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Humility
The word humility signifies lowliness or submissiveness an it is derived from the Latin humilitas or, as St. Thomas says, from humus, i.e. the earth which is beneath us. As applied to persons and things it means that which is abject, ignoble, or of poor condition, as we ordinarily say, not worth much. Thus we say that a man is of humble birth or that a house is a humble dwelling. As restricted to persons, humility is understood also in the sense of afflictions or miseries, which may be inflicted by external agents, as when a man humiliates another by causing him pain or suffering. It is in this sense that others may bring about humiliations and subject us to them. Humility in a higher and ethical sense is that by which a man has a modest estimate of his own worth, and submits himself to others. According to this meaning no man can humiliate another, but only himself, and this he can do properly only when aided by Divine grace. We are treating here of humility in this sense, that is, of the virtue of humility.
The virtue of humility may be defined: "A quality by which a person considering his own defects has a lowly opinion of himself and willingly submits himself to God and to others for God's sake." St. Bernard defines it: "A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself." These definitions coincide with that given by St. Thomas: "The virtue of humility", he says, "Consists in keeping oneself within one's own bounds, not reaching out to things above one, but submitting to one's superior" (Summa Contra Gent., bk. IV, ch. lv, tr. Rickaby).
To guard against an erroneous idea of humility, it is necessary to explain the manner in which we ought to esteem our own gifts in reference to the gifts of others, if called upon to make a comparison. Humility does not require us to esteem the gifts and graces which God has granted us, in the supernatural order, less than similar gifts and graces which appear in others. No one should esteem less in himself than in others these gifts of God which are to be valued above all things according to the words of St. Paul : "That we may know the things that are given us from God." ( 1 Corinthians 2:12 ). Neither does humility require us in our own estimation to think less of the natural gifts we possess than of similar, or of inferior, gifts in our neighbours; otherwise, as St. Thomas teaches, it would behove everyone to consider himself a greater sinner or a greater fool than his neighbour; for the Apostle without any prejudice to humility was able to say: "We by nature are Jews, and not of the Gentiles sinners " ( Galatians 2:15 ). A man, however, may generally esteem some good in his neighbour which he does not himself possess, or acknowledge some defect or evil in himself which he does not perceive in his neighbour, so that, whenever anyone subjects himself out of humility to an equal or to an inferior he does so because he takes that equal or inferior to be his superior in some respect. Thus we may interpret the humble expressions of the saints as true and sincere. Besides, their great love of God caused them to see the malice of their own faults and sins in a clearer light than that which is ordinarily given to persons who are not saints.
The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, and all other moral virtues are annexed to theses either as integral, potential, or subjective parts. Humility is annexed to the virtue of temperance as a potential part, because temperance includes all those virtues that refrain or express the inordinate movements of our desires or appetites. Humility is a repressing or moderating virtue opposed to pride and vainglory or that spirit within us which urges us to great things above our strength and ability, and therefore it is included in temperance just as meekness which represses anger is a part of the same virtue. From what we have here stated it follows that humility is not the first or the greatest of the virtues. The theological virtues have the first place, then the intellectual virtues, as these immediately direct the reason of man to good. Justice is placed in the order of the virtues before humility, and so should obedience be, for it is part of justice. Humility is, however, said to be the foundation of the spiritual edifice, but in a sense inferior to that in which faith is called its foundation. Humility is the first virtue inasmuch as it removes the obstacles to faith -- per modum removens prohibens, as St. Thomas says. It removes pride and makes a man subject to and a fit recipient of grace according to the words of St. James: " God resisteth the proud, and giveth his grace to the humble" ( James 4:6 ). Faith is the first and the positive fundamental virtue of all the infused virtues, because it is by it we can take the first step in the supernatural life and in our access to God : "For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him" Heb., xi, 6). Humility, inasmuch as it seems to keep the mind and heart submissive to reason and to God, has its own function in connection with faith and all the other virtues, and it may therefore be said to be a universal virtue.
It is therefore a virtue which is necessary for salvation, and as such is enjoined by Our Divine Saviour, especially when He said to His disciples : "Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls " ( Matthew 11:29 ). He also teaches this virtue by the words, "Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven " ( Matthew 5:11-12 ). From the example of Christ and His Saints we may learn the practice of humility, which St. Thomas explains (Contra Gent., bk, III, 135): "The spontaneous embracing of humiliations is a practice of humility not in any and every case but when it is done for a needful purpose: for humility being a virtue, does nothing indiscreetly. It is then not humility but folly to embrace any and every humiliation: but when virtue calls for a thing to be done it belongs to humility not to shrink from doing it, for instance not to refuse some mean service where charity calls upon you to help your neighbours. . . .Sometimes too, even where our own duty does not require us to embrace humiliations, it is an act of virtue to take them up in order to encourage others by our example more easily to bear what is incumbent on them: for a general will sometimes do the office of a common soldier to encourage the rest. Sometimes again we may make a virtuous use of humiliations as a medicine. Thus if anyone's mind is prone to undue self-exaltation, he may with advantage make a moderate use of humiliations, either self-imposed, or imposed by others, so as to check the elation of his spirit by putting himself on a level with the lowest class of the community in the doing of mean offices."
The Angelic Doctor likewise explains the humility of Christ in the following words: "Humility cannot befit God, who has no superior, but is above all. . . .Though the virtue of humility cannot attach to Christ in His divine nature ; it may attach to Him in His human nature and His divinity renders His humility all the more praiseworthy, for the dignity of the person adds to the merit of humility; and there can be no greater dignity to a man than his being God. Hence the highest praise attaches to the humility of the Man God, who to wean men's hearts from worldly glory to the love of divine glory, chose to embrace a death of no ordinary sort, but a death of the deepest ignominy" (Summa Contra Gent., tr. Rickaby, bk. IV. ch. lv; cf. bk. III, ch. cxxxvi). St. Benedict in his rule lays down twelve degrees of humility. St. Anselm, as quoted by St. Thomas, gives seven. These degrees are approved and explained by St. Thomas in his "Summa Theologica" ( II-II:161:6 ). The vices opposed to humility are,
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Hédelin, François
Grammarian, poet, preacher, archeologist, philologist. Born at Paris, 4 August, 1604; died at ...Hélinand
A celebrated medieval poet, chronicler, and ecclesiastical writer; born of Flemish parents ...Hélyot, Pierre
(Usually known as HIPPOLYTE, his name in religion ) Born at Paris, in 1660; died there 5 ...Hô 1
Hô 1
Hôpital, Guillaume-François-Antoine de L'
Marquis de Sainte-Mesme and Comte d'Entremont, French mathematician; b. at Paris, 1661; d. at ...Hö 1
Hö 1
Höfler, Konstantin von
An historian; born at Memmingen, Bavaria, 26 March, 1811; died at Prague, 29 December, 1898. ...Hü 3
Hü 3
Hübner, Count Alexander
An Austrian statesman, born 26 Nov., 1811; died 30 July, 1892. He was educated at Vienna, and ...Hüffer, Hermann
An historian and jurist; born 24 March, 1830, at Münster in Westphalia ; died at Bonn, 15 ...Hülshoff, Annette Elisabeth von
(DROSTE-HÜLSHOFF) A poetess; born at Schloss Hülshoff near Münster in ...Ha 119
Ha 119
Haüy, René-Just
Mineralogist; b. at Saint-Just (Oise), 28 Feb., 1743; d. at Paris, 3 June, 1822. His father was a ...Haüy, Valentin
Founder of the first school for the blind, and known under the endearing name of "Father and ...Haarlem
DIOCESE OF HAARLEM (HARLEMENSIS). One of the suffragan sees of the Archdiocese of Utrecht ...Habacuc
The eighth of the Minor Prophets, who probably flourished towards the end of the seventh century ...Habakkuk
The eighth of the Minor Prophets, who probably flourished towards the end of the seventh century ...Haberl, Francis Xavier
An historian of sacred music, editor, born at Oberellenbach, Lower Bavaria, 12 April, 1840; died ...Habington, William
Poet and historian; born at Hindlip, Worcestershire, 1605; died 1654; son of Thomas Habington ...Habit
Habit is an effect of repeated acts and an aptitude to reproduce them, and may be defined as "a ...Habor River
[Hebrew habhor ; Septuagint 'A Bwr : 2 Kings 17:6 , 'A Biwr : 2 Kings 18:11 ; X aBwr : ...Haceldama
Haceldama is the name given by the people to the potter's field, purchased with the price of the ...Hadewych, Blessed
(HADEWIG, HEDWIG). Prioress of the Premonstratensian convent of Mehre (Meer), near ...Hadrian
Martyr, died about the year 306. The Christians of Constantinople venerated the grave of this ...Hadrian, Publius Ælius
Emperor of the Romans; born 24 January, A. D. 76 at Rome ; died 10 July, 138. He married his ...Hadrumetum
(ADRUMETUM, also ADRUMETUS). A titular see of Byzacena. Hadrumetum was a Phoenician colony ...Haeften, Benedict van
(Haeftenus). Benedictine writer, provost of the Monastery of Afflighem, Belgium ; born at ...Hagen, Gottfried
Gottfried Hagen, town clerk of Cologne, and author of the Cologne "Reimchronik" (rhymed ...Haggai
Name and personal life Aggeus, the tenth among the minor prophets of the Old Testament, is ...Haggith
This is the ordinary form of the name in the English Bible ; it corresponds better to the ...Hagiography
The name given to that branch of learning which has the saints and their worship for its object. ...Hague, The
(French LA HAYE; Dutch 's GRAVENHAGE, "the Count's Park"; Latin HAGA COMITIS) Capital and ...Hahn-Hahn, Ida
Countess, convert and authoress, born 22 June, 1805; died 12 January, 1880. She was descended ...Haid, Herenaus
Catechist, born in the Diocese of Ratisbon , 16 February, 1784; died 7 January, 1873. His ...Hail Holy Queen
The opening words (used as a title) of the most celebrated of the four Breviary anthems of the ...Hail Mary
The Hail Mary (sometimes called the "Angelical salutation", sometimes, from the first words in its ...Haimhausen, Karl von
(Corrupt form of Aymausen .) German missionary; b. at Munich, of a noble Bavarian family, ...Hair (in Christian Antiquity)
The subject of this article is so extensive that there can be no attempt to describe the types of ...Hairshirt
(Latin cilicium ; French cilice ). A garment of rough cloth made from goats' hair and ...Haiti
( Spanish Santo Domingo, Hispaniola .) An island of the Greater Antilles. I. STATISTICS ...Haito
(HATTO). Bishop of Basle; b. in 763, of a noble family of Swabia; d. 17 March, 836, in the ...Hakodate
Situated between 138º and 157º E. long., and between 37º and 52º N. lat., ...Hakon the Good
King of Norway, 935 (936) to 960 (961), youngest child of King Harold Fair Hair and Thora ...Halicarnassus
A titular see of Caria, suffragan of Stauropolis. It was a colony from Trœzen in ...Halifax
(HALIFAXIENSIS) This see takes its name from the city of Halifax which has been the seat of ...Hallahan, Margaret
Foundress of the Dominican Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena (third order); b. in London, ...Haller, Karl Ludwig von
A professor of constitutional law, b. 1 August, 1768, at Berne, d. 21 May, 1854, at Solothurn, ...Hallerstein, August
(Or Hallerstein). Jesuit missionary in China, born in Germany, died in China, probably about ...Halloween
[ The vigil of this feast is popularly called "Hallowe'en" or "Halloween".] Solemnity ...Halloy, Jean-Baptiste-Julien D'Omalius
Belgian geologist, b. at Liège, Belgium, 16 February, 1783; d. at Brussels, 15 January, ...Halma, Nicholas
French mathematician; born at Sedan, 31 December, 1755; died at Paris, 4 June, 1828. He was ...Ham, Hamites
I. CHAM ( A.V. Ham). Son of Noah and progenitor of one of the three great races of men whose ...Hamar, Ancient See of
(HAMARCOPIA; HAMARENSIS). Hamar in Norway, embraced Hedemarken and Christians Amt, and was ...Hamatha
(AMATHA). A titular see of Syria Secunda, suffragan of Apamea. Hamath was the capital of a ...Hambley, Ven. John
English martyr (suffered 1587), born and educated in Cornwall, and converted by reading one ...Hamburg
A city supposed to be identical with the Marionis of Ptolemy, was founded by a colony of fishermen ...Hamilton, John
Archbishop of St. Andrews; b. 1511; d. at Stirling, 1571; a natural son of James, first Earl of ...Hamilton, Ontario, Diocese of
(Hamiltonensis). Located in Ontario, Canada ; a suffragan of Toronto. It comprises the counties ...Hammer-Purgstall, Joseph, Baron von
A distinguished Austrian Orientalist ; b. at Graz, 9 June, 1774; d. at Vienna, 23 November, ...Hammurabi
( Ha-am-mu-ra-bi ) The sixth king of the first Babylonian dynasty; well known for over ...Hamsted, Adrian
Founder of the sect of Adrianists; born at Dordrecht, 1524; died at Bruges, 1581. We know ...Haneberg, Daniel Bonifacius von
A distinguished German prelate and Orientalist of the nineteenth century, b. At Tanne near ...Hanover
The former Kingdom of Hanover has been a province of the Prussian monarchy since 20 September, ...Hanse, Blessed Everald
Martyr ; b. in Northamptonshire; executed 31 July, 1581. He was educated at Cambridge, and was ...Hansiz, Markus
Historian, b. at Volkermarkt, Carinthia, Austria, 25 April, 1683; d. at Vienna, 5 September, ...Hanthaler, Chrysostomus
(JOHANNES ADAM.) A Cistercian, historical investigator and writer; b. at Marenbach, Austria, ...Hanxleden, Johann Ernest
Jesuit missionary in the East Indies: b. at Ostercappeln, near Osnabrück, in Hanover, ...Happiness
( French bonheur ; German Glück ; Latin felicitas ; Greek eutychia, eudaimonia ). ...Haraldson, Saint Olaf
Martyr and King of Norway (1015-30), b. 995; d. 29 July, 1030. He was a son of King Harald ...Harbor Grace
(Portus Gratiæ) Diocese in Newfoundland, erected in 1856. It comprises all the northern ...Hardee, William J.
Soldier, convert, b. at Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A. 1817, d. at Wytheville, Virginia, 6 Nov., ...Hardey, Mary Aloysia
Of the Society of the Sacred Heart, who established all the convents of her order, up to the ...Harding, St. Stephen
Confessor, the third Abbot of Cîteaux, was born at Sherborne in Dorsetshire, England, ...Harding, Thomas
Controversialist; b. at Combe Martin, Devon, 1516 d. at Louvain, Sept., 1572. The registers of ...Hardman, Mary Juliana
Known in religion as Sister Mary; b. 26 April, 1813; d. 24 March, 1884; was the daughter of John ...Hardouin, Jean
Jesuit, and historian; b. at Quimper, Brittany, 23 Dec., 1646, son of a bookseller of that town; ...Hardyng, John
An English chronicler; b. 1378; d. about 1460. He was of northern parentage and entered the ...Hare Indians
A Déné tribe which shares with the Loucheux the distinction of being the ...Harland, Henry
Novelist, b. of New England parentage, at St. Petersburg, 1 Mar., 1861; d. at San Remo, 20 Dec., ...Harlay, Family of
An important family of parliamentarians and bishops, who deserve a place in religious ...Harlez de Deulin, Charles-Joseph de
A Belgian Orientalist, domestic prelate, canon of the cathedral of Liège, member of the ...Harmony
(Greek, harmonia ; Latin, harmonia ) A concord of sounds, several tones of different ...Harney
(1) William Selby Harney Soldier, convert ; b. near Haysboro, Tennessee, U.S.A. 27 August, ...Harold Bluetooth
(B LAATAND ) Born 911; died 1 November, 985 or 986. He was the son of King Gorm the Old of ...Harold, Francis
Irish Franciscan and historical writer, d. at Rome, 18 March, 1685. He was for some time ...Harpasa
A titular see of Caria, suffragan of Stauropolis. Nothing is known of the history of this ...Harper, Thomas Morton
Priest, philosopher, theologian and preacher. Born in London 26 Sept., 1821, of Anglican ...Harrington, Ven. William
English martyr ; b. 1566; d. 18 February, 1594. His father had entertained Campion at the ...Harris, Joel Chandler
Folklorist, novelist, poet, journalist; born at Eatonton, Georgia, U.S.A. 1848; died at Atlanta, ...Harrisburg
(Harrisburgensis.) Established 1868, comprises the Counties of Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, ...Harrison, James
Priest and martyr ; b. in the Diocese of Lichfield, England, date unknown; d. at York, 22 ...Harrison, William
Third and last archpriest of England, b. in Derbyshire in 1553; d. 11 May, 1621. He was ...Harrowing of Hell
This is the Old English and Middle English term for the triumphant descent of Christ into hell ...Hart, William
Born at Wells, 1558; suffered at York, 15 March, 1583. Elected Trappes Scholar at Lincoln ...Hartford
Diocese of Hartford, established by Gregory XVI, 18 Sept., 1843. When erected it embraced the ...Hartley, Ven. William
Martyr ; b. at Wyn, in Derbyshire, England, of a yeoman family about 1557; d. 5 October, 1588. ...Hartmann von Aue
A Middle High German epic poet and minnesinger; died between 1210 and 1220. Little is known ...Hartmann, Georg
Mechanician and physicist ; b. at Eckoltsheim, Bavaria, 9 Feb. 1489; d. at Nuremberg, 9 ...Hasak, Vincenz
Historian, b. at Neustadt, near Friedland, Bohemia, 18 July, 1812; d. 1 September, 1889, as ...Haschka, Lorenz Leopold
A poet-author of the Austrian national anthem; b. at Vienna, 1 Sept. 1749, d. there 3 Aug., ...Haspinger, Johann Simon
A Tyrolese priest and patriot ; b. at Gries, Tyrol, 28 October, 1776; d. in the imperial palace ...Hassard, John Rose Greene
An editor, historian; b. in New York, U.S.A. 4 September, 1836; d. in that city, 18 April, 1888. ...Hasslacher, Peter
Preacher; b. at Coblenz, 14 August, 1810; d. at Paris, 5 July, 1876. He was one of that band of ...Hatred
Hatred in general is a vehement aversion entertained by one person for another, or for ...Hatto
Archbishop of Mainz ; b. of a noble Swabian family, c. 850; d. 15 May, 913. He was educated at ...Hatton, Edward Anthony
Dominican, apologist ; b. in 1701; d. at Stourton Lodge, near Leeds, Yorkshire, 23 October, ...Hauara
A titular see of Palestina Tertia, suffragan of Petra. Peutinger's map locates a place of ...Haudriettes
A religious congregation founded in Paris early in the fourteenth century by Jeanne, wife of ...Haughery, Margaret
Margaret Haughery, "the mother of the orphans ", as she was familiarly styled, b. in Cavan, ...Hauréau, Jean-Barthélemy
Historian and publicist; b. at Paris, 1812; d. there, 1896. He was educated at the Louis le Grand ...Hautecombe
(Altacomba, Altæcombæum) A Cistercian monastery near Aix-les-Bains in Savoy, ...Hautefeuille, Jean de
French physicist, b. at Orléans, 20 March, 1647; d. there, 18 October, 1724. He was the ...Hautefeuille, Jean de
French physicist, b. at Orléans, 20 March, 1647; d. there, 18 October, 1724. He was the ...Hauteserre
(ALTESERRA). Antoine Dadin d'Hauteserre Born 1602, died 1682; a distinguished French historian ...Hauzeur, Mathias
A Franciscan theologian, b. at Verviers, 1589; d. at Liège 12 November, 1676, for many ...Havana
Diocese of Havana (San Cristóbal de la Habana) — Avanensis The city of Havana is ...Havestadt, Bernhard
German Jesuit ; b. at Cologne, 27 February, 1714; died at Münster after 1778. He entered ...Hawarden, Edward
(HARDEN). Theologian and controversialist, b. in Lancashire, England, 9 April, 1662; d. in ...Hawes, Stephen
Poet; b. in Suffolk about 1474; d. about 1523. Very little is known of his life. He was educated ...Hawker, Robert Stephen
Poet and antiquary; b. at Plymouth 3 December, 1803, d. there 15 August, 1875, son of Jacob ...Hawkins, Sir Henry
Raised to the peerage as Lord Brampton, eminent English lawyer and Judge, b. at Hitchin, ...Hay, Edmund and John
(1) Edmund Hay Jesuit, and envoy to Mary Queen of Scots, b. 1540?; d. at Rome, 4 Nov., 1591. he ...Hay, George
Bishop and writer, b. at Edinburgh, 24 Aug., 1729; d. at Aquhorties, 18 Oct., 1811. His parents ...Haydn, Franz Joseph
Born of staunch Catholic parents at Rohrau, Austria, 1 April, 1732; died at Gumpendorf, Vienna, ...Haydn, Johann Michael
A younger brother of Franz Joseph Haydn ; born at Rohrau, Austria, 14 September, 1737; died at ...Haydock, George Leo
Priest and Biblical scholar; b. 11 April, 1774, at Cottam, near Wood Plumpton, Lancashire; d. 29 ...Haydock, Venerable George
English martyr ; born 1556; executed at Tyburn, 12 February, 1583-84. He was the youngest son of ...Haymo
( Or Haimo). A Benedictine bishop of the ninth century; d. 26 March, 853. The exact date ...Haymo of Faversham
English Franciscan and schoolman, b. at Faversham, Kent; d. at Anagni, Itlay, in 1243, according ...Haynald, Lajos
Cardinal, Archbishop of Kalocsa-Bács in Hungary ; b. at Szécsény, 3 ...Hazart, Cornelius
Controversialist, orator, and writer, b. 28 October, 1617, at Oudenarde in the Netherlands ; ...He 165
He 165
Healy, George Peter Alexander
An American portrait and historical painter, b. at Boston, 15 July, 1808; d. at Chicago, 14 June ...Hearse, Tenebrae
The Tenebræ Hearse is the triangular candlestick used in the Tenebræ service. The ...Heart of Jesus, Devotion to the
The treatment of this subject is divided into two parts: I. Doctrinal Explanations;II. Historical ...Heart of Mary, Congregations of
I. Sisters of the Holy Heart of Mary Founded in 1842 at Nancy, by Mgr Menjaud, Bishop of ...Heart of Mary, Devotion to the
As in the article on Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus , this subject will be considered ...Heath, Ven. Henry
English Franciscan and martyr, son of John Heath; christened at St. John's, Peterborough, 16 ...Heaven
This subject will be treated under seven headings: I. Name and Place of Heaven; II. Existence of ...Hebrew Bible
As compared with the Latin Vulgate , the Hebrew Bible includes the entire Old Testament with ...Hebrew Language and Literature
Hebrew was the language spoken by the ancient Israelites, and in which were composed nearly all ...Hebrews, Epistle to the
This will be considered under eight headings: (I) Argument; (II) Doctrinal Contents; (III) ...Hebrides, New
Vicariate Apostolic in Oceania; comprises the New Hebrides, with Banks and Torres, islands ...Hebron
( hbrwn, chebrón ) An ancient royal city of Chanaan, famous in biblical history, ...Hecker, Isaac Thomas
Missionary, author, founder of the Paulists ; b. in New York, 18 December, 1819; d. there, 22 ...Hedonism
( hedoné, pleasure). The name given to the group of ethical systems that hold, with ...Hedwig, Saint
Duchess of Silesia, b. about 1174, at the castle of Andechs ; d. at Trebnitz, 12 or 15 ...Heeney, Cornelius
Merchant and philanthropist; b. in King's County, Ireland, 1754; d. at Brooklyn, U.S.A. 3 May, ...Heereman von Zuydwyk, Freiherr von
(Clemens Aug. Ant.). Catholic statesman and writer on art, b. 26 Aug., 1832, at Surenburg near ...Heeswijk
A village in the diocese of Hertogenbosch (Bois-le-Duc), Holland, in which the dispersed ...Hefele, Karl Joseph von
Bishop of Rottenburg, b. at Unterkochen, Würtemberg, 15 March, 1809; d. at Rottenburg, 5 ...Hegelianism
(1) Life and Writings of Hegel Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was born at Stüttgart in 1770; ...Hegesippus, Saint
(Roman Martyrology, 7 April). A writer of the second century, known to us almost exclusively ...Hegesippus, The Pseudo-
A fourth-century translator of the "Jewish War" of Flavius Josephus. The name is based on an ...Hegius, Alexander
Humanist ; b. probably in 1433, at Heeck (Westphalia); d. 7 December, 1498, at Deventer ...Heidelberg, University of
Heidelberg, a city of 41,000 inhabitants, is situated in the Grand Duchy of Baden, on the left ...Heiligenkreuz
(SANCTA CRUX). An existing Cistercian monastery in the Wienerwald, eight miles north-west of ...Heilsbronn
(FONS SALUTIS). Formerly a Cistercian monastery in the Diocese of Eichstätt in Middle ...Heilsbronn, Monk of
This name indicates the unknown author of some small mystical treatises, written about the ...Heim, François Joseph
French historical painter, b. near Belfort, 1787, d. in Paris, 1865. This clever painter ...Heinrich der Glïchezäre
( Glïchezäre , i.e. the hypocrite, in the sense of one who adopts a strange name or ...Heinrich von Ahaus
(Hendrik van Ahuis) Founder of the Brethren of the Common Life in Germany, b. in 1371, the ...Heinrich von Laufenberg
A German poet of the fifteenth century, d. at Strasburg in 1460; he was a priest in Freiburg ...Heinrich von Meissen
Usually called "Frauenlob" (Woman's praise), a Middle High German lyric poet; b. at Meissen ...Heinrich von Melk
German satirist of the twelfth century; of knightly birth and probably a lay brother in the ...Heinrich von Veldeke
A medieval German poet of knightly rank; b. near Maastricht in the Netherlands about the ...Heinz, Joseph
Swiss painter ; b. at Basle, 11 June, 1564; d. near Prague, Bohemia, October, 1609. He appears ...Heis, Eduard
German astronomer, b. at Cologne, 18 February, 1806; d. at Münster, Westphalia, 30 June, ...Heisterbach
(Vallis S. Petri). A former Cistercian monastery in the Siebengebirge near the little town ...Helen of Sköfde, Saint
Martyr in the first half of the twelfth century. Her feast is celebrated 31 July. Her life ...Helena (Montana)
(Helenensis) Erected from the Vicariate of Montana, 7 March, 1884. It comprises the western ...Helena, Saint
The mother of Constantine the Great , born about the middle of the third century, possibly in ...Helenopolis
A titular see of Bithynia Prima, suffragan of Prusa. On the southern side of the Sinus Astacenus ...Heli
Heli the Judge and High Priest Heli (Heb. ELI, Gr. HELI) was both judge and high-priest, whose ...Heliae, Paul
(POVL HELGESEN) A Carmelite, opponent of the Reformation in Denmark, born at Warberg (in the ...Heliand, The
( German Heiland , Saviour) The oldest complete work of German literature . Matthias Flacius ...Heliogabalus
(E LAGABAL ) The name adopted by Varius Avitus Bassianus, Roman emperor (218-222), born of ...Hell
This subject is treated under eight headings: (I) Name and Place of Hell; (II) Existence of ...Hell, Maximilian
(Höll). Astronomer, b. at Schemnitz in Hungary, 15 May, 1720; d. at Vienna, 14 April, ...Hello, Ernest
French philosopher and essayist, b. at Lorient, Brittany, 4 Nov., 1828; d. at Kéroman, ...Helmold
A historian, born in the first half of the twelfth century; died about 1177. He was a native of, ...Helmont, Jan Baptista van
Born at Brussels, 1577; died near Vilvorde, 30 December, 1644. This scientist, distinguished in ...Helpers of the Holy Souls, Society of the
( Auxiliatrices des Ames du Purgatoire ) A religious order of women founded in Paris, ...Helpidius, Flavius Rusticius
The name of several Latin writers. It appears in the manuscript of Pomponius Mela and Julius ...Hemmerlin, Felix
(MALLEOLUS) properly HEMERLI A provost at Solothurn, in Switzerland, born at Zurich, in 1388 ...Henderson, Issac Austin
Born at Brooklyn, 1850; died in Rome, March, 1909. His family was of Scotch and Irish ...Hendrick, Thomas Augustine
First American and the twenty-second Bishop of Cebú, Philippine Islands, b. at Penn Yan, ...Hengler, Lawrence
Catholic priest and the inventor of the horizontal pendulum, b. at Reichenhofen, ...Hennepin, Louis
One of the most famous explorers in the wilds of North America during the seventeenth century, b. ...Henoch
(Greek Enoch ). The name of the son of Cain ( Genesis 4:17, 18 ), of a nephew of Abraham ...Henoch, Book of
The antediluvian patriarch Henoch according to Genesis "walked with God and was seen no more, ...Henoticon
The story of the Henoticon forms a chapter in that of the Monophysite heresy in the fifth and ...Henríquez, Crisóstomo
A Cistercian religious of the Spanish Congregation; b. at Madrid, 1594; d. 23 December, 1632, ...Henríquez, Enrique
Noted Jesuit theologian, b. at Oporto, 1536; d. at Tivoli, 28 January, 1608. At the age of ...Henri de Saint-Ignace
A Carmelite theologian, b. in 1630, at Ath in Hainaut, Belgium ; d. in 1719 or 1720, near ...Henrion, Mathieu-Richard-Auguste
Baron, French magistrate, historian, and journalist; b. at Metz, 19 June, 1805; d. at Aix, ...Henry Abbot
Layman, martyred at York, 4 July, 1597, pronounced Venerable in 1886. His acts are thus related ...Henry II
King of England, born 1133; died 6 July, 1189; was in his earlier life commonly known as Henry ...Henry II, Saint
German King and Holy Roman Emperor, son of Duke Henry II (the Quarrelsome) and of the Burgundian ...Henry III
German King and Roman Emperor, son of Conrad II; b. 1017; d. at Bodfeld, in the Harz Mountains, 5 ...Henry IV
King of France and Navarre, son of Jeanne d'Albret and Antoine de Bourbon, b. 14 December, 1553, ...Henry IV
German King and Roman Emperor, son of Henry III and Agnes of Poitou, b. at Goslar, 11 November, ...Henry of Friemar
(DE VRIMARIA) German theologian ; b. at Friemar, a small town near Gotha in Thuringia, about ...Henry of Ghent
(HENRICUS DE GANDAVO, known as the DOCTOR SOLEMNIS) A notable scholastic philosopher and ...Henry of Herford
(Or HERWORDEN; HERVORDIA) Friar and chronicler; date of birth unknown; died at Minden, 9 Oct., ...Henry of Huntingdon
Historian; b. probably near Ramsey, Huntingdonshire, between 1080 and 1085; d. 1155. Little is ...Henry of Kalkar
(Egher). Carthusian writer, b. at Kalkar in the Duchy of Cleves in 1328; d. at Cologne, 20 ...Henry of Langenstein
(Henry of Hesse the Elder.) Theologian and mathematician; b. about 1325 at the villa of ...Henry of Nördlingen
A Bavarian secular priest, of the fourteenth century, date of death unknown; the spiritual ...Henry of Rebdorf
Alleged author of an imperial and papal chronicle of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, is ...Henry of Segusio, Blessed
Usually called Hostiensis , an Italian canonist of the thirteenth century, born at Susa (in ...Henry Suso, Blessed
(Also called Amandus , a name adopted in his writings). German mystic, born at Constance on ...Henry the Navigator, Prince
Born 4 March, 1394; died 13 November, 1460; he was the fourth son of John I, King of Portugal, by ...Henry V
German King and Roman Emperor, son of Henry IV ; b. in 1081; d. at Utrecht, 23 May, 1125. He ...Henry VI
German King and Roman Emperor, son of Frederick Barbarossa and Beatrice of Burgundy ; b. in ...Henry VIII
King of England, born 28 June, 1491; died 28 January, 1547. He was the second son and third ...Henryson, Robert
Scottish poet, born probably 1420-1430; died about 1500. His birthplace, parentage, and place of ...Henschen, Godfrey
(Or Henskens .) Jesuit, hagiographer ; b. at Venray (Limburg), 21 June, 1601; d. at ...Hensel, Luise
Poetess and convert ; born at Linum, 30 March, 1798; died at Paderborn, 18 December, 1876. Her ...Henten, John
Biblical exegete, born 1499 at Nalinnes Belgium ; died 10 Oct., 1566, at Louvain. When quite ...Heortology
(From the Greek heorte , festival, and logos , knowledge, discourse) Heortology ...Hephæstus
A titular see of Augustamnica Prima, mentioned by Hierocles (Synecd., 727, 9), by George of ...Heptarchy
(A NGLO -S AXON H EPTARCHY ) By the term heptarchy is understood that complexus of ...Heraclas
Bishop of Alexandria from 231 or 232; to 247 or 248. Of his earlier life Origen tells us, ...Heraclea
A titular see of Thracia Prima. Heraclea is the name given about four centuries before the ...Heraldry, Ecclesiastical
Ecclesiastical heraldry naturally divides itself into various branches, principally: the arms of ...Herbart and Herbartianism
The widespread and increasing influence of Herbart and his disciples in the work of education ...Herbert of Bosham
A biographer of St. Thomas Becket , dates of birth and death unknown. He was probably born in ...Herbert of Derwentwater, Saint
(Hereberht). Date of birth unknown; d. 20 March, 687; an anchorite of the seventh century, ...Herbert of Lea, Lady Elizabeth
Authoress, and philanthropist, b. in 1822; d. in London 30 Oct., 1911. Lady Herbert was the ...Herbst, Johann Georg
Born at Rottweil, in Würtemberg, 13 January, 1787; died 31 July, 1836. His college course, ...Herculano de Carvalho e Araujo, Alejandro
Born at Lisbon, 28 March, 1810; died near Santarem, 13 Sept., 1877. Because of his liberal ...Herder
The name of a German firm of publishers and booksellers. Bartholomäus Herder Founder of the ...Herdtrich, Christian Wolfgang
(According to Franco, Christianus Henriques ; Chinese, Ngen ). An Austrian Jesuit ...Heredity
The offspring tends to resemble, sometimes with extraordinary closeness, the parents ; this is ...Hereford, Ancient Diocese of
(HEREFORDENSIS) Located in England. Though the name of Putta, the exiled Bishop of ...Hereswitha, Saint
(HAERESVID, HERESWYDE). Daughter of Hereric and Beorhtswith and sister of St. Hilda of Whitby. ...Heresy
I. Connotation and DefinitionII. Distinctions III. Degrees of heresy IV. Gravity of the sin of ...Hergenröther, Joseph
Church historian and canonist, first Cardinal-Prefect of the Vatican Archives, b. at ...Heribert
(ARIBERT) Archbishop of Milan (1018-1045) An ambitious and warlike prince of the ...Heribert, Saint
Archbishop of Cologne ; born at Worms, c. 970; died at Cologne, 16 March, 1021. His father was ...Heriger of Lobbes
A medieval theologian and historian; born about 925; died 31 October, 1007. After studying at ...Herincx, William
A theologian, born at Helmond, North Brabant, 1621; died 17 Aug., 1678. After receiving his ...Hermann Contractus
(Herimanus Augiensis, Hermann von Reichenau ). Chronicler, mathematician, and poet; b. 18 ...Hermann I
Landgrave of Thuringia (1190-1217), famous as a patron of medieval German poets. He was the ...Hermann Joseph, Saint
Premonstratensian monk and mystic; b. at Cologne about 1150; d. at Hoven, 7 April, 1241. ...Hermann of Altach
(Niederaltaich). A medieval historian; b. 1200 or 1201; d. 31 July, 1275. He received his ...Hermann of Fritzlar
With this name are connected two works on mysticism written in German. The first, "Das ...Hermann of Minden
Provincial of the German province of Dominicans ; b. at or near Minden on an unknown date ; d. ...Hermann of Salza
Fourth Grand Master of the Teutonic Order , descendant of the noble Thuringian house of Salza; ...Hermanos Penitentes, Los
(The Penitent Brothers), a society of flagellants existing among the Spanish of New Mexico and ...Hermas
(First or second century), author of the book called "The Shepherd" ( Poimen , Pastor), a work ...Hermas, Saint
Martyr The Roman Martyrology sets down for 18 August (XV Kal. Septembris) the feast of the ...Hermeneutics
Derived from a Greek word connected with the name of the god Hermes, the reputed messenger and ...Hermengild, Saint
Date of birth unknown; d. 13 April, 585. Leovigild, the Arian King of the Visigoths (569-86), ...Hermes, George
Philosopher and theologian, b. at Dreierwalde near Theine (Westphalia), 22 April, 1775; d. at ...Hermes, Saint
Martyr, Bishop of Salano (Spalato) in Dalmatia. Very little is known about him; in Romans ...Hermite, Charles
Born at Dieuze, Lorraine, 24 December, 1822; d. at Paris, 14 January, 1901; one of the greatest ...Hermits
( Eremites , "inhabitants of a desert ", from the Greek eremos ), also called anchorites, ...Hermits of St. Augustine
(Generally called Augustinians and not to be confounded with the Augustinian Canons ). A ...Hermon
[From the Hebrew meaning "sacred (mountain)"; Septuagint, Aermon ] A group of mountains ...Hermopolis Magna
A titular see of Thebais Prima, suffragan of Antinoe, in Egypt. The native name was Khmounoun; ...Hermopolis Parva
A titular see of Ægyptus Prima, suffragan of Alexandria. Its ancient name, Dimanhoru or ...Herod
(Greek Herodes , from Heros .) Herod was the name of many rulers mentioned in the N.T. ...Herodias
Herodias, daughter of Aristobulus -- son of Herod the Great and Mariamne -- was a descendant of ...Heroic Act of Charity
A decree of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences dated 18 December, 1885, and confirmed the ...Heroic Virtue
The notion of heroicity is derived from hero, originally a warrior, a demigod; hence it connotes a ...Herp, Henry
(Or HARP, Latin CITHARŒDUS, or ERP as in the old manuscripts ) A fifteenth century ...Herrad of Landsberg
(or LANDSPERG) A twelfth-century abbess, author of the "Hortus Deliciarum"; born about 1130, ...Herregouts
There were three artists of the name of Herregouts, father, son, and grandson, of whom the chief ...Herrera Barnuevo, Sebastiano de
A painter, architect, sculptor and etcher; born in Madrid, 1611 or 1619; died there, 1671; son ...Herrera y Tordesillas, Antonio de
A Spanish historian; born at Cuellar, in the province of Segovia, in 1559; died at Madrid, 27 ...Herrera, Fernando de
A Spanish lyric poet; born 1537; died 1597. The head of a school of lyric poets who gathered ...Herrera, Francisco
(1) Francisco Herrera (el Viejo, the Elder) A Spanish painter, etcher, medallist, and architect; ...Herrgott, Marquard
A Benedictine historian and diplomat; born at Freiburg in the Breisgau, 9 October, 1694; died ...Hersfeld
An ancient imperial abbey of the Benedictine Order, situated at the confluence of the Geisa and ...Hervás y Panduro, Lorenzo
Spanish Jesuit and famous philologist; b. at Horcajo, 1 May, 1735; d. at Rome, 24 August, 1809. ...Hervetus, Gentian
French theologian and controversialist; b. at Olivet, near Orléans, in 1499; d. at ...Hesebon
(A.V. HESHBON; Greek Esebon, Esbous ; Latin Esbus). A titular see of the province of ...Hesse
(H ESSEN ). The name of a German tribe, and also a district in Germany extending along the ...Hessels, Jean
A distinguished theologian of Louvain ; born 1522; died 1566. He had been teaching for eight ...Hesychasm
(Greek hesychos , quiet). The story of the system of mysticism defended by the monks of ...Hesychius of Alexandria
Grammarian and lexicographer; of uncertain date, but assigned by most authorities to the later ...Hesychius of Jerusalem
Presbyter and exegete, probably of the fifth century. Nothing certain is known as to the dates ...Hesychius of Sinai
A priest and monk of the Order of St. Basil in the Thorn-bush (Batos) monastery on Mt. ...Hethites
(A.V. H ITTITES ) One of the many peoples of North-Western Asia, styled Hittim in the ...Hettinger, Franz
A Catholic theologian ; born 13 January, 1819, at Aschaffenburg; died 26 January, 1890, at ...Heude, Pierre
Missionary to China and zoologist; b. at Fougères in the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine, ...Hewett, John
(Alias WELDON). English martyr ; son of William Hewett of York; date of birth unknown; ...Hewit, Augustine Francis
Priest and second Superior General of the Institute of St. Paul the Apostle ; b. at Fairfield, ...Hexaemeron
Hexaemeron signifies a term of six days, or, technically, the history of the six days' work of ...Hexapla
The name given to Origen's edition of the Old Testament in Hebrew and Greek, the most colossal ...Hexateuch
A name commonly used by the critics to designate the first six books of the Old Testament, i.e. ...Hexham and Newcastle
Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle (Hagulstadensis et Novocastrensis). Hexham, in ...Heynlin of Stein, Johann
(A LAPIDE) A theologian, born about 1425; died at Basle, 12 March, 1496. He was apparently of ...Heywood, Jasper and John
(1) Jasper Heywood A poet and translator; born 1535 in London ; died 1598 at Naples. As a boy ...Hezekiah
Ezechias (Hebrew = "The Lord strengtheneth"; Septuagint Ezekias ; in the cuneiform inscriptions ...Hi 47
Hi 47
Hibernians, Ancient Order of
This organization grew up gradually among the Catholics of Ireland owing to the dreadful ...Hickey, Antony
A theologian, born in the Barony of Islands, Co. Clare, Ireland, in 1586; died in Rome, 26 ...Hidalgo, Miguel
Born on the ranch of San Vicente in the district of Guanajuato, 8 May, 1753; executed at ...Hierapolis
Titular Archdiocese, metropolis of the Province of Euphrates, in the Patriarchate of Antioch. ...Hierapolis
A titular see of Phrygia Salutaris, suffragan of Synnada. It is usually called by its ...Hierarchy
(Greek Hierarchia ; from hieros , sacred; archein , rule, command). This word has been ...Hierarchy of the Early Church
The word hierarchy is used here to denote the three grades of bishop, priest, and deacon ( ...Hierocæsarea
A titular see of Lydia, suffragan of Sardis. This town is mentioned by Ptolemy (VI, ii, 16). ...Hieronymites
In the fourth century, certain Roman ladies, following St. Paula, embraced the religious life ...Hierotheus
All attempts to establish as historical a personality corresponding to the Hierotheus who ...Higden, Ranulf
(HYDON, HYGDEN, HIKEDEN.) Benedictine chronicler; died 1364. He was a west-country man, and ...High Altar
(ALTARE SUMMUM or MAJUS.) The high altar is so called from the fact that it is the chief altar ...High Priest, The
The high-priest in the Old Testament is called by various names: the priest ( Numbers 3:6 ); ...Higher Criticism
Overview Biblical criticism in its fullest comprehension is the examination of the literary ...Hilarion, Saint
Founder of anchoritic life in Palestine; born at Tabatha, south of Gaza, Palestine, about 291; ...Hilarius of Sexten
(In the world, CHRISTIAN GATTERER.) Moral theologian ; born 1839, in the valley of Sexten in ...Hilarius, Pope Saint
[ Also spelled HILARIUS] Elected 461; the date of his death is given as 28 Feb., 468. After ...Hilarus, Pope Saint
[ Also spelled HILARIUS] Elected 461; the date of his death is given as 28 Feb., 468. After ...Hilary of Arles, Saint
Archbishop, b. about 401; d. 5 May, 449. The exact place of his birth is not known. All that may ...Hilary of Poitiers, Saint
Bishop, born in that city at the beginning of the fourth century; died there 1 November, according ...Hilda, Saint
Abbess, born 614; died 680. Practically speaking, all our knowledge of St. Hilda is derived from ...Hildebert of Lavardin
Bishop of Le Mans, Archbishop of Tours, and celebrated medieval poet; b. about 1056, at the ...Hildegard, Saint
Born at Böckelheim on the Nahe, 1098; died on the Rupertsberg near Bingen, 1179; feast 17 ...Hildesheim
Diocese of Hildesheim (Hildesheimensis). An exempt see, comprising the Prussian province of ...Hilduin, Abbot of St-Denis
He died 22 November, 840. He was a scion of a prominent Frankish family, hut the time and place ...Hill, Ven. Richard
English Martyr, executed at Durham, 27 May, 1590. Very little is known of him and his ...Hillel
A famous Jewish rabbi who lived about 70 B.C.-A.D. 10. Our only source of information concerning ...Hilton, Walter
Augustinian mystic, d. 24 March, 1396. Little is known of his life, save that he was the head of a ...Himeria
A titular see in the province of Osrhoene, suffragan of Edessa. The "Notitia" of Anastasius, ...Himerius
(called also EUMERIUS and COMERIUS) An Archbishop of Tarragona in Spain, 385. He is the ...Hincmar
An archbishop of Reims ; born in 806; died at Epernay on 21 December, 882. Descended from a ...Hincmar
Bishop of Laon; died 879. In the beginning of 858 the younger Hincmar, a nephew on the mother's ...Hinderer, Roman
(Chinese TE). A German missionary in China, born at Reiningen, near Mülhausen, date ...Hinduism
Hinduism in its narrower sense, is the conglomeration of religious beliefs and practices ...Hingston, Sir William Hales
Canadian physician and surgeon, b. at Hinchinbrook near Huntingdon, Quebec, June 29, 1829; d. at ...Hippo Diarrhytus
(Or HIPPO ZARRHYTUS.) A titular see of Northern Africa, now called Bizerta, originally a ...Hippo Regius
A titular see of Numidia, now a part of the residential see of Constantine. Hippo was a Tyrian ...Hippolytus of Rome, Saint
Martyr, presbyter and antipope ; date of birth unknown; d. about 236. Until the publication ...Hippolytus, Saints
Besides the presbyter, St. Hippolytus of Rome, others of the name are mentioned in the old ...Hippos
Besides the presbyter, St. Hippolytus of Rome, others of the name are mentioned in the old ...Hirena
A titular see of southern Tunis. Nothing is known of the city, the name of which may have been ...Hirschau, Abbey of
A celebrated Benedictine monastery in Würtemberg, Diocese of Spires, about twenty-two ...Hirscher, Johann Baptist von
Born 20 January, 1788, at Alt-Ergarten, Ravensburg; died 4 September, 1865. He studied at ...Historical Criticism
Historical criticism is the art of distinguishing the true from the false concerning facts of ...History, Ecclesiastical
I. NATURE AND OFFICE Ecclesiastical history is the scientific investigation and the methodical ...Hittites
(A.V. H ITTITES ) One of the many peoples of North-Western Asia, styled Hittim in the ...Hittorp, Melchior
A theologian and liturgical writer, born about 1525, at Cologne ; died there in 1584. On the ...Hl 1
Hl 1
Hladnik, Franz von Paula
Botanist and schoolmaster, b. 29 March, 1773, at Idria, Carniola, Austria ; d. 25 November, ...Ho 121
Ho 121
Hobart
(HOBARTENSIS) Hobart comprises Tasmania, Bruni Island, and the Cape Barren, Flinders, King, ...Hodgson, Sydney
A lawman and martyr ; date and place of birth unknown; d. at Tyburn, 10 Dec., 1591. He was a ...Hofer, Andreas
A patriot and soldier, born at St. Leonhard in Passeyrthale, Tyrol, 22 Nov., 1767; executed at ...Hogan, John Baptist
Better known, on account of his long sojourn in France, as Abbé Hogan, born near Ennis in ...Hohenbaum van der Meer, Moritz
A Benedictine historian; born at Spörl near Belgrade, 25 June, 1718; died at the monastery ...Hohenburg
(ODILIENBERG; ALTITONA) A suppressed nunnery, situated on the Odilienberg, the most famous of ...Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst, Alexander Leopold
A titular Bishop of Sardica, famous for his many supposedly miraculous cures, born 17 August, ...Holbein, Hans
(The Elder Holbein) A German painter ; b. at Augsburg about 1460; d. at Isenheim, Alsace, in ...Holden, Henry
An English priest ; born 1596; died March, 1662. Henry Holden was the second son of Richard ...Holiness
(A.S. hal , perfect, or whole). Sanctitas in the Vulgate of the New Testament is the ...Holland, Ven. Thomas
An English martyr, b. 1600 at Sutton, Lancashire; martyred at Tyburn, 12 December, 1642. He ...Hollanders in the United States
The Hollanders played by no means an insignificant part in the early history of the United ...Holmes, John
Catholic educator and priest ; born at Windsor, Vermont, in 1799; died at Lorette, near ...Holocaust
As suggested by its Greek origin ( holos "whole", and kaustos "burnt") the word designates an ...Holstenius, Lucas
(HOLSTE). German philologist, b. at Hamburg, 1596; d. at Rome, 2 February, 1661. He studied ...Holtei, Karl von
German novelist, poet, and dramatist; b. at Breslau, 24 January, 1798; d. in that city, 12 ...Holy Agony, Archconfraternity of
An association for giving special honour to the mental sufferings of Christ during His Agony ...Holy Alliance
The Emperor Francis I of Austria, King Frederick William III of Prussia, and the Tsar Alexander I ...Holy Child Jesus, Society of the
The Society was founded in England in 1840 by Mrs. Cornelia Connelly, née Peacock, ...Holy Childhood, Association of the
A children's association for the benefit of foreign missions. Twenty years after the foundation of ...Holy Coat
(OF TRIER AND ARGENTEUIL). The possession of the seamless garment of Christ (Gr. chiton ...Holy Communion
By Communion is meant the actual reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Ascetic writers ...Holy Cross Abbey
The picturesque ruins of this monastery are situated on the right bank of the River Suir, about ...Holy Cross, Congregation of
A body of priests and lay brothers constituted in the religious state by the simple vows of ...Holy Cross, Sisters Marianites of
The congregation of the Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross was founded in 1841, in the parish of ...Holy Cross, Sisters of the
(Mother House, St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, Notre Dame, Indiana) As an offset to ...Holy Faith, Sisters of the
Founded at Dublin, in 1857, by Margaret Aylward, under the direction of Rev. John Gowan, C.M., ...Holy Family, Archconfraternity of the
This archconfraternity owes its origin to Henri Belletable, an officer in the Engineers' Corps, ...Holy Family, Congregations of the
I. ASSOCIATION OF THE HOLY FAMILY Founded in 1820 by the Abbé Pierre Bienvenue Noailles (d. ...Holy Ghost
I. SYNOPSIS OF THE DOGMA The doctrine of the Catholic Church concerning the Holy Ghost forms ...Holy Ghost, Orders of the
The Hospital of the Holy Ghost at Rome was the cradle of an order, which, beginning in the ...Holy Ghost, Religious Congregations of the
I. THE CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY GHOST AND OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY This Congregation was ...Holy Grail, The
The name of a legendary sacred vessel , variously identified with the chalice of the Eucharist ...Holy House of Loreto
(The Holy House of Loreto). Since the fifteenth century, and possibly even earlier, the "Holy ...Holy Humility of Mary, Sisters of the
Founded at Dommartin-sous-Amance, France, in 1855, by John Joseph Begel (b. 5 April, 1817; d. 23 ...Holy Infancy, Brothers of the
Founded in 1853 by the Right Rev. John Timon, the first Bishop of Buffalo. The special aim of ...Holy Innocents
The children mentioned in St. Matthew 2:16-18 : Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise ...Holy Name of Jesus
We give honour to the Name of Jesus, not because we believe that there is any intrinsic power ...Holy Name, Feast of the
This feast is celebrated on the second Sunday after Epiphany (double of the second class). ...Holy Name, Litany of the
An old and popular form of prayer in honour of the Name of Jesus. The author is not known. ...Holy Name, Society of the
(Confraternity of the Most Holy Name of God and Jesus). An indulgenced confraternity in the ...Holy Oils
(OLEA SACRA). Liturgical Benediction Oil is a product of great utility the symbolic ...Holy Oils, Vessels for
In Christian antiquity there existed an important category of vessels used as receptacles for ...Holy Orders
Order is the appropriate disposition of things equal and unequal, by giving each its proper place ...Holy Saturday
In the primitive Church Holy Saturday was known as Great, or Grand, Saturday, Holy Saturday, the ...Holy See
(From the Latin Sancta Sedes , Holy Chair). A term derived from the enthronement ...Holy Sepulchre
Holy Sepulchre refers to the tomb in which the Body of Jesus Christ was laid after His death ...Holy Sepulchre, Canonesses Regular of the
Concerning the foundation there is only a tradition connecting it with St. James the Apostle and ...Holy Sepulchre, Fathers of the
(Guardians) The Fathers of the Holy Sepulchre are the six or seven Franciscan Fathers, who ...Holy Sepulchre, Knights of the
Neither the name of a founder nor a date of foundation can be assigned to the so-called Order of ...Holy Spirit
I. SYNOPSIS OF THE DOGMA The doctrine of the Catholic Church concerning the Holy Ghost forms ...Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta)
Consisting of twenty-eight white marble steps, at Rome, near the Lateran; according to tradition ...Holy Synod
In its full form M OST H OLY D IRECTING S YNOD , the name of the council by which the ...Holy Thursday
The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist ...Holy Water
The use of holy water in the earliest days of the Christian Era is attested by documents of ...Holy Water Fonts
Vessels intended for the use of holy water are of very ancient origin, and archaeological ...Holy Week
Holy Week is the week which precedes the great festival of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, and ...Holy Year of Jubilee
The ultimate derivation of the word jubilee is disputed, but it is most probable that the ...Holyrood Abbey
Located in Edinburgh, Scotland ; founded in 1128 by King David I for the Canons Regular of ...Holywell
A town in North Wales, situated on the declivity of a hill overlooking a picturesque valley, ...Holywood, Christopher
( Latinized , A Sacrobosco.) Jesuit ; b. At Artane, Dublin, in 1559; d. 4 September, 1626. ...Holywood, John
(John Holywood), a monk of English origin, lived in the first half of the thirteenth century as ...Holzhauser, Bartholomew
Parish priest, ecclesiastical writer, and founder of a religious community; born 24 Aug., ...Homes
This term, when used in an eleemosynary sense, covers all institutions that afford the general ...Homicide
( Latin homo , man; and caedere , to slay) Homicide signifies, in general, the killing of a ...Homiletics
Homiletics is the science that treats of the composition and delivery of a sermon or other ...Homiliarium
A collection of homilies, or familiar explanations of the Gospels (see HOMILY). From a very ...Homily
The word homily is derived from the Greek word homilia (from homilein ), which means to ...Homoousion
(Gr. homoousion - from homos , same, and ousia , essence ; Latin consubstantialem , of ...Honduras
VICARIATE APOSTOLIC OF BRITISH HONDURAS. The territory of the vicariate is co-extensive with ...Hong-Kong
The island of Hong-Kong was ceded by the Chinese Government to Great Britain in January, 1841, ...Honoratus a Sancta Maria
A Discalced Carmelite ; born at Limoges, 4 July, 1651 ; died at Lille, 1729. Blaise Vauxelles ...Honoratus, Saint
Archbishop of Arles; b. about 350; d. 6 (or, according to certain authors, 14 or 15) January, ...Honorius I, Pope
Pope (625-12 October, 638), a Campanian, consecrated 27 October (Duchesne) or 3 November ...Honorius II, Pope
(Lamberto Scannabecchi) Born of humble parents at Fagnano near Imola at an unknown date ; ...Honorius III, Pope
(Cencio Savelli) Born at Rome, date of birth unknown; died at Rome, 18 March, 1227. For a ...Honorius IV, Pope
(Giacomo Savelli) Born at Rome about 1210; died at Rome, 3 April, 1287. He belonged to the ...Honorius of Autun
(HONORIUS AUGUSTODUNENSIS) A theologian, philosopher, and encyclopedic writer who lived in ...Honorius, Flavius
Roman Emperor, d. 25 August, 423. When his father, the Emperor Theodosius, divided up the ...Honorius, Saint
Archbishop of Canterbury, fifth in succession from St. Augustine, elected 627; consecrated at ...Honour
Honour may be defined as the deferential recognition by word or sign of another's worth or ...Hontheim, Johannes Nicolaus von
(FEBRONIUS) An auxiliary Bishop of Trier ; born at Trier, 27 January, 1701; died at ...Hood
A flexible, conical, brimless head-dress, covering the entire head, except the face. It is either ...Hoogstraten, Jacob van
(also HOCHSTRATEN) A theologian and controversialist, born about 1460, in Hoogstraeten, ...Hooke, Luke Joseph
Born at Dublin in 1716; died at St. Cloud, Paris, 16 April, 1796, son of Nathaniel Hooke the ...Hope
Hope, in its widest acceptation, is described as the desire of something together with the ...Hope-Scott, James Robert
(Originally H OPE ) Parliamentary barrister, Q.C.; b. 15 July, 1812, at Great Marlow, ...Hopi Indians
(From Hopita, "peaceful ones" their own name; also frequently known as Moki, or Moqui, an alien ...Hopkins, Gerard Manley
Jesuit and poet, born at Stratford, near London, 28 July, 1844; died at Dublin, 8 June, 1889. ...Hormisdas, Pope Saint
Date of birth unknown, elected to the Holy See, 514; d. at Rome, 6 August, 523. This able and ...Horner, Nicholas
Layman and martyr, born at Grantley, Yorkshire, England, date of birth unknown; died at ...Horns, Altar
On the Jewish altar there were four projections, one at each corner, which were called the horns ...Hornyold, John Joseph
A titular Bishop of Phiomelia, Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District, England ; born 19 ...Hortulus Animæ
(L ITTLE G ARDEN OF THE S OUL ). A prayer book which both in its Latin and German ...Hosanna
"And the multitudes that went before and that followed, cried, saying: Hosanna to the son of ...Hosea
NAME AND COUNTRY Osee (Hôsheá‘– Salvation ), son of Beeri, was one of ...Hosius of Cordova
The foremost Western champion of orthodoxy in the early anti-Arian struggle; born about 256; ...Hosius, Stanislaus
(HOE, HOSZ) Cardinal and Prince- Bishop of Ermland ; born of German parents at Cracow, 5 ...Hospice
( Latin hospitium , a guest house). During the early centuries of Christianity the hospice ...Hospital Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus
These sisters are established in religion under the Rule of St. Augustine, the institute being ...Hospitality
The Council of Trent in its twenty-fifth session, cap. viii, De Ref., enjoins "all who hold any ...Hospitallers
During the Middle Ages, among the hospitals established throughout the West ( Maisons-Dieu ...Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem
(Also known as K NIGHTS OF M ALTA ). The most important of all the military orders, both ...Hospitals
(Latin hospes , a guest; hence hospitalis , hospitable; hospitium , a guest-house or ...Hospitius, Saint
(Sospis) Recluse, b. according to tradition in Egypt, towards the beginning of the sixth ...Hossche, Sidron de
( Latin HOSSCHIUS) Sidron de Hossche, poet and priest ; born at Mercken, West Flanders, in ...Host
Archaeological and Historical Aspects The bread destined to receive Eucharistic Consecration is ...Host, Johann
One of the seven Dominicans, who distinguished themselves in the struggle against Luther in ...Hottentots
The Hottentot is one of three tribes of South Africa which may be divided — Bantus, ...Houbigant, Charles François
Born in Paris, 1686; died there 31 October, 1783. He entered the Congregation of the Oratory in ...Houdon, Jean-Antoine
Born at Versailles, 1741; died 16 July, 1828; the most distinguished sculptor of France ...Houdry, Vincent
Preacher and writer on ascetics; b. 23 January, 1631, at Tours ; d. 21 March, 1729, at Paris. ...Houghton, John, Blessed
Protomartyr of the persecution under Henry VIII, b. in Essex, 1487; d. at Tyburn, 4 May, 1535. ...Houghton, William
(Variously called DE HOTUM, DE HOTHUM, DE HOZUM, BOTHUM, DE HONDEN, HEDDON, HEDDONEM, according as ...Hours, Canonical
I. IDEA By canonical hour is understood all the fixed portion of the Divine Office which the ...Hours, Liturgy of the
("Liturgy of the Hours" I. THE EXPRESSION "DIVINE OFFICE" This expression signifies ...Hove, Peter van
Friar Minor, lector in theology and exegete ; b. at Rethy, in Campine (Belgium); d. at Antwerp, ...Howard, Mary, of the Holy Cross
Poor Clare, born 28 December, 1653; died at Rouen, 21 Mary's 1735, daughter of Sir Robert Howard, ...Howard, Philip Thomas
Dominican and cardinal, commonly called the "Cardinal of Norfolk"; born at Arundel House, ...Howard, Philip, Venerable
Martyr, Earl of Arundel; born at Arundel House, London, 28 June 1557, died in the Tower of London, ...Howard, Venerable William
Viscount Stafford, martyr ; born 30 November, 1614; beheaded Tower-Hill, 29 December, 1680. He ...Hr 1
Hr 1
Hroswitha
A celebrated nun -poetess of the tenth century, whose name has been given in various forms, ...Hu 61
Hu 61
Huánuco
(Huanucensis) Suffragan of Lima in Peru. The department of Huánuco contains an ...Huajuápam de León
(Huajuapatamensis) Diocese in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico, erected by Bull of Leo XIII , ...Huaraz
Diocese of Huaraz (Huaraziensis) Suffragan of Lima. It comprises the entire department of ...Huber, Alphons
An historian; born 14 October, 1834, at Fügen, Zillerthal (Tyrol); died 23 November, 1898, at ...Hubert Walter
Archbishop of Canterbury (1193-1205); died 13 July, 1205; son of Hervey (Herveus) Walter and ...Hubert, Jean-François
The ninth Bishop of Quebec, born at Quebec, 23 February, 1739; died 17 October, 1799; son of ...Hubert, Saint
Confessor, thirty-first Bishop of Maastricht, first Bishop of Liège, and Apostle of ...Hubert, Saint, Military Orders of
I. The highest order of Bavaria, founded in 1444 or 1445 by Gerhard V, Duke of Jülich, in ...Huc, Evariste Régis
A French Lazarist missionary and traveller; born at Caylus (Tarn-et-Garonne), 1 June, 1813; died ...Hucbald of St-Amand
(HUGBALDUS, UBALDUS, UCHUBALDUS) A Benedictine monk ; born in 840; died in 930 or 932. The ...Huddleston, John
Monk of the Order of St. Benedict; b. at Farington Hall, Lancashire, 15 April, 1608; exact date ...Hudson, Blessed James
(Also known as James Hudson). Martyr, born in or near York; having nearly all his life in that ...Hueber, Fortunatus
A Franciscan historian and theologian, born at Neustadt on the Danube; died 12 Feb., 1706, at ...Huelgas de Burgos
The royal monastery of Las Huelgas de Burgos was founded by Alfonso VIII at the instance of ...Huesca
(OSCENSIS) Huesca embraces parts of the province of Huesca in north-eastern Spain, seven ...Huet, Pierre-Daniel
A distinguished savant and celebrated French bishop ; born 8 February, 1630, at Caen (Normandy), ...Hug, Johann Leonhard
A German Catholic exegete, b. at Constance, 1 June, 1765; d. at Freiburg im Br., 11 March, ...Hugh Capet
King of France, founder of the Capetian dynasty, b. about the middle of the tenth century; d. ...Hugh Faringdon, Blessed
( Vere COOK). English martyr ; b. probably at Faringdon, Berkshire, date unknown; d. at ...Hugh of Digne
Friar Minor andascetical writer; b. at Digne, south-east France, date uncertain; d. at ...Hugh of Flavigny
Benedictine monk and historian; b. about 1064, probably at Verdun (Lorraine); d. before the ...Hugh of Fleury
(Called also HUGO A SANTA MARIA, from the name of the church of his native village). ...Hugh of Lincoln, Saint
Born about the year 1135 at the castle of Avalon, near Pontcharra, in Burgundy ; died at London, ...Hugh of Remiremont
Surnamed CANDIDUS or BLANCUS. Cardinal, born of a noble family, probably in Lorraine, died soon ...Hugh of St-Cher
(Latin D E S ANCTO C ARO ; D E S ANCTO T HEODORICO ). A Dominican cardinal of the ...Hugh of St. Victor
Medieval philosopher, theologian, and mystical writer; b. 1096, at the manor of Hartingham in ...Hugh of Strasburg
Theologian, flourished during the latter half of the thirteenth century. The dates of his birth ...Hugh the Great, Saint
Abbot of Cluny, born at Semur (Brionnais in the Diocese of Autun, 1024; died at Cluny, 28 ...Hugh, Saint
(Called LITTLE SAINT HUGH OF LINCOLN.) St. Hugh was the son of a poor woman of Lincoln ...Hughes, John
Fourth bishop and first Archbishop of New York, born at Annaloghan, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, 24 ...Hugo, Charles-Hyacinthe
Born 20 Sept., 1667, at St. Mihiel (Department of Meuse, France ); died 2 August, 1739. He ...Huguccio
(HUGH OF PISA) Italian canonist, b. at Pisa, date unknown; d. in 1210. He studied at ...Huguenots
A name by which the French Protestants are often designated. Its etymology is uncertain. ...Hulst, Maurice Le Sage d'Hauteroche d'
A prelate, writer, orator; born at Paris, 10 Oct., 1841; died there, 6 Nov., 1896. After a ...Human Acts
Acts are termed human when they are proper to man as man; when, on the contrary, they are ...Humanism
Humanism is the name given to the intellectual, literary, and scientific movement of the ...Humbert of Romans
(DE ROMANIS). Fifth master general of the Dominican Order, b. at Romans in the Diocese of ...Humeral Veil
This is the name given to a cloth of rectangular shape about 8 ft. long and 1 1/2 ft. wide. The ...Humiliati
I. A penitential order dating back, according to some authorities, to the beginning of the ...Humility
The word humility signifies lowliness or submissiveness an it is derived from the Latin ...Humphrey Middlemore, Blessed
English Carthusian martyr, date of birth uncertain; d. at Tyburn, London, 19 June, 1535. His ...Humphreys, Laurence
Layman and martyr, born in Hampshire, England, 1571; died at Winchester, 1591. Of Protestant ...Hungarian Catholics in America
The Kingdom of Hungary (Magyarország) comprises within its borders several races or ...Hungarian Literature
The language which has prevailed in Hungary for nearly a thousand years and is spoken at the ...Hungary
GEOGRAPHY AND MATERIAL CONDITIONS The Kingdom of Hungary, or "Realm of the Crown of St. Stephen ...Hunolt, Franz
The most popular German preacher of the early part of the eighteenth century, b. 31 March, 1691, ...Hunt, Ven. Thurston
An English martyr (March, 1601), who belonged to the family seated at Carlton Hall, near ...Hunter, Sylvester Joseph
English Jesuit priest and educator; b. at Bath, 13 Sept., 1829; d. at Stonyhurst, 20 June, 1896. ...Hunting, Canons on
From early times, hunting, in one form or another has been forbidden to clerics. Thus, in the ...Huntington, Jedediah Vincent
Clergyman, novelist; born 20 January, 1815, in New York City; died 10 March, 1862, at Pau, France. ...Hunyady, János
(JOHN) Governor of Hungary, born about 1400; died 11 August, 1456; the heroic defender of the ...Huron Indians
The main divisions of the subject are: I. THE HURONS BEFORE THEIR DISPERSION (1) Their Place in ...Hurst, Richard
(Or HERST.) Layman and martyr, b. probably at Broughton, near Preston, Lancashire, England, ...Hurtado, Caspar
A Spanish Jesuit and theologian, b. at Mondejar, New Castle, in 1575; d. at Alcalá, 5 ...Hurter
(1) Friedrich Emmanuel Von Hurter Convert and historian, b. at Schaffhausen, 19 March, 1787; d. at ...Hus, Jan
(Also spelled John ). Born at Husinetz in southern Bohemia, 1369; died at Constance 6 ...Husenbeth, Frederick Charles
Born at Bristol, 30 May, 1796; died at Cossey, Norfolk, 31 October, 1872. The son of a Bristol ...Hussey, Thomas
Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, b. at Ballybogan, Co. Meath, in 1746; d. at Tramore, Co. ...Hussites
The followers of Jan Hus did not of themselves assume the name of Hussites. Like Hus, they ...Hutton, Peter
Priest, b. at Holbeck, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 29 June, 1811; d. at Ratcliffe, ...Huysmans, Joris Karl
A French novelist; born in Paris, 5 February, 1848; died 12 May, 1907. He studied at the Lycee ...Hy 16
Hy 16
Hyacinth and Protus, Saints
Martyrs during the persecution of Valerian (257-9). The day of their annual commemoration is ...Hyacinth, Saint
Dominican, called the Apostle of the North, son of Eustachius Konski of the noble family of ...Hyacintha Mariscotti, Saint
A religious of the Third Order of St. Francis and foundress of the Sacconi; born 1585 of a noble ...Hydatius of Lemica
( Also IDATIUS; LEMICA is more correctly LIMICA.) A chronicler and bishop, born at the end ...Hyderabad-Deccan, Diocese of
Hyderabad, also called Bhagnagar, and Fakhunda Bunyad, capital of the Nizam's dominions, was ...Hyginus, Pope Saint
Reigned about 138-142; succeeded Pope Telesphorus, who, according to Eusebius (Hist. eccl., IV, ...Hylozoism
(Greek hyle , matter + zoe , life ) The doctrine according to which all matter ...Hymn
A derivative of the Latin hymnus , which comes from the Greek hymnos , derived from hydein ...Hymnody and Hymnology
Hymnody, taken from the Greek ( hymnodia ), means exactly " hymn song", but as the hymn-singer ...Hypæpa
Titular see of Asia Minor, suffragan of Ephesus; it was a small town on the southern slope of ...Hypnotism
(Greek hypnos , sleep) By Hypnotism , or Hypnosis , we understand here the nervous ...Hypocrisy
(Greek hypo , under, and krinesthai , to contend — hence adequately "to answer" on the ...Hypostatic Union
A theological term used with reference to the Incarnation to express the revealed truth ...Hypsistarians
Hypsistarians or worshippers of the Hypsistos , i.e. of the "Most High" God ; a distinct ...Hyrtl, Joseph
Austrian anatomist, b. at Eisenstadt in Hungary, December 7, 1810; d. 17 July, 1894, on his ...Latest
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Reading 1, First Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49
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