VMs: Re: "M." Georg Barchius

[Dana Scott <dfscott@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I wonder if the M. might refer to 'Monsignore'. Merriam-Webster's date for
this title is 1641 (close enough). The definition given is 'a Roman
Catholic prelate having a dignity or titular distinction (as of domestic
prelate or protonotary apostolic) usually conferred by the pope -- used as
a title prefixed to the surname or to the given name and surname'. Maybe
not, but at least it makes for some interesting
possibilities/conversation.

Regards,
Dana Scott

Jorge Stolfi wrote:

> I don't recall whether this has been discussed before:
>
> The letter from Georg Baresch to Kircher (1639), which Rene located in
> the Carteggio, is signed "M. Georgius Baresch". Later, in a letter
> from Marci to to Kircher (1640), his name is given as "M. Georg
> Barschius".
>
> What does the "M." stand for in these names? Is it a Church title? As
> I recall from many other letters from the Carteggio, "P." stood for
> Priest, "F." for Friar., "D." for Doctor. And I see the word "abati"
> in Marci's letter, a few lines down. Unfortunately I can't understand
> enough Latin to tell whether Marci is still referring to Baresch.
> Note that Marci's name is written without any title, both by
> Baresch and by Marci himself.
>
> On the other hand, if Baresch was a religious man, I would have
> expected him to use a more "insider" greeting, like "Brother in
> Christ" than the standard "Reverende et Eximie Domine in Christo
> Pater".
>
> All the best,
>
> --stolfi