“Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Western American Diocese: Christ is Risen!”
http://www.wadiocese.com/files/Archpastoral-Communiques/2016/EPascha-2016_letterhead.pdf
We Americans also may call long-serving and elderly Senators “venerable”. “Venerable” would not, however, apply to the traitor Ted Kennedy were he still alive, nor does it apply to the demented Dim Nancy Pelosi!!!!
Actually I decided on this word last night at Mass, during the Eucharist, when the priest spoke of Christ’s venerable hands.
A+++