Abbé
Abbé (from Latin abbas, in turn from Greek ἀββᾶς, abbas, from Aramaic abba, title of honour, literally "the father, my father," emphatic state of abh, "father")[1] is the French word for abbot. It is the title for lower-ranking Catholic clergymen in France.[2]
A concordat passed between Pope Leo X and Francis I of France (between 1515 and 1521),[3] gave the kings of France the right to nominate 255 commendatory abbots (abbés commendataires) for almost all French abbeys, who received income from a monastery without needing to render a service.[citation needed]
Since the mid-16th century, the title abbé has been used for all young clergymen with or without consecration.[2] Their clothes consisted of a black or dark violet robes with a small collar; they were tonsured.[citation needed]
Since those abbés only rarely commanded an abbey, they often worked in upper-class families as tutors, spiritual directors, etc.;[2] others became writers.[citation needed]
See also
Notes
- ^ Harper, Douglas. "abbot". Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ^ a b c A'Becket 1913.
- ^ A'Becket 1913 cites Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. III under Kinds of Abbot
References
- A'Becket, John J (1913). . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
External links
- . The Nuttall Encyclopædia. 1907.
- . Collier's New Encyclopedia. 1921.