Why are Canons Regular addressed as “Dom”?
“Dom” is a venerable title still used properly by the older Orders (e.g. Benedictines, Canons, Cistercians, etc…). It is short for the Latin word Dominus, meaning “lord”. A title given out of respect, it applies equally to all members of the community, whether they are ordained and in solemn vows or not. In the Austrian usage, the title “Dom” is translated in two ways. For the ordained, it is rendered in German as Hochwrdige Herr, which means literally “high-worthy gentleman” or more freely “very reverend sir.” The non-ordained are addressed as Ehrwrdiger Herr, loosely translated as “reverend sir.” At Stift Klosterneuburg at least, the term “Brother” is not generally used. With respect to the title “Father,” this term is not generally used in the German-speaking world. In the English speaking world however many canons have adopted this usage.
