doctor ("Doctor of Sacred Theology")
S.T.L. — Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus ("Licentiate of Sacred Theology")
Suffr. — Suffragia ("Suffrages" — i.e. prayers of the saints; Breviary)
S.V. — Sanctitas Vestra ("Your Holiness")
Syn. — Synodus ("Synod")
Temp. — Tempus, Tempore ("Time", "in time")
Test. — Testes, Testimonium ("Witnesses", "Testimony")
Theol. — Theologia ("Theology")
Tit. — Titulus, Tituli ("Title", "Titles")
Ult. — Ultimo ("Last" — day, month, year)
Usq. — Usque ("As far as")
Ux. — Uxor ("Wife")
V., Ven., VV. — Venerabilis, Venerabiles ("Venerable")
V., Vest. — Vester ("Your")
Vac. — Vacat, Vacans ("Vacant")
Val. — Valor ("Value")
Vat. — Vaticanus ("Vatican")
Vba. — Verba ("Words")
Vers. — Versiculus ("Versicle" — Breviary)
Vesp. — Vesperae ("Vespers" — Breviary)
V.F., Vic. For. — Vicarius Foraneus ("Vicar-Forane")
V.G. — Vicarius Generalis ("Vicar-General")
Vid. — Vidua ("Widow" — Breviary)
Vid., Videl. — Videlicet ("Namely")
Vig. — Vigilia ("Vigil" of a feast — Breviary)
Viol. — Violaceus ("Violet" — Breviary)
Virg. — Virgo ("Virgin" — Breviary)
Virid. — Viridis ("Green" — Breviary)
V.M. — Vir Magnificus ("Great Man")
V. Rev. — Very Reverend
V.T. — Vetus Testamentum
XC., XCS. — Christus ("Christ" — first, middle, and last letters of the Greek
name)



ABBREVIATIONS IN CATACOMB INSCRIPTIONS

A.D. — Ante Diem (e.g. in the phrase, "Ante Diem VI [or Sextum] Kal. Apriles",
is equivalent to the sixth day before the Calends of April, counting both the
Calends and the day intended to be indicated); or Anima Dulcis ("Sweet Soul")
A.Q.I.C. — Anima Quiescat In Christo ("May his [or her] Soul Repose in Christ")
B., BMT. — Bene Merenti ("To the Well-Deserving")
B.M. — Bonae Memoriae ("Of Happy Memory")
B.F. — Bonae Feminae ("To the Good Woman")
B.I.C. — Bibas [for Vivas] In Christo ("May you Live In Christ")
B.M.F. — Bene Merenti Fecit ("He erected this to the Well-Deserving")
B.Q. — Bene Quiescat ("May he [or she] Rest Well")
C. — Consul
CC. — Consules ("Consuls")
C.F. — Clarissima Femina ("Most Illustrious Woman")
Cl. V. — Clarissimus Vir ("Most Illustrious Man")
C.O. — Conjugi Optimo ("To my Excellent Husband")
C.O.B.Q. — Cum Omnibus Bonis Quiescat ("May he [or she] Repose With All Good
souls")
COI. — Conjugi ("To my Husband [or Wife]")
CS., COS. — Consul
COSS. — Consules ("Consuls")
C.P. — Clarissima Puella ("Most Illustrious Maiden")
D. — Depositus ("Laid to rest"); or Dulcis ("Dear One")
D.D. — Dedit, Dedicavit ("Gave", "Dedicated")
DEP. — Depositus ("Laid to rest")
D.I.P. — Dormit In Pace ("Sleeps in Peace")
D.M. — Diis Manibus ("To the Manes [of]")
D.M.S. — Diis Manibus Sacrum ("Sacred to the Manes [of]")
D.N. — Domino Nostro ("To Our Lord")
DD. NN. — Dominis Nostris ("To Our Lords")
E.V. — Ex Voto ("In Fulfilment of a Vow")
EX. TM. — Ex Testamento ("In accordance with the Testament of")
E VIV. DISC. — E Vivis Discessit ("Departed from Life")
F. — Fecit ("Did"); or Filius ("Son"); or Feliciter ("Happily")
F.C. — Fieri Curavit ("Caused to be made")
F.F. — Fieri Fecit ("Caused to be made")
FF. — Fratres ("Brothers"); Filii ("Sons")
FS. — Fossor ("Digger")
H. — Haeres ("Heir"); Hic ("Here")
H.L.S. — Hoc Loco Situs ("Laid [or Put] in This Place")
H.M.F.F. — Hoc Monumentum Fieri Fecit ("Caused This Monument to be Made")
H.S. — Hic Situs ("Laid Here")
ID. — Idibus ("On the Ides")
IDNE. — Indictione ("In the Indiction" — a chronological term)
I.L.H. — Jus Liberorum Habens ("Possessing the Right of Children" — i.e.,
eligibility to public office under age)
INB. — In Bono ("In Good [odour]")
IND. — Same as IDNE
INP — In Pace ("In Peace")
I.X. — In Christo ("In Christ")
K. — Kalendas ("Calends"); or Care, Carus, Cara ("Dear One"); or Carissimus[a]
("Dearest")
K.B.M. — Karissimo Bene Merenti ("To the Most Dear and Well-deserving")
L. — Locus ("Place")
L.M. — Locus Monumenti ("Place of the Monument")
L.S. — Locus Sepulchri ("Place of the Sepulchre")
M. — Martyr, or Memoria ("Memory") or Monumentum ("Monument")
MM. — Martyres ("Martyrs")
M.P. — Monumentum Posuit ("Erected a Monument")
MRT. — Merenti ("To the Deserving")
N. — Nonas ("Nones"); or Numero ("Number")
NN. — Nostris ("To Our" — with a plural) or Numeri ("Numbers")
O. — Hora ("Hour"); Obiit ("Died")
OB. IN XTO. — Obiit In Christo ("Died In Christ")
OMS. — Omnes ("All")
OP. — Optimus (Excellent, or Supremely Good)
P. — Pax ("Peace"); or Pius ("Dutiful"); or Ponendum ("To be Placed"); or Pridie
("The Day Before"); or Plus ("More")
P.C. — Poni Curavit ("Caused to be Placed")
P.C., P. CONS. — Post Consulatum ("After the Consulate")
P.I. — Poni Jussit ("Ordered to be Placed")
P.M. — Plus Minus ("More or Less"); or Piae Memoriae ("Of Pious Memory"); or
Post Mortem ("After Death")
PP. — Praepositus ("Placed over")
PR.K. — Pridie Kalendas ("The Day Before the Calends")
PRB. — Presbyter ("Priest")
PR.N. — Pridie Nonas ("The Day Before the Nones")
P.T.C.S. — Pax Tibi Cum Sanctis ("Peace to Thee With the Saints")
PZ. — Pie Zeses ("May you Live Piously" — Greek)
Q., Qui. — Quiescit ("He Rests")
Q.B.AN. — Qui Bixit [for Vixit] Annos ("Who lived . . . years")
Q.I.P. — Quiescat In Pace ("May he [or she] Rest in Peace")
Q.V. — Qui Vixit ("Who Lived")
R. — Requiescit ("He Rests"); or Refrigerio ("In [a place of] Refreshment")
Reg. — Regionis ("Of the Region")
S. — Suus ("His"); or Situs ("Placed"); or Sepulchrum ("Sepulchre")
SC. M. — Sanctae Memoriae ("Of Holy Memory")
SD. — Sedit ("He sat")
SSA. — Subscripta ("Subscribed")
S.I.D. — Spiritus In Deo ("Spirit [rests] in God")
S.P. — Sepultus ("Buried"); or Sepulchrum ("Sepulchre")
SS. — Sanctorum (Of the Saints)
S.V. — Sacra Virgo ("Holy Virgin")
T., TT. — Titulus, Tituli ("Title", "Titles")
TM. — Testamentum ("Testament")
V. — Vixit ("He Lived"); or Vixisti ("Thou didst Live")
VB. — Vir Bonus ("A Good Man")
V.C. — Vir Clarissimus ("A Most Illustrious Man")
VV. CC. — Viri Clarissimi ("Most Illustrious Men")
V.H. — Vir Honestus ("A Worthy Man")
V. X. — Vivas, Care [or Cara] ("Mayest thou Live, Dear One"); or Uxor Carissima
("Most Dear Wife")
X., XPC., XS. — Christus ("Christ")

ABBREVIATIONS OF TITLES OF THE PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS ORDERS AND CONGREGATIONS OF
PRIESTS

A.A. — Augustiniani Assumptionis (Assumptionists)
A.B.A. — Antoniani Benedictini Armeni (Mechitarists)
C.J.M. — Congregation Jesu et Mariae (Eudist Fathers)
C.M. — Congregatio Missionis (Lazarists)
C.M. — Congregatio Mariae (Fathers of the Company of Mary)
C.P. — Congregatio Passionis (Passionists)
C.PP.S. — Congregatio Pretiosissimi Sanguinis (Fathers of the Most Precious
Blood)
C.R. — Congregatio Resurrectionis (Resurrectionist Fathers)
C.R.C.S. — Clerici Regulares Congregationis Somaschae (Somaschi Fathers)
C.R.I.C. — Canonici Regulares Immaculate Conecptionis ("Canons Regular of the
Immaculate Conception")
C.R.L. — Canonici Regulares Lateranenses ("Canons Regular of the Lateran")
C.R.M. — Clerici Regulares Minores ("Clerks Regular Minor", Mariani)
C.R.M.D. — Clerici Regulares Matris Dei ("Clerks Regular of the Mother of God")
C.R.M.I. — Clerici Regulares Ministrantes Infirmis ("Clerks Regular Attendant on
the Sick", Camillini, Camilliani)
C.R.P. — Congregatio Reformatorum Praemonstratensium (Premonstratensians)
C.R.S.P. — Clerici Regulares Sancti Pauli (Barnabites)
C.R.S.P. — Clerici Regulares Pauperum Matris Dei Scholarum Piarum ("Clerks
Regular of the Poor Men of the Mother of God for Pious Schools", Piarists)
C.R.T. — Clerici Regulares Theatini (Theatines)
C.S.B. — Congregatio Sancti Basilii (Basilians)
C.S.C. — Congregatio Sanctae Crucis (Fathers and Brothers of the Holy Cross)
C.S.P. — Congregatio Sancti Pauli (Paulists)
C.S.Sp. — Congregatio Sancti Spiritus (Fathers of the Holy Ghost)
C.S.V. — Clerici Sancti Viatoris (Clerks, or Clerics, of St. Viateur)
C.SS.CC. — Congregatio Sacratissimorum Cordium (Missionaries of the Sacred
Hearts of Jesus and Mary)
C. SS. R. — Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris (Redemptorists)
Inst. Char. — Institutum Charitatis (Rosminians)
M.C. — Missionaries of Charity
M.S. — Missionaries of La Salette [France]
M.S.C. — Missionarii Sancti Caroli ("Missionaries of St. Charles")
M.S.C. — Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis ("Missionaries of the Most Sacred
Heart")
O.C. — Ordo Charitatis (Fathers of the Order of Charity)
O. Camald. — Ordo Camaldulensium (Camaldolese)
O. Cart. — Ordo Cartusiensis (Carthusians)
O. Cist. — Ordo Cisterciensium (Cistercians)
O.C.C. — Ordo Carmelitarum Calceatorum (Carmelites)
O.C.D. — Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum (Discalced, or Barefoot, Carmelites)
O.C.R. — Ordo Reformatorum Cisterciensium (Cistercians, Trappists)
O.F.M. — Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Observant Franciscans)
O.M. — Ordo [Fratrum] Minimorum (Minims of St. Francis of Paul)
O. Merced. — Ordo Beatae Mariae Virginis de Redemptione Captivorum
(Mercedarians, Nolaschi)
O.M.C. — Ordo Minorum Conventualium (Conventual Franciscans)
O.M. Cap., O.F.M. Cap., O.M.C. — Ordo Minorum Cappucinorum (Capuchins)
O.M.I. — Oblati Mariae Immaculatae (Oblate Fathers of Mary Immaculate)
O.P., Ord Fratr. Praed. — Ordo Praedicatorum (Dominicans)
Ord. Praem. — Ordo Praemonstratensium (Premonstratensians, Norbertines)
O.S.A. — Ordo [Eremitarum] Sancti Augustini (Augustinians)
O.S.B. — Ordo Sancti Benedicti (Benedictines)
O.S.C. — Oblati Sancti Caroli (Oblate Fathers of St. Charles)
O.S.F.C. — Ordinis Sancti Francisci Capuccini (Franciscan Capuchins)
O.S.F.S. — Oblati Sancti Francisci Salesii (Oblate Fathers of St. Francis of
Sales)
O.S.H. — Ordo [Eremitarum] Sancti Hieronymi (Hieronymites)
O.S.M. — Ordo Servorum Mariae (Servites)
O.SS.C. — Oblati Sacratissimi Cordis ("Oblate Fathers of the Sacred Heart")
O. Trinit. — Ordo Sanctissimae Trinitatis (Trinitarians)
P.O. — Pr tres de l Oratoire, Presbyteri Oratorii (Oratorians)
P.S.M. — Pia Societas Missionum (Fathers of the Pious Society of Missions,
Pallottini)
P.S.S. — Presbyteri Sancti Sulpicii, Pr tres de S. Sulpice (Sulpicians)
S.C. — Salesianorum Congregatio (Congregation of St. Francis of Sales — Salesian
Fathers)
S.D.S. — Societas Divini Salvatoris ("Society of the Divine Saviour")
S.D.V. — Societas Divini Verbi (Fathers of the Divine Word)
S.J. — Societas Jesu ("Society of Jesus", i.e. the Jesuits)
S.M. — Societas Mariae (Marists)
S.P.M. — Societas Patrum Misericordiae (Fathers of Mercy)
S.S.S. — Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti (Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament)




SOURCES

Most manuals of palaeography (Greek and Latin) contain lists of Abbreviations
(ancient and medieval), some of which are yet of ecclesiastical interest, while
others have long since become obsolete or rare, and concern only the reader of
manuscripts. Some manuals of diplomatics, likewise, have useful lists of
pontifical chancery abbreviations, e.g. QUANTIN, Dict. de diplomatique
chrétienne (Paris, 1846). 26-42, and Prou (Paris, 1902). in the latter work may
be seen the original script-forms of these Abbreviations. Facsimiles of
abbreviated pontifical documents may be seen, e.g. in DENIFLE, Specimina
Palaeographica ab Innoc. III ad Urban. V. (Rome, 1888) The Abbreviations in
Greek manuscripts were first scientifically studied by the Benedictine
MONTFAUCON in his famous Palaeographica Graeca (Paris, 1708); see the
lntroductions to Greek Palaeography of GARDTHAUSEN and WATTENBACH The little
work, Modus legendi abreviaturas in jure tam civili quam pontificio occurrentes
(Venice, 1596), is one of the earliest attempts at a dictionary of medieval
abbreviations. A very useful work for all Latin abbreviations is that of
CAPELLI, Dizionario delle abbreviature latine ed italiane (Milan, 1900); it is
written mostly in Latin and describes all the abbreviations ordinarily used in
Latin and Italian documents, civil or ecclesiastical. Other valuable works
dealing specifically with abbreviations in pontifical documents are DE LA BRANA,
Signos y Abreviaturas que se usan en los documentos pontificios (Leon, 1884);
RODENBERG, Epistolae saec. XIII e regestis RR. PP. selectae (Berlin, 1883), I,
323. For an extensive list of the abbreviations in the epitaphs of the Catacombs
see KRAUS, Real-Encycl. der Christi. Alterth. (Freiburg, 1886), I, 47-51. The
chapters on abbreviations of medieval manuscripts in the palaeographical manuals
of DE WAILLY (Paris, 1843), CHASSANT (Paris, 1885), PAOLI (Florence, 1891),
REUSENS (Louvain, 1899), CARINI (Rome, 1889), and THOMPSON (London, 1903) are
recommended, also the excellent Lateinische Paläographie of STEFFENS (Freiburg,
Switzerland, 1903, 3 vols. fol. with many plates). See BATTANDIER,
Abbréviations, in Ann. Pont. Cath. (Paris 1900), 527-538.


ABOUT THIS PAGE

APA citation. Shahan, T. (1907). Ecclesiastical Abbreviations. In The Catholic
Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01022a.htm

MLA citation. Shahan, Thomas. "Ecclesiastical Abbreviations." The Catholic
Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907.
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01022a.htm>.



Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.

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