Laudetur Jesus Christus

A 2011 plaque on a wayside cross in Czech that includes the phrase, “Praised be Lord Jesus Christ, forever and ever, Amen!”, in Zlátenka, Czech Republic

Laudetur Jesus Christus or Laudetur Iesus Christus (Latin for 'Praised be Jesus Christ') is a traditional Catholic salutation, which members of religious communities commonly use, especially those of specific ethnicities.[1] Typical answers to this greeting are Semper laudetur (“Always be praised”); In sæcula sæculorum! Amen (“Forever and ever! Amen”);[2] or [Nunc et] in æternum! Amen (“[Now and] In eternity! Amen”). The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, however, respond with Et Maria Immaculata (“And Mary Immaculate”).[3] The phrase is also a motto of Vatican Radio.[4]

Pius Parsch notes the traditional Catholic use of this salutation with regard to priests:

"The [H]umanity of Christ is near in the priest. The Catholic people have kept this belief: 'Praised be Jesus Christ' they say whenever the priest comes."[5]

In Luxembourgish, the salutation is translated as “Gelobt sei Jesus Christus”, and taught as “the respectful greeting [...] in addressing a priest”.[6]

Other Christian denominations also use it, including Lutherans and other Protestants, along with some Eastern Christians.

  1. ^ Roman Catholic Parish in Poland Archived 2008-02-15 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Raccolta- Jesus, Franciscan SFO
  3. ^ Montmigny, Gaston J. Laudetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata in Dictionary of Oblate Values.
  4. ^ Vatican Radio
  5. ^ Quoted in "The Ministry of the Canon Regular". The Vocation... In depth. Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2008-03-05. - from Parsch, Pius (1952). Volksliturgie: ihr Sinn und Umfang. Klosterneuburg: Klosterneuburger Buch- und Kunstverlag. pp. 231–233. OCLC 181801243.
  6. ^ Dolibois, John (2000-11-16). Pattern of Circles: An Ambassador's Story. Kent State University Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-87338-702-6.