The Tradition and Etiquette of Calling Cards

10 October 2019 (ORCNS) - The calling card, or visiting card as it is sometimes known, is almost a lost custom in modern society. Yet, like the oaks that have seen kings and wars and plagues come and go, the calling card refuses to die. The calling card, distinct from the business card, is left when paying social calls. It has quite a few other uses that are part of its centuries-old tradition as well. Even in today’s rushed, sterile society…

and perhaps even more so because of the modern hurried, faceless environment…the calling card remains the mark of a lady or gentleman of class and distinction. To use calling cards is to have self-respect and respect for others. It is a reminder to those you encounter that you are thinking of them, despite your busy life. No lady or gentleman should leave the house without calling cards.

On a business card, one normally sees the name of the company, perhaps a logo, the individual’s name, and a full array of contact information. By comparison, the calling card is quite plain. Most traditionally, cards are white, with the name printed in black ink in block text or a script (rarely if ever should “Old English” or overly fancy fonts be used). There ends the required inclusions. Some sort of small heraldic emblem may optionally be placed in the corner or the top center. An address may be put in the bottom right corner, but this is not obligatory and typically superfluous. Telephone numbers and email addresses ought also to be avoided, but especially today they are often included. Most traditionally, an individual writes the address or telephone or internet information by hand at the time that the card is presented…and only when those pieces of information are needed. In any case, the bottom left should be left blank.

Style of the Name on the Calling Card

A calling card should indicate how you should be introduced by, for example, a butler or valet. So, names should be written out in full. Middle names may be omitted or abbreviated as needed. Other than Mr. and Mrs., titles should be spelled out except where space is a concern. For nobles and royals with styles such as Excellency, and Highness, these are typically omitted, as they are generally “implied” by what is on the card.

Boys who do not have titles of nobility simply have their name inscribed in the center of the card. They may adopt “Mr.” upon reaching the age of majority. Girls who do not have a title of nobility use “Miss” until they marry. The modern female business title of “Ms.” has no place on a social calling card.

Married women of gentlemen have their names inscribed as “Mrs.” followed by the full name of their husband. The possible variations for the wives of knights and nobles are too numerous to discuss in detail here. However, a good rule of thumb is that the wife’s card follows the same general style of the husband’s. This varies by the customs of the country of origin of the title and should generally not vary according to the country of residence or visitation.

Names should also never exceed a single line. Titles and, on occasion, offices such as Mayor or Governor may be written on another line or lines below the name as needed. Ultimately good taste and functionality determine the final layout of the card.

Exceptions exist, of course. For example, U.S. military officers, who are often expected to have calling cards, have a specific set of rules to follow. For junior officers, the name is in the center of the card, with the rank and branch of the service in the bottom right. For senior officers, the rank is placed before the name on the same line, with the branch in the bottom right. General and Flag officers may write “General” or “Admiral” with only their last name in the center of the card if they choose.

Joint Spouse Calling Cards

Married couples may also have calling cards. These may be used, along with the couple’s individual cards, when paying a formal visit. The joint card may also be used for gift enclosures. Joint cards are inscribed as “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” or in a similar fashion for those with noble titles.

Use of Calling Cards

Calling cards are used, of course, when paying a formal call on someone. In the most formal circumstances, an attendant will take the card of the visitor to the host. It is also used to announce the visitor. When the host is not at home (which may mean simply “not receiving visitors”), a calling card says “I was here.”

When one receives an invitation that did not say r.s.v.p. or have a reply card, and one cannot attend, it is customary and polite to send one’s calling card by post to arrive on the day of the event or shortly before.

Cards may also be used as gift enclosures, to express condolences, or to give congratulations. They can also be used to convey information or to send/leave very brief notes.

In cases where one is leaving a card for a good friend with whom one is on a first name basis, one may cross out the parts of the name on the calling card except for the first name. Or, if there is a nickname, the entire name can be crossed out and the nickname written by hand above it. This is by no means obligatory. Notes may also be written on the front and/or back of the card.

Those Curious Initials in the
Bottom Left Corner

To make communication easier, a system of abbreviations in French developed over the years. These are written by hand in the bottom left corner of the card…which is why that corner should always be left blank in the printing process!

p.r. (pour remercier) 
To indicate thanks. (Should never take the place of a proper letter/note of thanks.)

p.f. (pour feliciter) 
To express congratulations.

p.c. (pour condoler) 
To express sympathy.

p.p.c. (pour prendre congé) 
Used when taking leave for the season or permanently. Though these may be left or sent as an advance notice, they should never be used solely in place of a formal call.

p.p. (pour presenter) 
To present another person. This should be accompanied by the card
of the person being presented.

p.f.N.A.
To wish a Happy New Year.

The Church and the Death Penalty -- Modern & Historical

8 October 2019 (ORCNS) - The death penalty is certainly a controversial topic in Catholicism today. Unlike some issues, though, there is actually plenty of room for disagreement. Good Catholics may hold divergent views on this topic as long as they are well-grounded in doctrine and theology, with a love of humanity in the model of Christ. As Pope St. John Paul II expressed, there is little if any actual need for the death penalty today. However, this was not always the practice of the Church during the different circumstances that existed in the past. Though obviously no element of the Church today imposes a death sentence, it was a different matter in earlier periods of Church history.

Reigning from the late 1800s to just after the turn of the 20th century, Pope Leo XIII stated that the church possessed the right to impose the death penalty and that it was just to impose it for offenses such as spreading heresies, for the damage to the soul is by far greater than anything a murderer could ever do. However, Leo also made it clear that the Church in her mercy, following the example of Christ, does not actually impose such a penalty or promote it being imposed. That was just over 100 years in the past, which, in the span of Church history, is not that long ago. Even with Leo's justification of the death penalty as a right of the Church, it was clear that its ultimate purpose was for the good of souls, and it was further made very clear that the Holy Church is merciful and would not and should not actually impose such a penalty or promote it being imposed.

Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor

Earlier in church history came an institution that enemies of the church, Protestants, and indeed modern society have all continually slandered. Truly, the Spanish Inquisition is the subject of much "fake news," both centuries ago and still to this day. If one actually considers the reality of what the Grand Inquisitor Tomás de Torquemada actually did, it paints a different picture. He was in fact known as a man of great piety and caring for others, and he softened the whole interrogation method so that it was quite mild by the standards of the day. And, the conditions of interrogation were highly controlled and limited, unlike those of the civil state. As Blessed Fulton Sheen pointed out some years ago, the church has vices, but at any given time in history, the church's vices are far better and far better meaning than those of the civil state. 

In the case of the Inquisition, the death sentence was only ever imposed for repeat offenders. When they were at the stake, they were given the chance to repent. If they did, they were immediately strangled. That seems certainly harsh to modern ears, but at the time the point was to prevent them from being able to sin again, thereby helping to ensure their salvation. Only if they did not repent were they then burned at the stake – but even that had its spiritual purpose. The hope of those at that time was that the flames would give them a picture of the flames of hell, thereby prompting a last-minute repentance before actual moment of death. Of course, this seems surely thoroughly odd to most modern ears, but it is not right to judge another age by the standards of this age. The Church, of course, promotes salvation and repentance exclusively through non-violent means now. 

Throughout the Church is history, even when a death sentence was involved, whether related to the Church or criminal proceedings of the civil state, the Church was far more interested in the condition of souls and in mercy than in the laws of man. Today that same sentiment remains, following the example of Christ.

The Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate and the Discovery of the New World

Servant of God Isabella the Catholic

The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus under charter from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, whether or not others from outside the Americas may have arrived first, was ultimately responsible for the eventual trade and interaction between Europe and the Americas. It quickly became an oceanic version of the Silk Road, allowing for the trade of goods, the flow of money, and the exchange of ideas. 

Chief among the goals of the Most Catholic Monarchy of Spain and of the Papacy was to bring the Catholic Faith to the peoples of the New World. The results of the interaction of Europe with the New World may not have been perfect, but truly the same can be said about interactions between people in Europe, as well as those that existed in the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans - and even those that take place around the world to this day. Though its consequences are still being debated to this day, it is indisputable that the voyages of Columbus and subsequent voyages of discovery changed the world forever. They helped to solidify the Renaissance and its establishment of the modern era and supported the launch  into the Baroque and ever-new eras of growth, discovery, and advancement.

Ferdinand the Catholic

The Imperial Patriarchate, as heir to the Burgundian House of Arles and the Spanish Houses of Ivrea and Barcelona in Imperial Italy, maintains a special historical link to the discovery of the New World. Isabella of Castile y León was of the House of Trastámara, an illegitimate but recognised branch of the House of Ivrea. The House of Ivrea was ultimately of ancient Burgundian origin and ruled parts of Italy and provided several Kings of Italy in the Holy Roman Empire. It was also descended from the House of Arles in Burgundy, which provided rulers of various parts of Italy, and Kings of Italy and Vice-Kings of Italy and the Holy Roman Empire. Bosone of Arles, King of Lower Burgundy and Vice-King of Italy, one of the founding fathers of the heritage of the Imperial Patriarchate, was an important figure in that line. From Italy and Burgundy, they went to Spain and ruled as Kings of Castile y León an

Christopher Columbus

d Emperors of All Spain.

The marriage of Isabella with Ferdinand of Aragón once again united the Spanish territories. Ferdinand, as King of Aragón, was descended via a female line from the House of Barcelona line of Kings of Aragón, which also had been Counts of Gévaudan in Occitania in modern-day France. James I, King of Aragón sold the title to King St. Louis IX of France, and the shortly thereafter the title passed to the Bishops of Mende, who ruled as Count-Bishops until the title went into abeyance at the French Revolution. The title of Count of Gévaudan today is held by the head of the Merovingian House of David-Toulouse-Gévaudan, while the title of Count of Sainte Animie, which is located in Gévaudan, is held by the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarch.

The successors of the Burgundian House of Arles and the Spanish Houses of Ivrea and Barcelona in Imperial Italy continue today as the Imperial Patriarchate, perpetuating faith and heritage in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the New World. Centuries earlier, the successors of the Houses of Ivrea, Arles, and Barcelona in Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, launched the expedition of discovery that found the New World and ultimately led to the New World being opened up to Europe. Pope Leo X, principal founder of the heritage of the Imperial Patriarchate, was a keen supporter of the early age of discovery. It was the beginning of a new global network that continues to expand today. Indeed, thanks to their legacy, the global ministry of the Imperial Patriarchate spans not only its historic European territory, but also North and South America.

ARRCC Chaplain Participates in Emergency Response Drills at Airport

LEXINGTON, SC. 19 Sept. 2019 (ORCNS) - Walsingham Guard Commandant of the Regiment of Chaplains, Mgr. Abbot Anthony Giunta, TOR Mar, PhD, JCD recently participated in a series of emergency services exercises. The drills were designed to help first responders hone there skills for dealing with critical incidents such as a plane crash. The event was held at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina, USA, and was staged as a friendly test between the emergency services of Richland and Lexington counties. Participants included representatives of police departments, fire departments, emergency medical services, the Red Cross, and chaplain services. Abbot Anthony, a Franciscan with the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church, also serves as a chaplain with the Irmo fire district in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as with police and hospitals.

Allocution of the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarch on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

PATRIARCHAL SEE 8 September 2019 (ORCNS) - Patriarchal Allocution on the Feast of the Nativity of the of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Don Rutherford I.

FROM the Florentine Household to the Christian faithful around the world and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and our Apostolic Blessing on this Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year of our Lord 2019. First, we turn our attention to the Caribbean, the scene of the destruction of the recent hurricane. This is a region quite dear to me, but that notwithstanding, it is always difficult to see such human suffering. We therefore suggest that those who are able consider contributions to appropriate charitable and humanitarian organisations to attend to the needs of those in the affected regions.

Within the Imperial Patriarchate, We are again pleased with the growth of operations and, of course, thanks to the diligent efforts of those involved, the recent grant of special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Since the outreach mission of the Imperial Patriarchate is quite in line with so much of the mission of the Economic and Social Council, We believe this is an excellent match that will help to further our work around the world.

We also congratulate Our various officials who have received special recognition and accolades this year. It is always a pleasure to see good people recognised for their diligent work.

Let us pray as well for those who are discerning vocations and are currently studying for vocations that God may guide them on the right path.

Additionally, on this feast and celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, having been immaculately conceived, we are reminded of her voluntary act. She was not required to accept the Holy Spirit and to give birth to Christ, but She did. It was through that voluntary act that Christ came into the world. We likewise have the option to choose or not to choose in our faith, and one of the most important areas is in the striving towards Christian unity. We do not need to think that any sense of Christian unity in a complete form will necessarily happen in our lifetime. Yet, we nevertheless should strive for it or for any part of it that we may obtain. We do good work when we find areas of overlap with our Christian brethren. We do good work when we find opportunities for cooperation without compromise. These are better options than simply saying “they” are “them” and “we” are “us.”

We can work towards unity. We can work towards cooperation – voluntarily – or we can voluntarily seek to stay apart. The latter in most cases is so often the result of some sort of sanctimonious arrogance and is quite unfortunate to see, but nevertheless underscores the fallen state of mankind. Let us therefore on this feast of the Nativity of Mary look to her example and extend a hand in brotherhood to all.

May God bless each of you on this very special feast of Mary and as we enter into the new liturgical year, which, for the Imperial Patriarchate, has been designated the Liturgical Year of Christian Unity.

Cordial Saludo del Patriarca Imperial a los Pueblos de las Tierras Hispanicas

PATRIARCHAL SEE 4 September 2019 (ORCNS) - Del Archipadre, un cordial saludo a los pueblos de las tierras hispanicas en agradecimiento por su apoyo al Patriarcado Imperial y en honor a su patrimonio compartido.

From the Archfather, cordial greeting to people of the Spanish lands in thanks for their support of the Imperial Patriarchate and in honour of their shared heritage.

Legacy of the Royal Order of St. Stephen

PATRIARCHAL SEE 30 August 2019 (ORCNS) - The Royal Order of St. Stephen is a religious and dynastic order of chivalry within the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate (Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church) as successors to Countess Matilda, Margravine of Tuscany and Vice-Queen of Italy in the Holy Roman Empire and Pope Leo X de' Medici. The order is under the hereditary protection of the Royal House of Etruria in the Holy Roman Empire. It is typically awarded for specific service to the House, as well as to recognize persons of noble lineage for exceptional and selfless service to the Church, their professions, their communities, non-profit service organizations, or humanity in general. The order particularly represents the titular territories within the Patriarchal patrimony of Würzburg/Franconia, Valais, Florence, and Tuscany.

Cosimo I de' Medici,
Grand Duke of Tuscany

The order, one of several orders dedicated to one of several Saints by the name of Stephen, traces its roots back to the Military Order of St. Stephen I, Pope & Martyr, founded by the Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I, in 1561. Following the death of Gian Gastone de' Medici in 1737, the Tuscan order was part of the Habsburg Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the Holy Roman Empire. The Habsburgs also founded a Hungarian Order of St. Stephen I, in memory of the Hungarian King Stephen I. After the expulsion of the Habsburgs from Tuscany by Napoleon on 3 August 1801, the territory was renamed the Kingdom of Etruria (deriving from the ancient Etruscans, Etruria is synonymous with Tuscany and was the Latin form). The kingdom maintained the Tuscan Order of St. Stephen until its dissolution in 1807. The Holy Roman Empire having been illegally dissolved by the Habsburgs, a new Grand Duchy of Tuscany was formed in 1814 as a satellite of the Habsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire. They likewise maintained a Tuscan Order of St. Stephen.

Bosone d'Arles, King of Lower Burgundy & Provence,
Vice-King of Italy (left) with an image of St. Stephen
the Deacon at the Abbey of Charlieu, Burgundy

The Royal Order of St. Stephen under the Imperial Patriarchate is a successor to the original Medici Tuscan Order as a religious and dynastic order under ecclesiastical authority in succession from both Matilda, Margravine of Tuscany and Pope Leo X. However, the Royal Order changed its patron saint to St. Stephen the Deacon and Protomartyr. This was in part to differentiate it, pointing to its origins in the early days of the Tuscan order. St. Stephen was the saint in whose honour the Basilica of Arles was

Sash and medal of a
Knight Grand Cross of
the Royal Order of St. Stephen

dedicated, with Arles/Burgundy being the origin of the early rulers of Tuscany and Italy from whom the line of the Etrurian and Florentine household descends. Since Stephen the Deacon was also an important saint in Tuscany and the Imperial Patriarchate is dedicated to his eternal memory. An important feast of St. Stephen the Deacon is 3 August, the day that the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was ended in favour of the Kingdom of Etruria. Additionally, St. Stephen I, Pope and Martyr was archdeacon to his predecessor as pope. As St. Stephen the Deacon is patron saint of deacons, the dedication of the Royal Order to him also retains the legacy of St. Stephen I the Pope.

Matilda, Margravine
of Tuscany

The order is given in two divisions, Civil and ecclesiastical, and three ranks, Knight or Dame of Honour (limited to 100), Grand Cross (limited to 50), and Grand Collar (limited to 25). Also, the Oblates Regular of Saint Stephen for the Help of the Poor are the professed knights and dames of the order. The Patron Saint of the Order is Saint Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr. The feast day known as the Invention of Saint Stephen, on which the Saint's body was found, occurs on the third of August, the day on which the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was formally ended in favour of the Kingdom of Etruria. The insignia consists of a red cross for the blessed martyr Stephen. In between the four points of the cross are gold eagles, taken from the Santa Croce Badge found in the Etrurian and Patriarchal flag, coat of arms, and other symbols. The ribbon of a Knight or Dame of Honour is solid red. The ribbon of Knights and Dames of the Grand Cross is red and white, taken from the colours of the patrimony of the Imperial Patriarchate in Valais, Würzburg/Franconia, Florence, and Tuscany, as well as the colours of the Spanish House of Ivrea and the Burgundian House of Arles, of which the Patriarchate is successor in Imperial Italy.