Hi reader, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
Maronites
FREE Catholic Classes
This article will give first the present state of the Maronite nation and Church ; after which their history will be studied, with a special examination of the much discussed problem of the origin of the Church and the nation and their unvarying orthodoxy.
I. PRESENT STATE OF THE MARONITES A. Ethnographical and Political
The Maronites (Syriac Marunôye; Arabic Mawarinah ) number about 300,000 souls, distributed in Syria, Palestine, Cyprus, and Egypt. Of this number about 230,000 inhabit the Lebanon, forming nearly five-eighths of the population of that vilayet and the main constituent of the population in four out of seven kaïmakats, viz., those of Batrun, Kasrawan, Meten, and Gizzin (the Orthodox Greeks predominating in Koura, the Catholic Greeks in Zahlé, and the Druses in Shûf). They are of Syrian race, but for many centuries have spoken only Arabic, though in a dialect which must have retained many Syriac peculiarities. In the mountain districts manners are very simple, and the Maronites are occupied with tillage and cattle-grazing, or the silk industry; in the towns they are engaged in commerce. Bloody vendettas, due to family and clan rivalries, are still kept up in the mountain districts. The population increases very rapidly, and numbers of Maronites emigrate to the different provinces of the Ottoman Empire, to Europe, particularly France, to the French colonies, but most of all to the United States. The emigrants return with their fortunes made, and too often bring with them a taste for luxury and pleasure, sometimes also a decided indifference to religion which in some instances, degenerates into hostility.
For many centuries the Maronite mountaineers have been able to keep themselves half independent of the Ottoman Empire. At the opening of the nineteenth century their organization was entirely feudal. The aristocratic families -- who, especially when they travelled in Europe, affected princely rank -- elected the emir. The power of the Maronite emir preponderated in the Lebanon, especially when the Syrian family of Benî Shibâb forsook Islam for Christianity. The famous emir Beshîr, ostensibly a Mussulman, was really a Maronite; but after his fall the condition of the Maronites changed for the worse. A merciless struggle against the Druses, commencing in 1845, devastated the whole Lebanon. Two emirs were then created, a Maronite and a Druse, both bearing the title of Kaïmakam, and they were held responsible to the Pasha of Saïda. In 1860 the Druses, impelled by fanaticism, massacred a large number of Maronites at Damascus and in the Lebanon. As the Turkish Government looked on supinely at this process of extermination, France intervened: an expedition led by General de Beaufort d'Hautpoult restored order. In 1861 the present system, with a single governor for all the Lebanon, was inaugurated. This governor is appointed by the Turkish Government for five years. There are no more feudal rights ; all are equal before the law, without distinction of race; each nation has its sheik , or mayor, who takes cognizance of communal affairs, and is a judge in the provincial council. Every Maronite between the ages of fifteen and sixty pays taxes, with the exception of the clergy, though contributions are levied on monastic property. In contrast to the rule among the other rites, the Maronite patriarch is not obliged to solicit his firman of investiture from the sultan; but, on the other hand, he is not the temporal head of his nation, and has no agent at the Sublime Porte, the Maronites being, together with the other Uniat communities, represented by the Vakeel of the Latins. Outside of the Lebanon they are entirely subject to the Turks ; in these regions the bishops -- e.g., the Archbishop of Beirut -- must obtain their bérat , in default of which they would have no standing with the civil government , and could not sit in the provincial council.
Like the other Catholic communities of the Turkish Empire, the Maronites are under the protection of France, but in their case the protectorate is combined with more cordial relations dating from the connection between this people and the French as early as the twelfth century. This cordiality has been strengthened by numerous French interventions, from the Capitulations of Francis I to the campaign of 1861, and by the wide diffusion of the French language and French culture, thanks to the numerous establishments in the Lebanon under the direction of French missionaries -- Jesuits, Lazarists, and religious women of different orders. It is impossible to foresee what changes will be wrought in the situation of the Maronites, national and international, by the accession to power of the "Young Turks ".
The Maronite Church is divided into nine dioceses : Gibail and Batrun (60,000 souls ); Beirut and one part of the Lebanon (50,000); Tyre and Sidon (47,000); Baalbek and Kesraouan (40,000); Tripoli (35,000); Cyprus and another part of the Lebanon (30,000); Damascus and Hauran (25,000); Aleppo and Cilicia (5000); Egypt (7000). The last-named diocese is under a vicar patriarchal, who also has charge of the Maronite communities in foreign parts -- Leghorn, Marseilles, Paris -- and particularly those in America.
(1) The Patriarch
The official title is Patriarcha Antiochenus Maronitarum. The Maronite patriarch shares the title of Antioch with three other Catholic patriarchs -- the Melchite, the Syrian Catholic, and the Latin (titular) -- one schismatical (Orthodox), and one heretical (Syrian Jacobite). The question will be considered later on, whether, apart from the concession of the Holy See, the Maronite patriarch can allege historical right to the title of Antioch. Since the fifteenth century his traditional residence has been the cloister of St. Mary of Kanôbin, where are the tombs of the patriarchs. In winter he resides at Bkerke, below Beirut, in the district of Kesraouan. He himself administers the Diocese of Gibail-Batrun, but with the assistance of the titular Bishops of St-Jean d'Acre, Tarsus, and Nazareth, who also assist him in the general administration of the patriarchate. He has the right to nominate others, and there are also several patriarchal vicars who are not bishops. The patriarch is elected by the Maronite bishops, usually on the ninth day after the see has been declared vacant. He must be not less than forty years of age, and two-thirds of the whole number of votes are required to elect him. On the next day the enthronization takes place, and then the solemn benediction of the newly elected patriarch. The proceedings of the assembly are transmitted to Rome ; the pope may either approve or disapprove the election; if he approves, he sends the pallium to the new patriarch; if not, he quashes the acts of the assembly and is free to name a candidate of his own choice. The chief prerogatives of the patriarch are: to convoke national councils; to choose and consecrate bishops ; to hear and judge charges against bishops ; to visit dioceses other than his own once in every three years. He blesses the holy oils and distributes them to the clergy and laity ; he grants indulgences, receives the tithes and the taxes for dispensations, and may accept legacies, whether personal or for the Church. Before 1736 he received fees for ordinations and the blessing of holy oils ; this privilege being suppressed, Benedict XIV substituted for it permission to receive a subsidium caritativum . The distinctive insignia of the patriarch are the masnaftô (a form of head-dress), the phainô (a kind of cape or cope ), the orarion (a kind of pallium ), the tiara, or mitre (other bishops wear only the orarion and the mitre ), the pastoral staff surmounted with a cross, and, in the Latin fashion, the pastoral ring and the pectoral cross. To sum up, the Maronite patriarch exercises over his subjects, virtually, the authority of a metropolitan. He himself is accountable only to the pope and the Congregation of Propaganda ; he is bound to make his visit ad limina only once in every ten years. The present (1910) occupant of the patriarchal throne is Mgr. Elias Hoysk, elected in 1899.
(2) The Episcopate
The bishops are nominated by the patriarch. The title of Archbishop (metropolitan), attached to the Sees of Aleppo, Beirut, Damascus, Tyre and Sidon, and Tripoli, is purely honorary. A bishop without a diocese resides at Ehden. It has been said above that the patriarch nominates a certain number of titular bishops. The bishop, besides his spiritual functions, exercises, especially outside of the Vilayet of the Lebanon, a judicial and civil jurisdiction.
The bishops are assisted by chorepiscopi, archdeacons, economi, and periodeutes ( bardût ). The chorepiscopus visits, and can also consecrate, churches. The chorepiscopus of the episcopal residence occupies the first place in the cathedral in the absence of the bishop. The periodeutes, as his name indicates, is a kind of vicar forane who acts for the bishop in the inspection of the rural clergy. The economus is the bishop's coadjutor for the administration of church property and the episcopal mensa.
(3) The Clergy
Of the 300 parishes some are given by the bishops to regulars, others to seculars. Priests without parishes are celibate and dependent on the patriarch. The others are married -- that is to say, they marry while in minor orders, but cannot marry a second time. There are about 1100 secular priests and 800 regulars. The education of the clergy is carried on in five patriarchal and nine diocesan seminaries. Many study at Rome, and a great number in France, thanks to the "Œuvre de St Louis" and the burses supported by the French Government. The intellectual standard of the Maronite clergy is decidedly higher than that of the schismatical and heretical clergy who surround them. The married priests of the rural parishes are often very simple men, still more often they are far from well-to-do, living almost exclusively on the honoraria received for Masses and the presents of farm produce given them by the country people. Most of them have to eke out these resources by cultivating their little portions of land or engaging in some modest industry.
(4) The Religious
These number about 2000, of whom 800 are priests. They all observe the rule known as that of St. Anthony, but are divided into three congregations: the oldest, that of St. Anthony, or of Eliseus, was approved in 1732. It was afterwards divided into Aleppines and peasants, or Baladites, a division approved by Clement XIV in 1770. In the meantime another Antonian congregation had been founded under the patronage of Isaias, and approved in 1740. The Aleppines have 6 monasteries ; the Isaians, 13 or 14; the Baladites, 25. The Aleppines have a procurator at Rome, residing near S. Pietro in Vincoli. The lay brothers give themselves up to manual labour; the priests, to intellectual, with the care of souls, having charge of a great many parishes. The monastic habit consists of a black tunic and a girdle of leather, a cowl, mantle, and sandals. -- There are also seven monasteries, containing about 200 religious, under a rule founded by a former Bishop of Aleppo. At Aintoura, also, there are some Maronite sisters following the Salesian Rule.
(5) The Liturgy
The Maronite is a Syrian Rite, Syriac being the liturgical language, though the Gospel is read in Arabic for the benefit of the people. Many of the priests, who are not sufficiently learned to perform the Liturgy in Syriac, use Arabic instead, but Arabic written in Syriac characters ( Karshuni ). The liturgy is of the Syrian type, i.e., the liturgy of St. James, but much disfigured by attempts to adapt it to Roman usages. Adaptation, often useless and servile, to Roman usages is the distinguishing characteristic of the Maronite among Oriental Rites. This appears, not only in the Liturgy, but also in the administration of all the Sacraments. The Maronites consecrate unleavened bread, they do not mingle warm water in the Chalice, and they celebrate many Masses at the same altar. Communion under both kinds was discouraged by Gregory XIII and at last formally forbidden in 1736, though it is still permitted for the deacon at high Mass. Benedict XIV forbade the communicating of newly baptized infants. Baptism is administered in the Latin manner, and since 1736 confirmation, which is reserved to the bishop, has been given separately. The formula for absolution is not deprecative, as it is in other Eastern Rites , but indicative, as in the Latin, and Maronite priests can validly absolve Catholics of all rites. The orders are: tonsure, psalte , or chanter, lector, sub-deacon, deacon, priest. Ordination as psalte may be received at the age of seven; as deacon, at twenty-one; as priest, at thirty, or, with a dispensation, at twenty-five. Wednesday and Friday of every week are days of abstinence ; a fast lasts until midday, and the abstinence is from meat and eggs. Lent lasts for seven weeks, beginning at Quinquagesima ; the fast is observed every day except Saturdays, Sundays, and certain feast days; fish is allowed. There are neither ember days nor vigils, but there is abstinence during twenty days of Advent and fourteen days preceding the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Latin devotional practices are more customary among the Maronites than in any other Uniat Eastern Church -- benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Way of the Cross, the Rosary, the devotion to the Sacred Heart, etc.
(6) The Faithful
In the interior of the country the faithful are strongly attached to their faith and very respectful to the monks and the other clergy. Surrounded by Mussulmans, schismatics, and heretics, they are proud to call themselves Roman Catholics ; but education is as yet but little developed, despite the laudable efforts of some of the bishops, and although schools have been established, largely through the efforts of the Latin missionaries and the support of the society of the Ecoles d'Orient, besides the Collège de la Sagesse at Beirut. Returning emigrants do nothing to raise the moral and religious standard. The influence of the Western press is outrageously bad. Wealthy Maronites, too often indifferent, if not worse, do not concern themselves about this state of affairs, which is a serious cause of anxiety to the more intelligent and enlightened among the clergy. But the Maronite nation as a whole remains faithful to its traditions. If they are not exactly the most important community of Eastern Uniats in point of numbers, it is at least true to say that they form the most effective fulcrum for the exertion of a Catholic propaganda in the Lebanon and on the Syrian coast.
FREE Catholic Classes Pick a class, you can learn anything
II. HISTORY OF THE MARONITES
All competent authorities agree as to the history of the Maronites as far back as the sixteenth century, but beyond that period the unanimity ceases. They themselves assert at once the high antiquity and the perpetual orthodoxy of their nation; but both of these pretensions have constantly been denied by their Christian -- even Catholic -- rivals in Syria, the Melchites, whether Catholic or Orthodox, the Jacobite Syrians, and the Catholic Syrians. Some European scholars accept the Maronite view; the majority reject it. So many points in the primitive history of the nation are still obscure that we can here only set forth the arguments advanced on either side, without drawing any conclusion.
The whole discussion gravitates around a text of the twelfth century. William of Tyre (De Bello Sacro, XX, viii) relates the conversion of 40,000 Maronites in the year 1182. The substance of the leading text is as follows: "After they [the nation that had been converted, in the vicinity of Byblos ] had for five hundred years adhered to the false teaching of an heresiarch named Maro, so that they took from him the name of Maronites, and, being separated from the true Church had been following their own peculiar liturgy [ab ecclesia fidelium sequestrati seorsim sacramenta conficerent sua], they came to the Patriarch of Antioch, Aymery, the third of the Latin patriarchs, and, having abjured their error, were, with their patriarch and some bishops, reunited to the true Church. They declared themselves ready to accept and observe the prescriptions of the Roman Church. There were more than 40,000 of them, occupying the whole region of the Lebanon, and they were of great use to the Latins in the war against the Saracens. The error of Maro and his adherents is and was, as may be read in the Sixth Council, that in Jesus Christ there was, and had been since the beginning only one will and one energy. And after their separation they had embraced still other pernicious doctrines."
We proceed to consider the various interpretations given to this text.
A. The Maronite PositionMaro, a Syrian monk, who died in the fifth century and is noticed by Theodoret (Religionis Historia, xvi), had gathered together some disciples on the banks of the Orantes, between Emesa and Apamea. After his death the faithful built, at the place, where he had lived, a monastery which they named after him. When Syria was divided by heresies, the monks of Beit-Marun remained invariably faithful to the cause of orthodoxy, and rallied to it the neighbouring inhabitants. This was the cradle of the Maronite nation. The Jacobite chroniclers bear witness that these populations aided the Emperor Heraclius in the struggle against Monophysitism even by force (c. 630). Moreover, thirty years later when Mu‘awyah, the future caliph, was governor of Damascus (658-58), they disputed with the Jacobites in his presence, and the Jacobites, being worsted, had to pay a large penalty. The Emperor Heraclius and his successors having meanwhile succumbed to the Monothelite heresy, which was afterwards condemned in the Council of 681, the Maronites, who until then had been partisans of the Byzantine emperor (Melchites), broke with him, so as not to be in communion with a heretic. From this event dates the national independence of the Maronites. Justinian II (Rhinotmetes) wished to reduce them to subjection: in 694 his forces attacked the monastery, destroyed it, and marched over the mountain towards Tripoli, to complete their conquest. But the Maronites, with the Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, St. John Maro, at their head, routed the Greeks near Amiun, and saved that autonomy which they were able to maintain through succeeding ages. They are to be identified with the Mardaïtes of Syria, who, in the Lebanon, on the frontier of the Empire, successfully struggled with the Byzantines and the Arabs. There the Crusaders found them, and formed very close relations with them. William of Tyre relates that, in 1182, the Maronites to the number of 40,000, were converted from Monothelitism ; but either this is an error of information, due to William's having copied, without critically examining, the Annals of Eutychius, an Egyptian Melchite who calumniated the Maronites, or else these 40,000 were only a very small part of the nation who had, through ignorance, allowed themselves to be led astray by the Monothelite propaganda of a bishop named Thomas of Kfar-tas. Besides, the Maronites can show an unbroken list of patriarchs between the time of St. John Maro and that of Pope Innocent III ; these patriarchs, never having erred in faith, or strayed into schism, are the only legitimate heirs of the Patriarchate of Antioch, or at least they have a claim to that title certainly not inferior to the claim of any rival. -- Such is the case frequently presented by Maronites, and in the last place by Mgr. Debs, Archbishop of Beirut (Perpétuelle orthodoxie des Maronites).
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >
(1) The Monastery of St. Maro before the Monothelite Controversy
The existence since the sixth century of a convent of St. Maro, or of Beit-Marun, between Apamea and Elmesa, on the right bank of the Orontes, is an established fact, and it may very well have been built on the spot where Maro the solitary dwelt, of whom Theodoret speaks. This convent suffered for its devotion to the true faith, as is strikingly evident from an address presented by its monks to the Metropolitan of Apamea in 517, and to Pope Hormisdas, complaining of the Monophysites, who had massacred 350 monks for siding with the Council of Chalcedon . In 536 the apocrisarius Paul appears at Constantinople subscribing the Acts of the Fourth Œcumenical Council in the name of the monks of St. Maro. In 553, this same convent is represented at the Fifth Œcumenical Council by the priest John and the deacon Paul. The orthodox emperors, particularly Justinian (Procopius, "De Ædific.", V, ix) and Heraclius, gave liberal tokens of their regard for the monastery. The part played by the monks of St. Maro, isolated in the midst of an almost entirely Monophysite population, should not be underrated. But it will be observed that in the texts cited there is mention of a single convent, and not by any means of a population such as could possibly have originated the Maronite nation of later times.
(2) St. John Maro
The true founder of the Maronite nation, the patriarch St. John Maro, would have lived towards the close of the seventh century, but, unfortunately, his very existence is extremely doubtful. All the Syriac authors and the Byzantine priest Timotheus derive the name Maronite from that of the convent Beni-Marun. The words of Timotheus are: Maronîtai dè kèklentai àpò toû monasteríon a&útôn Marò kalonménou èn Suría (in P.G. LXXXVI, 65 and note 53). Renaudot absolutely denies the existence of John Maro. But, supposing that he did exist, as may be inferred from the testimony of the tenth-century Melchite Patriarch Eutychius (the earliest text bearing on the point), his identity has baffled all researches. His name is not to be found in any list of Melchite Patriarchs of Antioch, whether Greek or Syriac. As the patriarchs of the seventh and eighth centuries were orthodox, there was no reason why St. John Maro should have been placed at the head of an alleged orthodox branch of the Church of Antioch. The episcopal records of Antioch for the period in question may be summarized as follows: 685, election of Theophanes; 686, probable election of Alexander; 692, George assists at the Trullan Council ; 702-42, vacancy of the See of Antioch on account of Mussulman persecutions ; 742, election of Stephen. But, according to Mgr Debs, the latest Maronite historian, St. John Maro would have occupied the patriarchal See of Antioch from 685 to 707.
The Maronites insist, affirming that St. John Maro must have been Patriarch of Antioch because his works present him under that title. The works of John Maro referred to are an exposition of the Liturgy of St. James and a treatise on the Faith. The former is published by Joseph Aloysius Assemani in his "Codex Liturgicus" and certainly bears the name of John Maro, but the present writer has elsewhere shown that this alleged commentary of St. John Maro is no other than the famous commentary of Dionysius bar-Salibi, a Monophysite author of the twelfth century, with mutilations, additions, and accommodations to suit the changes by which the Maronites have endeavoured to make the Syriac Liturgy resemble the Roman (Dionysius Bar Salibi, "expositio liturgiæ", ed. Labourt, pref.). The treatise on the Faith is not likely to be any more authentic than the liturgical work: it bears a remarkable resemblance to a theological treatise of Leontius of Byzantium, and should therefore, very probably, be referred to the second half of the sixth century and the first half of the seventh -- a period much earlier than that which the Maronites assign to St. John Maro. Besides, it contains nothing about Monothelitism -- which, in fact, did not yet exist. John Maro, we must therefore conclude, is a very problematic personality ; if he existed at all, it was as a simple monk, not by any means as a Melchite Patriarch of Antioch.
(3) Uninterrupted Orthodoxy of the Maronites
It is to be remembered that before the rise of Monothelitism, the monks of St. Maro, to whom the Maronites trace their origin, were faithful to the Council of Chalcedon as accepted by the Byzantine emperors; they were Melchites in the full sense of the term -- i.e., Imperialists, representing the Byzantine creed among populations which had abandoned it, and, we may add, representing the Byzantine language and Byzantine culture among peoples whose speech and manners were those of Syria. There is no reason to think that, when the Byzantine emperors, by way of one last effort at union with their Jacobite subjects, Syrian and Egyptian, endeavoured to secure the triumph of Monothelitism -- a sort of compromise between Monophysistism and Chalcedonian orthodoxy -- the monks of St. Maro abandoned the Imperialist party and faithfully adhered to orthodoxy. On the contrary, all the documents suggest that the monks of Beit-Marun embraced Monothelitism, and still adhered to that heresy even after the Council of 681, when the emperors had abjured it. It is not very difficult to produce evidence of this in a text of Dionysius of Tell-Mahré (d. 845) preserved to us in the chronicle of Michael the Syrian, which shows Heraclius forcing most of the Syrian monks to accept his Ecthesis, and those of Beit-Marun are counted among the staunchest partisans of the emperor. One very instructive passage in this same chronicle, referring to the year 727, recounts at length a quarrel between the two branches of the Chalcedonians, the orthodox and the Monothelites, where the former are called Maximists, after St. Maximus the confessor, the uncompromising adversary of the Monothelites, while the latter are described as the "party of Beit-Marun" and " monks of Beit-Marun". We are here told how the monks of St. Maro have a bishop in their monastery, how they convert most of the Melchites of the country districts to Monothelitism and even successfully contend with the Maximists (i.e., the Catholics ) for the possession of a church at Aleppo. From that time on, being cut off from communion with the Melchite (Catholic) Patriarch of Antioch, they do as the Jacobites did before them, and for the same reasons: they set up a separate Church, eschewing, however, with equal horror the Monophysites, who reject the Council of Chalcedon, and the Catholics who condemn the Monothelite Ecthesis of Heraclius and accept the Sixth Œcumenical Council. Why the monks of Beit-Marun, hitherto so faithful to the Byzantine emperors, should have deserted them when they returned to orthodoxy, we do not know ; but it is certain that in this defection the Maronite Church and nation had its origin, and that the name Maronite thenceforward becomes a synonym for Monothelite , as well with Byzantine as with Nestorian or Monophysite writers. Says the Chronicle of Michael the Syrian, referring to this period: "The Maronites remained as they are now. They ordain a patriarch and bishops from their convent. They are separated from Maximus, in that they confess only one will in Christ, and say: 'Who was crucified for us'. But they accept the Synod of Chalcedon." St. Germanus of Constantinople, in his treatise "De Hæresibus et Synodis" (about the year 735), writes: "There are some heretics who, rejecting the Fifth and Sixth Councils, nevertheless contend against the Jacobites. The latter treat them as men without sense, because, while accepting the Fourth Council, they try to reject the next two. Such are the Maronites, whose monastery is situated in the very mountains of Syria." (The Fourth Council was that of Chalcedon.) St. John Damascene, a Doctor of the Church (d. 749), also considered the Maronites heretics. He reproaches them, among other things, with continuing to add the words staurotheis dì emâs (Who didst suffer for us on the Cross) to the Trisagion, an addition susceptible of an orthodox sense, but which had eventually been prohibited in order to prevent misunderstanding [ maronísomen prosthémenoi tô trisagío tèn sta&úrosin ("We shall be following Maro, if we join the Crucifixion to our Trisagion" -- "De Hymno Trisagio", ch. v). Cf. perì òû phronematos , ch. v.]. A little later, Timotheus I, Patriarch of the Nestorians, receives a letter from the Maronites, proposing that he should admit them to his communion. His reply is extant, though as yet unpublished, in which he felicitates them on rejecting, as he himself does, the idea of more than one energy and one will in Christ ( Monothelitism ), but lays down certain conditions which amount to an acceptance of his Nestorianism, though in a mitigated form. Analogous testimony may be found in the works of the Melchite controversialist Theodore Abukara (d. c. 820) and the Jacobite theologian Habib Abu-Raïta (about the same period), as also in the treatise "De Receptione Hareticorum" attributed to the priest Timotheus (P.G., 86, 65). Thus, in the eighth century there exists a Maronite Church distinct from the Catholic Church and from the Monophysite Church ; this Church extends far into the plain of Syria and prevails especially in the mountain regions about the monastery of Beit-Marun. In the ninth century this Church was probably confined to the mountain regions. The destruction of the monastery of Beit-Marun did not put an end to it; it completed its organization by setting up a patriarch, the first known Maronite patriarch dating from 1121, though there may have been others before him. The Maronite mountaineers preserved a relative autonomy between the Byzantine emperors, on the one hand, who reconquered Antioch in the tenth century, and, on the other hand, the Mussulmans. The Crusaders entered into relations with them. In 1182, almost the entire nation -- 40,000 of them -- were converted. From the moment when their influence ceased to extend over the hellenized lowlands of Syria, the Maronites ceased to speak any language but Syriac, and used no other in their liturgy. It is impossible to assign a date to this disappearance of hellenism among them. At the end of the eighth century the Maronite Theophilus of Edessa knew enough Greek to translate and comment on the Homeric poems. It is very likely that Greek was the chief language used in the monastery of Beit-Marun, at least until the ninth century; that monastery having been destroyed, there remained only country and mountain villages where nothing but Syriac had ever been used either colloquially or in the liturgy.
It would be pleasant to be able at least to say that the orthodoxy of the Maronites has been constant since 1182, but unfortunately, even this cannot be asserted. There have been at least partial defections among them. No doubt the patriarch Jeremias al Amshîti visited Innocent III at Rome in 1215, and he is known to have taken home with him some projects of liturgical reform. But in 1445, after the Council of Florence, the Maronites of Cyprus return to Catholicism ( Hefele, "Histoire des counciles", tr. Delare, XI, 540). In 1451, Pius II, in his letter to Mahomet II, still ranks them among the heretics. Gryphone, an illustrious Flemish Franciscan of the end of the fifteenth century, converted a large number of them, receiving several into the Order of St. Francis, and one of them, Gabriel Glaï (Barclaïus, or Benclaïus), whom he had caused to be consecrated Bishop of Lefkosia in Cyprus, was the first Maronite scholar to attempt to establish his nation's claim to unvarying orthodoxy : in a letter written in 1495 he gives what purports to be a list of eighteen Maronite patriarchs in succession, from the beginning of their Church down to his own time, taken from documents which he assumes to come down from the year 1315. -- It is obvious to remark how recent all that is. -- The Franciscan Suriano ("Il trattato di Terra Santa e dell' Oriente di fr. Fr. Suriano", ed. Golubovitch), who was delegated to the Maronites by Leo X, in 1515, points out many traits of ignorance and many abuses among them, and regards Maro as a Monothelite. However, it may be asserted that the Maronites never relapsed into Monothelitism after Gryphone's mission. Since James of Hadat (1439-48) all their patriarchs have been strictly orthodox.
C. The Maronite Church since the Sixteenth CenturyThe Lateran Council of 1516 was the beginning of a new era, which has also been the most brilliant, in Maronite history. The letters of the patriarch Simon Peter and of his bishops may be found in the eleventh session of that council (19 Dec., 1516). From that time the Maronites were to be in permanent and uninterrupted contact with Rome. Moses of Akbar (1526-67) received a letter from Pius IV. The patriarch Michael sought the intervention of Gregory XIII and received the pallium from him. That great pontiff was the most distinguished benefactor of the Maronite Church : he established at Rome a hospital for them, and then the Maronite College to which the bishops could send six of their subjects. Many famous savants have gone out of this college : George Amira, the grammarian, who died patriarch in 1633; Isaac of Schadrê; Gabriel Siouni, professor at the Sapienza, afterwards interpreter to King Louis XIII and collaborator in the Polyglot Bible (d. 1648); Abraham of Hakel (Ecchelensis), a very prolific writer, professor at Rome and afterwards at Paris, and collaborator in the Polyglot Bible ; above all, the Assemani -- Joseph Simeon, editor of the "Bibliotheca Orientalis", Stephanus Evodius, and Joseph Aloysius. Another Maronite college was founded at Ravenna by Innocent X, but was amalgamated with that at Rome in 1665. After the French Revolution the Maronite College was attached to the Congregation of Propaganda.
In the patriarchate of Sergius Risius, the successor of Michael, the Jesuit Jerome Dandini, by order of Clement VIII, directed a general council of the Maronites at Kannobin in 1616, which enacted twenty-one canons, correcting abuses and effecting reforms in liturgical matters; the liturgical reforms of the council of 1596, however, were extremely moderate. Other patriarchs were: Joseph II Risius, who, in 1606, introduced the Gregorian Calendar; John XI (d. 1633), to whom Paul V sent the pallium in 1610; Gregory Amira (1633-44); Joseph III of Akur (1644-47); John XII of Soffra (d. 1656). The last two of these prelates converted a great many Jacobites. Stephen of Ehdem (d. 1704) composed a history of his predecessors from 1095 to 1699. Peter James II was deposed in 1705, but Joseph Mubarak, who was elected in his place, was not recognized by Clement XI, and, through the intervention of Propaganda, which demanded the holding of another council, Peter James II was restored in 1713.
Under Joseph IV (1733-42) was held a second national council, which is of highest importance. Pope Clement XII delegated Joseph Simeon Assemani, who was assisted by his nephew Stephanus Evodius, with an express mandate to cause the Council of Trent to be promulgated in the Lebanon. The Jesuit Fromage was appointed synodal orator. According to the letter which he sent to his superiors (published at the beginning of Mansi's thirty-eighth volume), the chief abuses to be corrected by the ablegate were: (1) The Maronite bishops, in virtue of an ancient custom, had in their households a certain number of religious women, whose lodgings were, as a rule, separated from the bishop's only by a door of communication. (2) The patriarch had reserved to himself exclusively the right to consecrate the holy oils and distribute them among the bishops and clergy in consideration of money payments. (3) Marriage dispensations were sold for a money price. (4) The Blessed Sacrament was not reserved in most of the country churches, and was seldom to be found except in the churches of religious communities. (5) Married priests were permitted to remarry. (6) Churches lacked their becoming ornaments, and "the members of Jesus Christ, necessary succour", while, on the other hand, there were too many bishops -- fifteen to one hundred and fifty parishes. (7) The Maronites of Aleppo had, for ten or twelve years past, been singing the Liturgy in Arabic only.
With great difficultly, J. S. Assemani overcame the ill will of the patriarch and the intrigues of the bishops : the Council of the Lebanon at last convened in the monastery of St. Mary of Luweïza, fourteen Maronite bishops, one Syrian, and one Armenian assisting. The abuses enumerated above were reformed, and measures were taken to combat ignorance by establishing schools. The following decisions were also taken: the Filioque was introduced into the Creed ; in the Synaxary, not only the first six councils were to be mentioned, but also the Seventh (Nicæa, 787), the Eighth (Constantinople, 869), the Council of Florence (1439), and the Council of Trent ; the pope was to be named in the Mass and in other parts of the liturgy ; confirmation was reserved to the bishop ; the consecration of the holy chrism and the holy oils
More Volume: M 993
Click/Touch the sub-volume below to view encyclopedia articles within the sub-volume.
Mâ 1
Mâ 1
Mâcon, Ancient Diocese of
(MATISCONENSIS) Located in Burgundy. The city of Mâcon, formerly the capital of the ...Mé 6
Mé 6
Ménard, Léon
Writer, b. at Tarrascon, 12 Sept., 1706; d. in Paris, 1 Oct., 1767. When he had completed his ...Ménard, Nicolas-Hugues
Of the Congregation of St. Maur, b. in Paris, 1585; d. 21 Jan., 1644. His father was was private ...Ménard, René
Missionary, b. at Paris, 1604, d. about 10 August, 1661, in what is now Wisconsin. After the ...Méndez and Gualaquiza
Vicariate Apostolic established by Leo XIII on 3 February, 1893, in the southern part of the ...Mérida
(EMERITENSIS IN INDIIS) A suffragan see of Santiago of Venezuela or Caracas, comprises the ...Mérode, Frédéric-François-Xavier Ghislain de
A Belgian prelate and statesman, born at Brussels, 1820; died at Rome, 1874. The son of ...Mè 1
Mè 1
Mège, Antoine-Joseph
A Maurist Benedictine, born in 1625 at Clermont ; died 15 April, 1691, at the monastery of St. ...Mö 1
Mö 1
Möhler, Johann Adam
Theologian, b. at Igersheim (Würtemberg), 6 April, 1796; d. at Munich, 12 April, 1838. The ...Mü 9
Mü 9
Mühlbacher, Engelbert
An historian, born at Gresten, Austria, 4 Oct., 1843; died at Vienna, 17 July, 1903. He received ...Müller, Adam Heinrich
Publicist and political economist , convert, b. at Berlin, 30 June, 1779; d. at Vienna, 17 Jan., ...Müller, Johann
Physiologist and comparative anatomist, b. at Coblenz, 14 July, 1801; d. at Berlin, 28 April, ...Müller, Johann
(Regiomontanus). German astronomer, b. in or near Königsberg, a small town in lower ...Müller, Karl
Professor at Düsseldorf, b. at Darmstadt, 29 Oct., 1818; d. at Neuenahr, 15 Aug., 1893, ...Münch-Bellinghausen, Baron Eligius Franz Joseph von
(Pseudonym: FRIEDRICH HALM) An Austrian dramatist, born at Cracow, 2 April, 1806; died at ...Münster
D IOCESE OF M ÜNSTER (M ONASTERIENSIS ). Diocese in the Prussian Province of ...Münster, University of
The town of Münster in Westphalia obtained its university in 1771 through the initiative ...Müntz, Eugène
French savant and historian; b. at Soulz-sous--Forêts, near Mülhausen, Alsace, 11 ...Ma 464
Ma 464
Maassen, Friedrich Bernard Christian
Professor of law, born 24 September, 1823, at Wismar (Mecklenburg); died 9 April, 1900, at ...Mabillon, Jean
Benedictine monk of the Congregation of Saint-Maur, born at Saint-Pierremont between Mouzon and ...Mabinogion
A collection of medieval Welsh tales in prose. The word is a derivation of the mab , "son", ...Macao
(MACAOENSIS). Diocese ; suffragan of Goa, founded 23 January, 1575, by the Bull "Super ...Macarius
The name of two celebrated contemporary Nitrian monks of the fourth century: Macarius the ...Macarius Magnes
A Christian apologist of the end of the fourth century. Some authorities regard the words ...Macarius of Antioch
A Patriarch, deposed in 681. Macarius's dignity seems to have been a purely honorary one, for ...Macarius, Saint
Bishop of Jerusalem (312-34). The date of Macarius's accession to the episcopate is found in ...Maccabee, Judas
Third son of the priest Mathathias who with his family was the centre and soul of the ...Maccabees, The
(Greek Hoi Makkabaioi ; Latin Machabei ; most probably from Aramaic maqqaba ="hammer"). ...Maccabees, The Books of
The title of four books, of which the first and second only are regarded by the Church as ...MacCaghwell, Hugh
(Cavellus). Archbishop and theologian, born at Saul, Co. Down, 1571; died 22 September, 1626. He ...MacCarthy, Bartholomew
Irish scholar and chronologist, b. at Conna, Ballynoe, Co. Cork, 12 Dec., 1843; d. at ...MacCarthy, Denis Florence
Well-known Irish poet of the nineteenth century, born in Lower O'Connell Street, Dublin, 26 ...MacCarthy, Nicholas Tuite
Called the Abbé de Lévignac, born in Dublin on 19 May, 1769; died at Annécy, ...MacCuilenan, Cormac
(836-908). An Irish bishop and King of Cashel, Cormac MacCquilenan was of the race of ...MacDonald, John
Laird of Glenaladale and Glenfinnan, philanthropist, colonizer, soldier, born in Glenaladale, ...MacDonell, Alexander
First Bishop of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, b. 17 July 1760, at Inchlaggan in Glengarry, ...Mace
(1) A short, richly ornamented staff, often made of silver, the upper part furnished with a knob ...Macedo, Francisco
Known as a S. Augustino, O.F.M., theologian, born at Coimbra, Portugal, 1596; he entered the ...Macedonians
(Macedonians) A heretical sect which flourished in the countries adjacent to the Hellespont ...Macerata and Tolentino
Located in the Marches, Central Italy. Macerata is a provincial capital, situated on a hill, ...MacFarland, Francis Patrick
Third Bishop of Hartford born at Franklin, Pennsylvania, 16 April, 1819; died at Hartford, ...MacGeoghegan, James
Born at Uisneach, Westmeath, Ireland, 1702; died at Paris, 1763. He came of a long family long ...Machabees, The
(Greek Hoi Makkabaioi ; Latin Machabei ; most probably from Aramaic maqqaba ="hammer"). ...Machabees, The Books of
The title of four books, of which the first and second only are regarded by the Church as ...Machabeus, Judas
Third son of the priest Mathathias who with his family was the centre and soul of the ...MacHale, John
Born March 6, 1791 at Tubbernavine, Co. Mayo, Ireland ; died at Tuam, November 4, 1881. He ...Machiavelli
Historian and statesman, b. at Florence, 3 May, 1469; d. there, 22 June, 1527. His family is ...Machpelah
The burial-place in the vicinity of ancient Hebron which Abraham bought from Ephron the Hethite ...Machutus, Saint
(Maclovius; Malo). Born about the year 520 probably in Wales and baptized by St. Brendan . ...Mackenzie
This vicariate which was detached from the Athabaska-Mackenzie Vicariate in 1901 and intrusted to ...Maclovius, Saint
(Maclovius; Malo). Born about the year 520 probably in Wales and baptized by St. Brendan . ...MacMahon, Heber
( Also EMER or EVER). Bishop of Clogher, Ireland, and patriotic leader, born at Farney, ...MacMahon, Marie-Edmé-Patrice-Maurice de
Duc de Magenta, Marshal of France, President of the French Republic; born at Sully, ...MacNeven, William James
Distinguished Irish-American physician and medical educator, b. at Ballynahowna, near Aughrim, ...Macri
(or MACRAS?) A titular see in Mauretania Sitifiensis. This town figures only in the "Notitia ...Macrina the Elder, Saint
Our knowledge of the life of the elder Macrina is derived mainly from the testimony of the ...Macrina the Younger, Saint
Born about 330; died 379. She was the eldest child of Basil and Elder Emmelia, the granddaugher of ...Mactaris
A titular see of the Byzantine Empire. This town is not spoken of by any ancient geographers ...Madagascar
On the second day of March, 1500, a fleet of thirteen ships, commanded by Pedro Alvarez Cabral, ...Madaurus
A titular see of Numidia. It was an old Numidian town which, having once belonged to the Kingdom ...Maderna, Carlo
(1556-1629) known principally by his extension of St. Peter's, at the command of the pope, from ...Maderno, Stefano
(1576-1636), a sculptor of the Roman School and of the era just preceding Bernini, his ...Madianites
(In Authorized Version M IDIANITES ). An Arabian tribe ( Septuagint Madienaîoi ...Madras
(MADRASPATAM; MADRASPATANA) Archdiocese in India. Its area is about 40,350 square miles, and ...Madrid-Alcalá
(M ATRITENSIS -A LACHENSIS, or C OMPLUTENSUS : Complutum being the name given by the Romans ...Madruzzi, Christopher
Born of a noble family of Trent, 5 July, 1512; died at Tivoli, Italy, 5 July, 1578. He studied ...Madura Mission
As shown in the "Atlas Geographicus S.J.", the ancient Jesuit missions in India under the ...Maedoc, Saint
(MOEDHOG, MOGUE, ÆDDAN FOEDDOG, AIDUS, HUGH) First Bishop of Ferns, in Wexford, b. ...Maelruan, Saint
(Maolruain, Melruan, Molruan). Founder and first Abbot of Tamalcht (Tallacht), in the County of ...Maelrubha, Saint
(MA-RUI, MOLROY, ERREW, SUMMARYRUFF, also SAGART-RUADH) An abbot and martyr, founder of ...Maerlant, Jacob van
The greatest Flemish poet of the Middle Ages, b. about 1235; d. after 1291. Of his life little ...Maestro di Camera del Papa
In former times there were four so-called palace prelates ( prelati palatini ): the Major ...Maffei, Bernardino
Poet, orator, and antiquarian, b. at Bergamo, 27 Jan., 1514; d. at Rome, 1 Aug., 1549. He studied ...Maffei, Francesco
Italian painter, b. at Vicenza ; d. at Padua, 1660. His influence upon the art of his own and ...Maffei, Marchese Francesco Scipione
Italian littérateur and archaeologist, b. at Verona, 1 June, 1675; d. there, 11 Feb., ...Maffei, Raffaelo
Humanist, historian and theologian, b. 17 February, 1451; d. 25 January, 1522. He was a native of ...Magaud, Antoine-Dominique
French painter, b. at Marseilles 1817; d. there, 1899. He studied in Paris under Léon ...Magdala
( Hebrew Migdal = tower, fortress; Aramaic Magdala ; Greek Magdala ). It is perhaps the ...Magdalens
The members of certain religious communities of penitent women who desired to reform their ...Magdeburg
Capital of the Prussian Province of Saxony, situated on the Elbe; pop. 241,000; it is noted for ...Mageddo
Chanaanite city, called in Hebrew, Megiddo ; in Septuagint, Mageddó(n) ; in ...Magellan, Ferdinand
(Portuguese Fernão Magalhaes ). The first circumnavigator of the real world; born ...Magi
(Plural of Latin magus ; Greek magoi ). The "wise men from the East" who came to adore ...Magin Catalá
Born at Montblanch, Catalonia, Spain, 29 or 30 January, 1761; died at Santa Clara, California, ...Maginn, Edward
Coadjutor Bishop of Derry, b. at Fintona, Ireland, 16 Dec., 1802; d. at Derry, 17 January, ...Magisterium and Tradition
The word tradition (Greek paradosis ) in the ecclesiastical sense, which is the only one in ...Magistris, Simone de
Born in 1728; died 6 October, 1802; a priest of the Oratorio di S. Filippo Neri, at Rome, whom ...Magliabechi, Antonio
Italian scholar and librarian, b. 20 Oct., 1633, at Florence ; d. there, 4 July, 1714. He was ...Magna Carta
The charter of liberties granted by King John of England in 1215 and confirmed with ...Magnesia
A titular see in Lydia, suffragan of Ephesus, lying about 40 miles north-east of Smyrna and ...Magnien, Alphonse
An educator of the clergy, born at Bleymard, in the Diocese of Mende , France, 9 June, 1837; ...Magnificat
The title commonly given to the Latin text and vernacular translation of the Canticle (or Song) ...Magnus, Olaus
Swedish historian and geographer, b. at Skeninge, Sweden, 1490; d. at Rome, 1 Aug., 1558 [or ...Magnus, Saint
(MAGNOALDUS, MAGINALDUS, popularly known as ST. MANG) An apostle of the Algäu, d. about ...Magnus, Valerianus
(M AGNI ) Born at Milan, 1586, presumably of the noble family of de Magni; died at ...Magrath, John Macrory
Born in Munster, Ireland, in the fifteenth century; date and place of death unknown. Like many ...Magydus
A titular see of Pamphylia Secunda, suffragan of Perga. It was a small town with no history, on ...Mahony, Ven. Charles
Irish Franciscan martyr ; b. after 1639; d. at Ruthin, Denbighshire, 12 August, 1679. The British ...Mai, Angelo
Roman cardinal and celebrated philologist, b. at Schilpario, in the Diocese of Bergamo, 7 March ...Maignan, Emmanuel
French physicist and theologian ; b. at Toulouse, 17 July, 1601; d. at Toulouse, 29 October, ...Mailla, Joseph-Anna-Marie de Moyria de
Jesuit missionary; b. 16 Dec., 1669, at Château Maillac on the Isère; d. 28 June, ...Maillard, Antoine-Simon
Missionary b. in France (parentage, place and date of birth unknown); d. 12 August, 1762. He ...Maillard, Oliver
Celebrated preacher, b. at Juignac, (?), Brittany, about 1430; d. at Toulouse, 22 July, 1502. He ...Maimbourg, Louis
French church historian, b. at Nancy, 10 January, 1610; d. at Paris, 13 August, 1686. In 1626 he ...Maimonides, Teaching of Moses
Moses ben Maimun (Arabic, Abu Amran Musa), Jewish commentator and philosopher, was born of ...Maina Indians
(Also M AYNA ) A group of tribes constituting a distinct linguistic stock, the Mainan, ...Maine
Maine is commonly known as the Pine Tree State, but is sometimes called the Star in the East. ...Maine de Biran, François-Pierre-Gonthier
A philosopher ; born at Grateloup near Bergerac, Dordogne, France, 29 November, 1766; died at ...Maintenon, Françoise, Marquise de
Born at Niort, 28 November 1635; died at Saint-Cyr, 15 April 1719. She was the granddaughter of ...Mainz
German town and bishopric in Hesse [now Rhineland-Palatine -- Ed. ]; formerly the seat of an ...Maipure Indians
(Maypure) A former important group of tribes on the Upper Orinoco River, from above the Meta ...Maisonneuve, Paul de Chomedey de
Founder of Montreal, b. in Champagne, France, early in the seventeenth century; d. in Paris, 9 ...Maistre, Joseph-Marie, Comte de
French philosophical writer, b. at Chambéry, in Savoy, in 1753, when Savoy did not ...Maistre, Xavier de
French romance writer, younger brother of Joseph-Marie, Comte de Maistre , b. at Chambery, ...Maitland
(MAITLANDENSIS) Located in New South Wales. Maitland, the principal settlement on Hunter ...Majano, Benedetto da
A well-known Florentine sculptor and architect of the Renaissance, b. at Majano, Tuscany. ...Majella, St. Gerard
Born in Muro, about fifty miles south of Naples, in April, 1726; died 16 October, 1755; ...Majorca and Iviza
(MAJORICENSIS ET IBUSENSIS) A suffragan of Valencia, with the episcopal residence at Palma on ...Majordomo
(Latin, Major domus ; Italian, Maggiordomo ). The majordomo or chief steward of the ...Majority
( Latin majoritas ) Majority, the state of a person or thing greater, or superior, in ...Majunke, Paul
Catholic journalist, born at Gross-Schmograu in Silesia, 14 July, 1842; died at Hochkirch near ...Malabar
In its narrower application Malabar was the name of a district of India stretching about 145 ...Malabar Rites
A conventional term for certain customs or practices of the natives of South India, which the ...Malacca
(Malacensis) The Diocese of Malacca comprises the southern portions of the Malay Peninsula, ...Malachias
( Hebrew Mál'akhî ), one of the twelve minor prophets. I. PERSONAGE AND NAME It ...Malachy, Saint
St. Malachy, whose family name was O'Morgair, was born in Armagh in 1094. St. Bernard describes ...Malaga
Diocese of Malaga (Malacitana). Diocese in Spain, by the Concordat of 1851 made a suffragan ...Malagrida, Gabriel
A Jesuit missionary to Brazil, b. 18 September or 6 December, 1689, at Menaggio, in Italy ; ...Malatesta, House of
The name of an Italian family prominent in the history of the fourteenth and fifteenth ...Malchus
(Málchos). Greek form of M ALLUCH (i.e. counsellor), a name common in the Semitic ...Maldonado, Juan
(MALDONATUS) A theologian and exegete, b. in 1533 at Casas de Reina, in the district of ...Malebranche, Nicolas
A philosopher and theologian, priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri ; b. at Paris, 6 ...Malediction (in Scripture)
Four principal words are rendered maledictio in the Vulgate, "curse" in Douay Version : (1) ...Malherbe, François
French poet, b. at Caen, Normandy, in 1555; d. at Paris, 16 October, 1628. He was the eldest son ...Maliseet Indians
Also MALECITE, MALESCHITE and AMALECITE, the last being the official Canadian form. A tribe ...Mallard, Ernest-François
A French mineralogist, b. 4 February, 1833, at Châteauneuf-sur-Cher; d. 6 July, 1894, in ...Mallinckrodt, Herman von
German parliamentarian; born 5 Feb., 1821, at Minden, Westphalia ; died 26 May, 1874, at Berlin. ...Mallinckrodt, Pauline
A sister of the Catholic political leader Hermann Mallinckrodt , and foundress of the Sisters ...Malling Abbey
An abbey of Benedictine nuns, at West Malling in the County of Kent, England. The earliest ...Mallory, Stephen Russell
An American statesman; born in the Island of Trinidad, W. I., 1813; died at Pensacola, Florida, ...Mallus
A titular see of Cilicia Prima, suffragan of Tarsus. According to legend, Mallus founded by ...Malmesbury
A small decayed market town in Wiltshire, England, ninety-five miles west of London, formerly the ...Malmesbury, The Monk of
Supposed author of a chronicle among the Cottonian manuscripts in the British Museum (Vesp. D. ...Malo, Saint
(Maclovius; Malo). Born about the year 520 probably in Wales and baptized by St. Brendan . ...Malone, William
Jesuit missioner and writer; born according to the best authorities, in 1585; died at Seville, ...Malory, Sir Thomas
Of Malory no single biographical statement is beyond conjecture save that he was a knight, that ...Malpighi, Marcello
Founder of comparative physiology, b. at Crevalcore, 10 March, 1628; d. at Rome, 29 Sept., 1694. ...Malta
The group of Maltese islands, including Malta (91.5 sq. m.), Gozo (24 3/4 sq. m.), Comine (1 sq. ...Malta, Knights of
(Also known as K NIGHTS OF M ALTA ). The most important of all the military orders, both ...Maltret, Claude
(Or M ALTRAIT ) French Jesuit, b. at Puy, 3 Oct., 1621; d. Toulouse, 3 Jan., 1674. He entered ...Malvenda, Thomas
An exegete and historical critic, b. at Jativa, Valencia, 1566; d. 7 May, 1628. He entered the ...Malvern
Located in Worcestershire, England, a district covered by a lofty range between the Severn and ...Mamachi, Thomas Maria
Dominican theologian and historian, born at Chios in the Archipelago, 4 December, 1713; died at ...Mame, Alfred-Henri-Amand
Printer and publisher, b. at Tours, 17 Aug., 1811; d. at Tours, 12 April, 1893. The founder ...Mameluco
(From the Arabic, memluk , "slave", the household cavalry of the former sultans of Egypt, ...Mamertine Prison
The so-called "Mamertine Prison ", beneath the church of S. Giuseppe dei Falegnami, via di ...Mamertus, Claudianus
(The name Ecdicius is unauthorized). A Gallo-Roman theologian and the brother of St. ...Mamertus, Saint
Bishop of Vienne, date of birth unknown; died shortly after 475. Concerning the life of ...Mammon
Mamona ; the spelling Mammona is contrary to the textual evidence and seems not to occur in ...Man
(Anglo-Saxon man =a person, human being; supposed root man =to think; German, Mann , ...Manahem
(From a Hebrew meaning "the consoler"; Septuagint, Manaem ; Aquila, Manaen .) Manahem ...Manahen, Saint
( Manaen ) A member of the Church of Antioch , foster-brother, or household-friend ( ...Manasses
The name of seven persons of the Bible , a tribe of Israel , and one of the apocryphal ...Mance, Jeanne
Foundress of the Montreal Hôtel-Dieu, and one of the first women settlers in Canada, b. ...Manchester
(MANCHESTERIENSIS) A suffragan of the Archdiocese of Boston, U.S.A. The city of Manchester is ...Manchuria
A north-eastern division of the Chinese Empire and the cradle of the present [1910] imperial ...Mandan Indians
A formerly important, but now reduced, tribe occupying jointly with the Hidatsa (Minitari or ...Mandeville, Jean de
(MAUNDEVILLE, MONTEVILLA) The author of a book of travels much read in the Middle Ages, died ...Manfredonia
(SIPONTINA) The city of Manfredonia is situated in the province of Foggia in Apulia, Central ...Mangalore
(M ANGALORENSIS ) Diocese on the west coast of India, suffragan of Bombay. It comprises the ...Mangan, James Clarence
Irish poet, b. in Dublin, 1 May, 1803; d. there, 20 June, 1849. He was the son of James Mangan, ...Manharter
A politico-religious sect which arose in Tyrol in the first half of the nineteenth century. Its ...Manichæism
Manichæism is a religion founded by the Persian Mani in the latter half of the third ...Manifestation of Conscience
(RATIO CONSCIENTIÆ) A practice in many religious orders and congregations, by which ...Manila
(DE MANILA) This archdiocese comprises the city of Manila, the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, ...Manila Observatory
Founded by Father Frederic Faura, S.J., in 1865; constituted officially The Philippine Weather ...Maniple
Form, Material, and Use The maniple is an ornamental vestment in the form of a band, a little ...Manitoba
One of the smallest, but economically and historically one of the most important, of the Canadian ...Mann, Theodore Augustine
English naturalist and historian, b. in Yorkshire, 22 June, 1735; d. at Prague in Bohemia, 23 ...Manna
(Greek man, manna ; Latin man, manna ). The food miraculously sent to the Israelites ...Manning, Henry Edward
Cardinal Priest of Sts. Andrew and Gregory on the Coelian Hill and second Archbishop of ...Mannyng, Robert
Poet. He came from Bourne in Lincolnshire, England. From his own account he entered the house of ...Mansard, François
(Also spelled Mansart ). French architect, born in Paris, probably of Italian stock, in ...Mansard, Jules
French architect, grand-nephew of François, was originally Jules Hardouin, but took the ...Mansi, Gian Domenico
Italian prelate and scholar born at Lucca, of a patrician family, 16 February, 1692; died ...Mantegna, Andrea
Italian painter ; born according to some authorities, at Vicenza, according to others at ...Mantelletta
An outer vestment reaching to the knees, open in front, with slits instead of sleeves on the ...Mantua
Diocese of Mantua (Mantuana), in Lombardy. The city is situated on the Mincio River, which ...Mantuanus, Baptista
(Or SPAGNOLI). Carmelite and Renaissance poet, born at Mantua, 17 April, 1447, where he also ...Manu, The Laws of
"The Laws of Manu" is the English designation commonly applied to the "Manava Dharma-sastra", a ...Manuel Chysoloras
First teacher of Greek in Italy, born at Constantinople about the middle of the fourteenth ...Manuscripts
Every book written by hand on flexible material and intended to be placed in a library is called ...Manuscripts of the Bible
Manuscripts are written, as opposed to printed, copies of the original text or of a version ...Manuscripts, Illuminated
I. ORIGIN A large number of manuscripts are covered with painted ornaments which may be ...Manuterge
The name given to the towel used by the priest when engaged liturgically. There are two kinds of ...Manutius, Aldus
(Aldo Manuzio). Scholar and printer; born in 1450, at Sermoneta, near Rome ; died in 1515. He ...Manzoni, Alessandro
Italian poet and novelist, b. at Milan, 7 March, 1785; d. 22 May, 1873. He was the son of Pietro ...Map, Walter
(Sometimes wrongly written M APS ) Archdeacon of Oxford, b. at, or in the vicinity of, ...Maphrian
The Syriac word mafriano signifies one who fructifies, a consecrator. It is used to designate ...Maréchal, Ambrose
The third Archbishop of Baltimore ; born at Ingres near Orléans, France, 28 August, ...Maran, Prudentius
A learned Benedictine of the Maurist Congregation, b. 14 October, 1683, at Sezanne, in the ...Marash
An Armenian Catholic Diocese. The ancient name of this village was most probably Germanicia, ...Maratta, Carlo
An Italian painter, b. at Camerino, in the Rome, 15 December, 1713. From very early years ...Marbodius
Bishop of Rennes, ecclesiastical writer and hymnologist, b. about 1035 at Angers, France, d. ...Marca, Pierre de
French bishop and scholar, b. at Gan in Béarn, 24 Jan., 1594, of a family distinguished ...Marcellian and Mark, Saints
Martyred at Rome under Diocletian towards the end of the third century, most likely in 286. ...Marcellina, Saint
The only sister of St. Ambrose of Milan , b. about 330-5; d. about 398. She was older than St. ...Marcellinus Comes
Latin chronicler of the sixth century. He was an Illyrian by birth, but spent his life at the ...Marcellinus of Civezza, O.F.M.
(In the world PITRO RANISE) Modern Franciscan author, born at Civezza in Liguria, Italy, 29 ...Marcellinus, Flavius
Date of birth unknown; died 12 September, 413. He was a high official ( tribunus et notarius ) ...Marcellinus, Pope
Date of birth unknown; elected 30 June, 296; died 304. According to the "Liber Pontificalis" he ...Marcello, Benedetto
Born in Venice in 1696; died at Brescia in July, 1739. Marcello's life was a strange mixture of ...Marcellus I, Saint, Pope
His date of birth unknown; elected pope in May or June, 308; died in 309. For some time after ...Marcellus II, Pope
(MARCELLO CERVINI DEGLI SPANNOCHI) Born 6 May, 1501, at Montepulciano in Tuscany ; died 6 ...Marcellus of Ancyra
One of the bishops present at the Councils of Ancyra and of Nicaea, a strong opponent of ...March, Auzias
A Catalan poet, b. perhaps in the last quarter of the fourteenth century, at Valencia ; d. there ...Marchand, Jean Baptiste
Second principal in order of succession of the Sulpician College of Montreal and missionary of ...Marchant, Peter
A theologian, b. at Couvin, a village in the principality of Liège, in 1585; d. at ...Marchesi, Pompeo
A Lombard sculptor of the neoclassic school, born at Saltrio, near Milan, 7 August, 1790; ...Marchi, Giuseppe
An archeologist, born at Tolmezzo near Udine, 22 Feb., 1795; died at Rome, 10 Feb., 1860. He ...Marcian
(M ARCIANUS, Markiânos ) Roman Emperor at Constantinople, b. in Thrace about 390; d. ...Marciane
A titular see of Lycia, suffragan of Myra. It figures in the "Notitiae episcopatuum" from ...Marcianopolis
A titular see in Lower Maesia, on the right bank of the Danube, so called by Trajan after his ...Marcionites
Heretical sect founded in A.D. 144 at Rome by Marcion and continuing in the West for 300 ...Marco Polo
Traveller; born at Venice in 1251; died there in 1324. His father Nicolo and his uncle Matteo, ...Marcopois
A titular see of Asia Minor, suffragan of Edessa. The native name of this city is not known, ...Marcosians
A sect of Valentinian Gnostics, founded by Marcus and combated at length by Irenaeus (Haer. ...Marcoux, Joseph
A missionary among the Iroquois, b. in Canada, 16 March, 1791; d. there 29 May, 1855. He was ...Marcus
The name of three leading Gnostics. I. The founder of the Marcosians and elder contemporary ...Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Roman Emperor, A.D. 161-180, born at Rome, 26 April, 121; died 17 March, 180. HIS EARLY LIFE ...Marcus Diadochus
( Markos ho diadochos ) An obscure writer of the fourth century of whom nothing is known but ...Marcus Eremita
( Markos ho eremites , or monachos , or asketes ). A theologian and ascetic writer ...Marcus, Pope Saint
Date of birth unknown; consecrated 18 Jan., 336; d. 7 Oct., 336. After the death of Pope ...Mardin
A residential Armenian archbishopric, a Chaldean bishopric, and a residential Syrian bishopric ...Marenco
(1) Carlo Italian dramatist, born at Cassolo (or Cassolnuovo) in Piedmont in 1800; died at ...Marenzio, Luca
Musical composer, born in 1550 at Coccaglia, near Brescia ; died at Rome 1599. His chief legacy ...Margaret Clitherow, Saint
Martyr, called the "Pearl of York", born about 1556; died 25 March 1586. She was a daughter of ...Margaret Colona, Blessed
Poor Clare, born in Rome, date uncertain; died there, 20 September, 1284. Her parents died in ...Margaret Haughery
Margaret Haughery, "the mother of the orphans ", as she was familiarly styled, b. in Cavan, ...Margaret Mary, Saint
Religious of the Visitation Order. Apostle of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, born ...Margaret of Cortona, Saint
A penitent of the Third Order of St. Francis, born at Laviano in Tuscany in 1247; died at ...Margaret of Hungary, Blessed
Daughter of King Bela I of Hungary and his wife Marie Laskaris, born 1242; died 18 Jan., 1271. ...Margaret of Lorraine, Blessed
Duchess d'Alencon, religious of the order of Poor Clares, born in 1463 at the castle of ...Margaret of Savoy, Blessed
Marchioness of Montferrat, born at Pignerol in 1382; died at Alba, 23 November, 1464. She was the ...Margaret of Scotland, Saint
Born about 1045, died 16 Nov., 1092, was a daughter of Edward "Outremere", or "the Exile", by ...Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament
Carmelite nun, b. in Paris, 6 March, 1590; d. there 24 May, 1660. She was the second daughter of ...Margaret Pole, Blessed
Countess of Salisbury, martyr ; b. at Castle Farley, near Bath, 14 August, 1473; martyred at ...Margaret, Saint
Virgin and martyr ; also called M ARINA ; belonged to Pisidian Antioch in Asia Minor, where ...Margaritae
(DECRETI DECRETORUM DECRETALIUM). The canonists of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries who ...Margil, Antonio
Born at Valencia, Spain, 18 August, 1657; died at Mexico, 6 Aug., 1726. He entered the ...Margotti, Giacomo
A Catholic publicist, born 11 May, 1823; died 6 May, 1887. He was a native of San Remo, where ...Maria de Agreda
(Or, according to her conventual title, Maria of Jesus) A discalced Franciscan nun ; born ...Maria Theresa
Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, Roman-German Empress, born 1717; died ...Maria-Laach
(Abbatia Beatæ Marle Virginis ad lacum, or Beatæ Marle lacensis) A Benedictine ...Mariales, Kantes
A Dominican, born about 1580; died at Venice in April, 1660. He was of a noble Venetian ...Marian Priests
This term is applied to those English priests who being ordained in or before the reign of ...Mariana
Archdiocese of Mariana (Marianensis). Mariana, situated in the centre of Minas Geraes, the ...Mariana Islands
The Marianas Archipelago (also called the Ladrone Islands) is a chain of fifteen islands in the ...Mariana, Juan
Author and Jesuit, b. at Talavern, Toledo, Spain, probably in April, 1536; d. at Toledo, 16 ...Mariannhill, Congregation of the Missionaries of
Mariannhill is located in Natal, near Pinetown, 15 miles from Durban, and 56 from ...Marianus of Florence
A Friar Minor and historian, born at Florence about the middle of the fifteenth century, exact ...Marianus Scotus
There were two Irish scholars of this name who attained distinction in the eleventh century. Both ...Marie Antoinette
Queen of France. Born at Vienna, 2 November, 1755; executed in Paris, 16 October, 1793. She was ...Marie Christine of Savoy, Blessed
Born at Cagliari, Sardinia, 14 November, 1812; died at Naples, 31 January, 1836. She was the ...Marie de France
A French poetess of the twelfth century. She has this trait in common with the other ...Marie de l'Incarnation, Blessed
Known also as Madame Acarie, foundress of the French Carmel, born in Paris, 1 February, 1566; died ...Marie de l'Incarnation, Venerable
(In the world, MARIE GUYARD). First superior of the Ursulines of Quebec , born at Tours, ...Marienberg
A Benedictine abbey of the Congregation of St. Joseph near Mals, Tyrol (in Vintschau). The ...Marignolli, Giovanni de'
Born at Florence about 1290; place and date of death unknown. When quite a youth he received the ...Marina
(DE MARINIS) The name of an ancient and noble family of the Republic of Genoa, distinguished ...Marina, Saint
Virgin and martyr ; also called M ARINA ; belonged to Pisidian Antioch in Asia Minor, where ...Marini, Luigi Gaetano
A natural philosopher, jurist, historian, archeologist, born at Sant' Orcangelo (pagus ...Marinus I, Pope
(882-884) There is reason for believing that Marinus I was elected on the very day of the ...Marinus II, Pope
Reigned 942-946; died in April or May, 946. A Roman, and a cardinal of the title of St. ...Mariotte, Edme
French physicist, b. at Dijon, France, about 1620; d. at Paris, 12 May, 1684. His residence was ...Maris, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum, Saints
All martyred at Rome in 270. Maris and his wife Martha, who belonged to the Persian nobility, ...Marisco, Adam de
(or ADAM MARSH) A Franciscan who probably came from the county of Somerset, but the date ...Mariscotti, Saint Hyacintha
A religious of the Third Order of St. Francis and foundress of the Sacconi; born 1585 of a noble ...Marius Aventicus, Saint
(Or AVENTICENSIS) Bishop of Avenches (Switzerland) and chronicler, born about 530 in the ...Marius Maximus, Lucius Perpetuus Aurelianus
Roman historian, lived c. 165-230. No connected account of his life exists, but he is frequently ...Marius Mercator
Ecclesiastical writer, born probably in Northern Africa about 390; died shortly after 451. In 417 ...Mark and Marcellian, Saints
Martyred at Rome under Diocletian towards the end of the third century, most likely in 286. ...Mark of Lisbon
(Properly MARCOS DA SILVA). Friar minor, historian, and Bishop of Oporto in Portugal, b. at ...Mark, Gospel of
The subject will be treated under the following heads: I. Contents, Selection and Arrangement of ...Mark, Pope Saint
Date of birth unknown; consecrated 18 Jan., 336; d. 7 Oct., 336. After the death of Pope ...Mark, Saint
(Greek Markos , Latin Marcus ). It is assumed in this article that the individual ...Maroni, Paul
Missionary, b. 1 Nov., 1695. He entered the Austrian province of the Jesuits on 27 Oct., 1712, ...Maronia
A titular see in the province of Rhodopis, suffragan of Trajanopolis. The town is an ancient ...Maronites
This article will give first the present state of the Maronite nation and Church ; after which ...Marquesas Islands
(INSULARUM MARCHESI) Located in Polynesia, includes all the Marquesas Islands, eleven in ...Marquette (Michigan)
(SAULT STE. MARIE and MARQUETTE, MARIANOPOLITANA ET MARQUETTENSIS) The Diocese comprises the ...Marquette League
A society founded in New York, in May, 1904, by Rev. H.G. Ganss, of Lancaster, Pa., with a ...Marquette University
Marquette University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an outgrowth of Marquette College, which was ...Marquette, Jacques
Jesuit missionary and discoverer of the Mississippi River, b. in 1636, at Laon, a town in north ...Marriage Banns
(Latin bannum , pl. bann-a,-i from an Old English verb, bannan , to summon). In ...Marriage, Civil
"Marriage", says Bishop, "as distinguished from the agreement to marry and from the act of ...Marriage, History of
The word marriage may be taken to denote the action, contract, formality, or ceremony by which ...Marriage, Mixed
(Latin Matrimonia mixta ). Technically, mixed marriages are those between Catholics and ...Marriage, Moral and Canonical Aspect of
Marriage is that individual union through which man and woman by their reciprocal rights ...Marriage, Mystical
In the Old and the New Testament , the love of God for man, and, in particular His relations ...Marriage, Putative
Putative (Latin, putativus supposed) signifies that which is commonly thought, reputed, or ...Marriage, Ritual of
The form for the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony, as it stands in the "Rituale Romanum" ...Marriage, Sacrament of
That Christian marriage (i.e. marriage between baptized persons ) is really a sacrament of ...Marriage, Validation of
Validation of marriage may be effected by a simple renewal of consent when its nullity arises ...Marryat, Florence
Novelist and actress, b. 9 July, 1838, at Brighton, England ; d. 27 October 1899, in London, ...Marseilles
Diocese of Marseilles (Massiliensis), suffragan of Aix, comprises the district of Marseilles in ...Marshall Islands
(Vicariate Apostolic.) These islands, a German possession since 1885, lying in the Pacific ...Marshall, Thomas William
Controversial writer, b. 1818; d. at Surbiton, Surrey, 14 Dec., 1877. He was son of John Marshall, ...Marsi
(MARSORUM.) Diocese in the province of Aquila, Central Italy, with its seat at Pescina. With ...Marsico Nuovo and Potenza
(MARSICENSIS ET POTENTINA) Suffragan diocese of Salerno. Marsico Nuevo is a city of the ...Marsigli, Luigi Ferdinando, Count de
Italian geographer and naturalist, b. at Bologna 10 July, 1658; d. at Bologna 1 Nov., 1730. He ...Marsilius of Padua
Physician and theologian, b. at Padua about 1270; d. about 1342. Contrary to the assertion of ...Martène, Edmond
An historian and liturgist, born 22 December, 1654, at Saint-Jean-de-Losne near Dijon ; died 20 ...Martín, Enrico
Date and place of birth unknown; d. in Mexico in 1632. According to some he was of Spanish ...Martel, Charles
Born about 688; died at Quierzy on the Oise, 21 October, 741. He was the natural son of Pepin of ...Martha, Maris, Audifax, and Abachum, Saints
All martyred at Rome in 270. Maris and his wife Martha, who belonged to the Persian nobility, ...Martha, Saint
Mentioned only in Luke 10:38-42 ; and John 11, 12, sqq. The Aramaic form occurs in a ...Martial, Saint
Bishop of Limoges in the third century. We have no accurate information as to the origin, ...Martiall, John
(Or MARSHALL) Born in Worcestershire 1534, died at Lille, 3 April, 1597. He was one of the six ...Martianay, Jean
Born 30 Dec., 1647, at Saint-Sever-Cap, Diocese of Aire ; died 16 June, 1717, at Saint ...Martianus Capella
Roman writer of Africa who flourished in the fifth century. His work is entitled: "De nuptiis ...Martigny, Joseph-Alexander
Canon of Belley, archaeologist; b. at Sauverny, Ain, in 1808; d at Belley, 19 August, 1880. He ...Martin
Benedictine Abbot of the Schottenkloster of Vienna, b. about 1400; d. 28 July, 1464 (29 July ...Martin I, Pope Saint
Martyr, born at Todi on the Tiber, son of Fabricius ; elected Pope at Rome, 21 July, 649, to ...Martin II, Pope
Reigned 942-946; died in April or May, 946. A Roman, and a cardinal of the title of St. ...Martin IV, Pope
(Simon de Brie). Born at the castle of Montpensier in the old French province of Touraine at ...Martin of Braga
(Bracara; or, of Dumio). Bishop and ecclesiastical writer; b. about 520 in Pannonia; d. in ...Martin of Leon, Saint
A priest and canon regular of the Augustinians ; b. at Leon in Spain ( Old Castile ) before ...Martin of Tours, Saint
Bishop; born at Sabaria (today Steinamanger in German, or Szombathely in Hungarian ), Pannonia ...Martin of Troppau
A chronicler, date of birth unknown; died 1278. His family name was Strebski, and, being by ...Martin of Valencia, O.F.M.
(Juan Martin de Boil) Born at Villa de Valencia, Spain, about the middle of the fifteenth ...Martin V, Pope
(Oddone Colonna) Born at Genazzano in the Campagna di Roma, 1368; died at Rome, 20 Feb., 1431. ...Martin y Garcia, Luis
Twenty-fourth General of the Society of Jesus ; born of humble parentage at Melgar de ...Martin, Felix
Antiquary, historiographer, architect, educationist, b. 4 October, 1804, at Auray, seat of the ...Martin, Gregory
Translator of the Douai Version of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate ; b. in Maxfield, parish ...Martin, Konrad
Bishop of Paderborn ; b. 18 May, 1812, at Geismar, Province of Saxony ; d. 16 July, 1879, at ...Martin, Paulin
French Biblical scholar, born at Lacam, Lot, 20 July 1840; died at Amélie-les-Bains, ...Martina, Saint
Roman virgin, martyred in 226, according to some authorities, more probably in 228, under the ...Martini, Antonio
Archbishop of Florence, Biblical scholar; b. at Prato in Tuscany, 20 April, 1720; d. at ...Martini, Martino
(Chinese name Wei ). Distinguished Austrian Jesuit missionary to the Chinese, in the ...Martini, Simone
(Also known as SIMONE DI MARTINO, and as SIMONE MEMMI). Sienese painter, born in Siena, 1283; ...Martinian and Processus, Saints
The dates of these martyrs are unknown. The "Martyrologium Hieronymianum" (ed. De ...Martinique
(SANCTI PETRI ET ARCIS GALLICAÆ) Diocese ; Martinique is one of the French Lesser ...Martinov, John
Born 7 October, 1821; died 26 April, 1894. Having passed through his university course at St. ...Martinsberg
(Or P ANNONHALMA ) An important Benedictine abbey in Hungary about fourteen English miles ...Martinuzzi, George
Monk, bishop, cardinal, b. at Kamicac, Dalmatia, 1482; d. 16 December, 1551. His real name was ...Martyr
The Greek word martus signifies a witness who testifies to a fact of which he has knowledge ...Martyr d'Anghiera, Peter
Historian of Spain and of the discoveries of her representatives, b. at Arona, near Anghiera, on ...Martyrology
By martyrology is understood a catalogue of martyrs and saints arranged according to the ...Martyropolis
A titular see, suffragan of Amida in the Province of Mesopotamia or Armenia Quarta. It was ...Martyrs in China
The first Christian martyrs in China appear to have been the missionaries of Ili Bâliq ...Martyrs, Acts of the
In a strict sense the Acts of the Martyrs are the official records of the trials of early ...Martyrs, Japanese
There is not in the whole history of the Church a single people who can offer to the ...Martyrs, The Ten Thousand
On two days is a group of ten thousand martyrs mentioned in the Roman Martyrology. On 18 March: ...Maruthas, Saint
Bishop of Tagrit or Maypherkat in Mesopotamia, friend of St. John Chrysostom , d. before 420. ...Mary Anne de Paredes, Blessed
Born at Quito, Ecuador, 31 Oct. 1618; died at Quito, 26 May, 1645. On both sides of her family ...Mary de Cervellione
(or DE CERVELLO) Popularly styled "de Socos" (of Help). Born about 1230 at Barcelona ; ...Mary de Sales Chappuis, Venerable
(MARIE-THÉRÈSE CHAPPUIS) Belonging to the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, ...Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Jesus, Saint
Of the Third Order of St. Francis , b. at Naples, 25 March, 1715; d. there, 6 October, 1791. ...Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi, Saint
Carmelite Virgin, born 2 April, 1566; died 25 May, 1607. Of outward events there were very few in ...Mary Magdalen, Saint
Mary Magdalen was so called either from Magdala near Tiberias, on the west shore of Galilee, or ...Mary of Cleophas
This title occurs only in John, xix, 25. A comparison of the lists of those who stood at the foot ...Mary of Egypt, Saint
Born probably about 344; died about 421. At the early age of twelve Mary left her home and came to ...Mary of Romans 16:6
Unknown outside of this single verse ( omans 16:6 ). She had "laboured much among" the Roman ...Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Stuart, born at Linlithgow, 8 December, 1542; died at Fotheringay, 8 February, 1587. She was ...Mary Tudor
Queen of England from 1553 to 1558; born 18 February, 1516; died 17 November, 1558. Mary was the ...Mary, Blessed Virgin, The
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, the mother of God. In general, the ...Mary, Children of
The Sodality of Children of Mary Immaculate owes its origin to the manifestation of the Virgin ...Mary, Devotion to the Heart of
As in the article on Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus , this subject will be considered ...Mary, Devotion to the Virgin
Down to the Council of Nicaea Devotion to Our Blessed Lady in its ultimate analysis must be ...Mary, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The earliest document commemorating this feast comes from the sixth century. St.Romanus, the ...Mary, Little Brothers of
Generally known as Marist School Brothers. This religious teaching institute is modern in its ...Mary, Missionaries of the Company of
The Company of Mary was founded by Blessed Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort in 1713. As early as ...Mary, Mother of John Mark
Mary, the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark ( Acts 12:12 ). We know nothing of her; but from ...Mary, Name of
(In Scripture and in Catholic use) New Testament, Mariam and sometimes Maria — ...Mary, Name of
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, the mother of God. The Hebrew ...Mary, Society of (Marist Fathers)
(Initials S.M.) A religious order of priests, so called on account of the special devotion ...Mary, Society of, of Paris
This society was founded in 1817 by Very Reverend William Joseph Chaminade at Bordeaux, France. ...Mary, Tomb of the Blessed Virgin
The tomb of the Blessed Virgin is venerated in the Valley of Cedron, near Jerusalem. Modern ...Maryland
One of the thirteen English colonies which after the Revolution of 1776 became the original States ...Masaccio
(T OMMASO ). Italian painter, born about 1402, at San Giovanni di Valdarno, a stronghold ...Mascoutens Indians
A Wisconsin tribe of Algonquian stock of considerable missionary importance in the seventeenth ...Masolino da Panicale
Son of Cristoforo Fini; b. in the suburb of Panicale di Valdese, near Florence, 1383; d. c. 1440. ...Mason, Richard Angelus a S. Francisco
English — or Irish — Franciscan writer; b. in Wiltshire, 1599; d. at Douai, 30 ...Masonry
The subject is treated under the following heads: I. Name and Definition;II. Origin and Early ...Maspha
Name of several places in the Bible . The Septuagint transcribes Masphá, Massephá, ...Massé, Enemond
One of the first Jesuits sent to New France ; born at Lyons, 1574; died at Sillery, l2 May, ...Mass, Chapter and Conventual
As a general rule, churches in which the Divine office is to be said publicly every day must also ...Mass, Liturgy of the
A. Name and Definition The Mass is the complex of prayers and ceremonies that make up the ...Mass, Music of the
Under this heading will be considered exclusively the texts of the Mass (and not, therefore, the ...Mass, Nuptial
"Missa pro sponso et sponsa", the last among the votive Masses in the Missal. It is composed of ...Mass, Parochial
The parish is established to provide the parishioners with the helps of religion, especially ...Mass, Sacrifice of the
The word Mass ( missa ) first established itself as the general designation for the ...Massa Candida
Under the date 24 August, the "Martyrologium Romanum" records this commemoration: At Carthage, ...Massa Carrara
DIOCESE OF MASSA CARRARA (MASSENSIS). Diocese in Central Italy (Lunigiana and Garfagnana). ...Massa Marittima
(MASSANA) Massa Marittima, in the Province of Grosseto, in Tuscany, first mentioned in the ...Massachusetts
One of the thirteen original United States of America . The Commonwealth of Massachusetts covers ...Massacre, Saint Bartholomew's Day
This massacre of which Protestants were the victims occurred in Paris on 24 August, 1572 (the ...Massaia, Guglielmo
A Cardinal, born 9 June, 1809, at Piova in Piedmont, Italy ; died at Cremona, 6 August, 1889. ...Masses, Bequests for
"The efficacy of prayers for the dead ", remarks the Court of Appeals of the State of New York ...Masses, Bequests for (Canada)
The law governing bequests, being concerned with "property and civil rights ", falls within ...Masses, Bequests for (England)
Before the Reformation dispositions of property, whether real or personal, for the purposes of ...Masses, Devises and Bequests for (United States)
Prior to the period of the Reformation in England in 1532, Masses for the repose of the souls ...Massillon, Jean-Baptiste
A celebrated French preacher and bishop ; born 24 June, 1663; died 28 September, 1742. The son ...Massorah
The textual tradition of Hebrew Bible, an official registration of its words, consonants, vowels ...Massoulié, Antoine
Theologian, born at Toulouse, 28 Oct., 1632; died at Rome, 23 Jan., 1706. At an early age he ...Massuet, René
Benedictine patrologist, of the Congregation of St. Maur; born 13 August, 1666, at St. Ouen de ...Massys, Quentin
(MESSYS, METZYS) A painter, born at Louvain in 1466; died at Antwerp in 1530 (bet. 13 July ...Master of Arts
An academic degree higher than that of Bachelor. The conferring of the degree of Master of Arts, ...Master of Liesborn, The
A Westphalian painter, who in 1465 executed an altar-piece of note in the Benedictine monastery ...Master of the Sacred Palace
This office (which has always been entrusted to a Friar Preacher) may briefly be described as ...Mastrius, Bartholomew
Franciscan, philosopher and theologian, born near Forli, at Meldola, Italy, in 1602; died 3 ...Mataco Indians
(Or Mataguayo). A group of wide tribes of very low culture, ranging over a great part of the ...Mater
A titular bishopric in the province of Byzantium, mentioned as a free city by Pliny under the ...Materialism
As the word itself signifies, Materialism is a philosophical system which regards matter as the ...Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Feast of the
Second Sunday in October. The object of this feast is to commemorate the dignity of the Mary ...Mathathias
The name of ten persons of the Bible , variant in both Hebrew and Greek of Old Testament and in ...Mathew, Theobald
Apostle of Temperance, born at Thomastown Castle, near Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland, 10 October, ...Mathieu, François-Désiré
Bishop and cardinal, born 27 May, 1839; died 26 October, 1908. Born of humble family at ...Mathusala
One of the Hebrew patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 5. The word is variously given as Mathusale ...Matilda of Canossa
Countess of Tuscany, daughter and heiress of the Marquess Boniface of Tuscany, and Beatrice, ...Matilda, Saint
Queen of Germany, wife of King Henry I (The Fowler), b. at the Villa of Engern in Westphalia, ...Matilda, Saint
(MATILDA VON HACKEBORN-WIPPRA). Benedictine; born in 1240 or 1241 at the ancestral castle of ...Matins
I. NAME The word "Matins" ( Latin Matutinum or Matutinae ), comes from Matuta , the Latin ...Matricula
A term having several meanings in the field of Christian antiquity. (1) The word is applied ...Matteo da Siena
(Matteo di Giovanni di Bartolo). Painter, born at Borgo San Sepolcro, c. 1435; died 1495. His ...Matteo di Termini
(Matteo Di Termini), born in the first half of the thirteenth century, at Termini, a village of ...Matteo of Aquasparta
A celebrated Italian Franciscan, born at Aquasparta in the Diocese of Todi , Umbria, about ...Matter
(Greek hyle ; Latin materia ; French matière ; German materie and stoff ), ...Matteucci, Carlo
Physicist, born at Forli, in the Romagna, 21 June, 1811; died at Ardenza, near Leghorn, 25 July, ...Matthew of Bassi
Founder and first Superior-General of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins, the principal branch ...Matthew of Cracow
Renowned scholar and preacher of the fourteenth century, b. at Cracow about 1335, d. at Pisa, 5 ...Matthew, Gospel of Saint
I. CANONICITY The earliest Christian communities looked upon the books of the Old Testament as ...Matthew, Saint
Apostle and evangelist. The name Matthew is derived from the Hebrew Mattija , being ...Matthew, Sir Tobie
English priest, born at Salisbury, 3 October, 1577, died at Ghent, 13 October, 1655. He was the ...Matthias Corvinus
King of Hungary, son of Janos Hunyady and Elizabeth Szilagyi of Horogssey, was born at ...Matthias of Neuburg
Also NEUENBURG (NEOBURGENSIS). Chronicler, born towards the close of the thirteenth century, ...Matthias, Saint
Apostle. The Greek Matthias (or, in some manuscripts, Maththias ), is a name derived ...Maundy Thursday
The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist ...Maunoury, Auguste-François
Hellenist and exegete, b. at Champsecret, Orne, France, 30 Oct., 1811; d. at Séez, ...Maurice
(Matricius, Maurikios ). Roman Emperor, born in 539; died in November, 602. He sprang from ...Maurice, Saint
Leader ( primicerius ) of the Theban Legion, massacred at Agaunum, about 287 (286, 297, 302, ...Maurists, The
A congregation of Benedictine monks in France, whose history extends from 1618 to 1818. It ...Maurus Magnentius Rabanus, Blessed
( Also Hrabanus, Reabanus). Abbot of Fulda, Archbishop of Mainz, celebrated theological ...Maurus, Saint
Deacon, son of Equitius, a nobleman of Rome, but claimed also by Fondi, Gallipoli, Lavello ...Maurus, Sylvester
Writer on philosophy and theology, b. at Spoleto, 31 Dec., 1619; d. in Rome, 13 Jan., 1687. He ...Maury, Jean-Siffrein
Cardinal and statesman, born at Valréas, near Avignon, 26 June, 1746; died at Rome on ...Maxentius, Joannes
Joannes Maxentius, leader of the so-called Scythian monks, appears in history at Constantinople ...Maxentius, Marcus Aurelius
Roman Emperor 306-12, son of the Emperor Maximinianus Herculius and son-in-law of the chief ...Maxfield, Venerable Thomas
( Vere Macclesfield) English priest and martyr, b. in Stafford gaol, about 1590, martyred ...Maximianopolis
A titular see of Palestina Secunda, suffragan of Scythopolis. Its ancient name, Adad-Remmon, ...Maximianus
(MARCUS AURELIUS VALERIUS MAXIMIANUS, surnamed HERCULIUS.) Roman Emperor, was adopted by ...Maximilian
The name of several martyrs. (1) Maximilian of Antioch A soldier, martyred at Antioch, Jan. ...Maximilian I
Duke of Bavaria, 1598-1622, Elector of Bavaria and Lord High Steward of the Holy Roman Empire, ...Maximinus Thrax
Roman Emperor 235-8, son of a Goth and an Alanic mother. When the Emperor Septimius Severus was ...Maximinus, Caius Valerius Daja
Under his uncle Augustus Galerius, the Caesar of Syria and Egypt, from the year 305; in 307 ...Maximinus, Saint
Bishop of Trier, b. at Silly near Poitiers, d. there, 29 May, 352 or 12 Sept., 349. He was ...Maximopolis
A titular see of Arabia, suffragan of Bostra. The true name of the city is Maximianopolis, and ...Maximus of Constantinople, Saint
Known as the Theologian and as Maximus Confessor , born at Constantinople about 580; died in ...Maximus of Turin, Saint
Bishop and theological writer, b. probably in Rhaetia, about 380; d. shortly after 465. Only ...Maxwell, William
Fifth Earl of Nithsdale (Lord Nithsdale signed as Nithsdaill) and fourteenth Lord Maxwell, b. in ...Maxwell, Winifred
Countess of Nithsdale, d. at Rome, May, 1749. She was the daughter of William, first Marquis of ...Maya Indians
The most important of the cultured native peoples of North America, both in the degree of their ...Mayer, Christian
Moravian astronomer, born at Mederizenhi in Moravia, 20 Aug., 1719, died at Heidelberg, 16 ...Mayhew, Edward
Born in 1569; died 14 September, 1625. He belonged to the old English family of Mayhew or Mayow of ...Mayne, Blessed Cuthbert
Martyr, b. at Yorkston, near Barnstaple, Devonshire ( baptized 20 March, 1543-4); d. at ...Maynooth College
The National College of Saint Patrick, at Maynooth in County Kildare, about twelve miles from ...Mayo Indians
An important tribe occupying some fifteen towns on Mayo and Fuerte rivers, southern Sonora and ...Mayo, School of
(Irish Magh Eo , which means, according to Colgan, the Plain of the Oaks, and, according to ...Mayor, John
(MAJOR, MAIR; also called JOANNES MAJORIS and HADDINGTONUS SCOTUS) A Scotch philosopher and ...Mayoruna Indians
A noted and savage tribe of Panoan linguistic stock, ranging the forests between the Ucayali, the ...Mayotte, Nossi-Bé, and Comoro
PREFECTURE APOSTOLIC OF MAYOTTE, NOSSI-BE, AND COMORO (MAYOTTÆ, NOSSIBEÆ, ET ...Mayr, Beda
A Bavarian Benedictine philosopher, apologist, and poet, b. 15 January, 1742 at Daiting near ...Mayron, Francis
(DE MAYRONIS) Born about 1280, probably at Mayronnes, Department of Basses-Alpes, he entered ...Mazarin, Jules
Born either at Rome or at Piscina in the Abruzzi, of a very old Sicilian family, 14 July, 1602; ...Mazatec Indians
An important Mexican tribe of Zapotecan linguistic stock, occupying the mountain region of ...Mazenod, Charles Joseph Eugene de
Bishop of Marseilles, and founder of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, b. at ...Mazzara del Vallo
DIOCESE OF MAZZARA DEL VALLO (MAZARIENSIS). The city is situated in the province of Trepani, ...Mazzella, Camillo
Theologian and cardinal, born at Vitulano, 10 Feb., 1833; d. at Rome, 26 March, 1900. He ...Mazzolini, Lodovico
(Also known as MAZZOLINI DA FERRARA, LODOVICO FERRARESA, and IL FERRARESE) Italian painter, b. ...Mazzolini, Sylvester
(M OZOLINI, also P RIERIAS ) Theologian, b. at Priero, Piedmont, 1460; d. at Rome, ...Mazzuchelli, Pietro Francesco
(Also known as IL MORAZZONE, MARAZZONE, and MORANZONE). Milanese painter, b. at Moranzone near ...Mb 1
Mb 1
Mbaya Indians
(Guaycurü) A predatory tribe formerly ranging on both sides of the Paraguay River, on the ...Mc 11
Mc 11
McCabe, Edward
Cardinal, born in Dublin, 1816; died at Kingstown, 11 February, 1885; he was the son of poor ...McCarthy, Justin
Irish politician, journalist, novelist, and historian, b. at Cork, 22 Nov., 1830; d. at ...McCloskey, William George
Bishop of Louisville, Kentucky, b. at Brooklyn, N.Y., 10 Nov., 1823; d. 17 September, 1909. He ...McGee, Thomas D'Arcy
An editor, politician, and poet, born at Carlingford, Co. Louth, Ireland, 13 April, 1825; ...McLoughlin, John
Physician and pioneer, born in the parish of La Riviere du Loup, Canada, 19 October, 1784; died ...McMahon, Martin Thomas
Soldier, jurist; born at Laprairie, Canada, 21 March, 1838; died in New York, 21 April, 1906. His ...McMaster, James Alphonsus
An editor, convert, born at Duanesburg, New York, U. S. A., 1 April, 1820; died in Brooklyn, New ...McQuaid, Bernard John
The first Bishop of Rochester, U. S. A.; born in New York City, 15 December, 1823; died at ...McSherry, James Jr.
Jurist, son of the author James McSherry ; born at Frederick, Maryland, 30 December, 1842; died ...McSherry, James Sr.
Author; born at LibertyTown, Frederick County, Maryland, 29 July, 1819; died at Frederick City, ...McSherry, Richard
Physician; born at Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia ), 21 November, 1817; died ...Me 153
Me 153
Meagher, Thomas Francis
Soldier, politician, b. at Waterford, Ireland, 3 August, 1823; accidentally drowned in the ...Meath
(MIDENSIS). Diocese in Ireland, suffragan of Armagh. In extent it is the largest diocese in ...Meaux
(Melsa). A Cistercian abbey about four miles east of Beverley in the East Riding of ...Meaux, Diocese of
(MELDENSIS.) Meaux comprises the entire department of Seine and Marne, suffragan of Sens ...Mecca
Mecca, the capital of Arabia and the sacred city of the Mohammedans, is situated in the district ...Mechanism
There is no constant meaning in the history of philosophy for the word Mechanism. Originally, ...Mechitar
(MECHITHAR, MEKHITAR, MCHITAR or MOCHTOR, a word which means "Comforter") Mechitar is the name ...Mechitarists
Armenian Benedictines, founded by Mechitar in 1712. In its inception the order was looked upon ...Mechlin
( Latin MECHLINIA; French MALINES; MECHLINIENSIS). Archdiocese comprising the two Belgian ...Mechtel, Johann
Chronicler; b. 1562 at Pfalzel near Trier (Germany); d. after 1631, perhaps as late as 1653 at ...Mechtild of Magdeburg
A celebrated medieval mystic, b. of a noble family in Saxony about 1210; d. at the ...Mechtilde, Saint
(MATILDA VON HACKEBORN-WIPPRA). Benedictine; born in 1240 or 1241 at the ancestral castle of ...Mecklenburg
A division of the German Empire, consists of the two Grand Duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and ...Medaille, Jean Paul
Jesuit missionary; b. at Carcassonne, the capital of the Department of Aude, France, 29 ...Medal of Saint Benedict
A medal, originally a cross, dedicated to the devotion in honour of St. Benedict. One ...Medal, Miraculous
The devotion commonly known as that of the Miraculous Medal owes its origin to Zoe Labore, a ...Medals, Devotional
A medal may be defined to be a piece of metal, usually in the form of a coin, not used as money, ...Medardus, Saint
Bishop of Noyon, b. at Salency (Oise) about 456; d. in his episcopal city 8 June, about 545. His ...Medea
A titular see of Thrace, suffragan of Heraclea. This name and the modern name (Midieh) are ...Medellín
(MEDELLENSIS). Archdiocese in the Republic of Colombia, Metropolitan of Antioquia and ...Media and Medes
( Medía, Mêdoi ). An ancient country of Asia and the inhabitants thereof. The ...Mediator (Christ as Mediator)
The subject will be treated under the following heads: (1) Definition of the word mediator; (2) ...Medices, Hieronymus
(DE MEDICIS) Illustrious as a scholastic of acumen and penetration, b. at Camerino in ...Medici, Catherine de'
Born 13 April, 1519; died 5 January, 1589. She was the daughter of Lorenzo de' Medici (II), Duke ...Medici, House of
A Florentine family, the members of which, having acquired great wealth as bankers, rose in a ...Medici, Maria de'
Queen of France ; b. at Florence, 26 April, 1573; d. at Cologne, 3 July, 1642. She was a ...Medicine and Canon Law
In the early centuries the practice of medicine by clerics, whether secular or regular, was not ...Medicine, History of
The history of medical science, considered as a part of the general history of civilization, ...Medina, Bartholomew
Dominican theologian, b. at Medina, 1527; d. at Salamanca, 1581. With Dominico Soto , Melchior ...Medina, Juan de
Theologian ; born 1490; died 1547; he occupied the first rank among the theologians of the ...Medina, Miguel de
Theologian, born at Belalcazar, Spain, 1489; died at Toledo, May, 1578. He entered the Franciscan ...Medrano, Francisco
A Spanish lyric poet, b. in Seville, not to be confounded with Sebastian Francisco de Medrano ...Medulic, Andras
A Croatian painter and engraver, called by Italian authors Medola, Medula, Schiavone, Schiaon, ...Meehan, Charles Patrick
Irish historical writer and translator, b. in Dublin, 12 July, 1812; d. there 14 March 1890. ...Megara
A titular see, suffragan to Corinth, in Achaia. The city, which was built on an arid strip of ...Megarians
The Megarian School is one of the imperfectly Socratic Schools, so called because they developed ...Mehrerau
Formerly a Benedictine, now a Cistercian Abbey ; situated on Lake Constance, west of Bregenz, in ...Meignan, Guillaume-René
Cardinal Archbishop of Tours, French apologist and Scriptural exegete, b. at Chauvigné, ...Meilleur, Jean-Baptiste
French Canadian physician and educator, b. at St. Laurent, P.Q., 9 May, 1796; d. 7 Dec., 1878. He ...Meinwerk, Blessed
Tenth Bishop of Paderborn, d. 1036: Meinwerk (Meginwerk) was born of the noble family of the ...Meissen
A former see of north-east Germany. The present city of Meissen, situated in the Kingdom of ...Meissonier, Ernest
French painter, b. at Lyons 21 February, 1815; d. at Paris, 31 January, 1891. If the Lyonese ...Meléndez Valdés, Juan
Spanish poet and politician, b. at Ribera del Fresno (Badajoz) 11 March, 1754; d. in exile at ...Melancthon, Philipp
Collaborator and friend of Luther, born at Bretten (in Unterpfalz, now Baden ), 16 February, ...Melania (the Younger), Saint
Born at Rome, about 383; died in Jerusalem, 31 December, 439. She was a member of the famous ...Melbourne
Archdiocese of Melbourne (Melburnen) Located in the state of Victoria, Southeastern ...Melchers, Paul
Cardinal, Archbishop of Cologne, b. 6 Jan., 1813, at Münster, Westphalia ; d. 14 ...Melchisedech
[Gr. Melchisedek , from the Hebrew meaning "King of righteousness (Gesenius)] was King of ...Melchisedechians
A branch of the Monarchians, founded by Theodotus the banker. (See MONARCHIANS.) Another quite ...Melchites
(Melkites). ORIGIN AND NAME Melchites are the people of Syria, Palestine, and Egypt who ...Meletius of Antioch
Bishop, b. in Melitene, Lesser Armenia ; d. at Antioch, 381. Before occupying the see of ...Meletius of Lycopolis
Meletius, Bishop of Lycopolis in Egypt, gave his name to a schism of short duration. There ...Melfi and Rapolla
DIOCESE OF MELFI AND RAPOLLA (MELPHIENSIS ET RAPOLLENSIS) Diocese in the province of Potenza, ...Meli, Giovanni
Sicilian poet, b. at Palermo, 4 March, 1740, d. 20 Dec., 1815. He was the son of a goldsmith of ...Melia, Pius
Italian theologian, b. at Rome, 12 Jan., 1800; d. in London, June 1883. He entered the Society ...Melissus of Samos
A Greek philosopher, of the Eleatic School, b. at Samos about 470 B.C. It is probable that he ...Melitene
The residence of an Armenian Catholic see, also a titulary archbishopric. According to Pliny ...Melito, Saint
Bishop of Sardis, prominent ecclesiastical writer in the latter half of the second century. Few ...Melk, Abbey and Congregation of
(MOLCK, MELLICUM). Situated on an isolated rock commanding the Danube, Melk has been a noted ...Melkites
(Melkites). ORIGIN AND NAME Melchites are the people of Syria, Palestine, and Egypt who ...Melleray
(MELLEARIUM) Melleray, situated in Brittany (Loire-Inférieure), Diocese of Nantes, in ...Mellifont Abbey
Located three miles from Drogheda, Co. Louth, Diocese of Armagh, it was the first Cistercian ...Mellitus, Saint
Bishop of London and third Archbishop of Canterbury, d. 24 April, 624. He was the leader of ...Melo
Located in Uruguay. It was decided in 1897 to erect two sees suffragan to Montevideo, one of ...Melos
A titular see, suffragan of Naxos in the Cyclades. The name seems to have been derived from a ...Melozzo da Forlí
An Italian painter of the Umbrian School, b. at Forlì, 1438; d. there 1494. Lanzi's ...Melrose Abbey
The Abbey of Melrose, located in in Roxburghshire, founded in 1136 by King David I, was the ...Melrose, Chronicle of
(CHRONICA DE MAILROS) It opens with the year 735, ends abruptly in 1270, and is founded solely ...Melzi, Francesco
Born at Milan, about 1490; died 1568. He was a mysterious personage. He was a friend of Leonardo ...Memberton
Principal chief of the Micmac Indians of Nova Scotia at the time of the establishment of the ...Membre, Zenobius
Born 1645 at Bapaume, Department of Pas-de-Calais, France, he was a member of the Franciscan ...Memling, Hans
Flemish painter, b. about 1430-35; d. at Bruges 11 August, 1494. This date was discovered ...Memorial Brasses
Just when memorial brasses first came into use is not known; the earliest existing dated ...Memory
(Latin memoria ) Memory is the capability of the mind, to store up conscious processes, ...Memphis
Ancient capital of Egypt ; diocese of the province of Arcadia or Heptanomos, suffragan of ...Men of Understanding
(HOMINES INTELLIGENTIAE). Name assumed by a heretical sect which in 1410-11 was cited before ...Menéndez y Pelayo, Marcelino
Poet, historian and literary critic, b. at Santander, Spain, in 1856; d. at Santander in 1912. ...Mena, Juan de
Spanish poet, born 1411 at Cordova ; died 1456 at Torrelaguna. Prominent at the court of Juan II ...Menaion
( menaîon from mén, "month") The Menaion is the name of the twelve books, one ...Menas, Saint
Martyr under Diocletian, about 295. According to the Greek Acts published with Latin translation ...Mencius
(Latinized form of Chinese MENG-TZE, i.e. MENG THE SAGE). Philosopher, b. 371 or 372 B.C. He was ...Mendíburu, Manuel de
Born at Lima, 29 October, 1805; died 21 January, 1885. He was educated in the University of S. ...Mendaña de Neyra, Alvaro de
A Spanish navigator and explorer, born in Saragossa, 1541; died in Santa Cruz, Solomon ...Mende
(MIMATENSIS) This diocese includes the department of Lozère, in France. Suffragan of ...Mendel, Mendelism
Gregor Johann Mendel (the first name was taken on entrance to his order), b. 22 July, 1822, at ...Mendes de Silva, João
Better known as Amadeus of Portugal, b. 1420, d. at Milan, 1482, began his religious life in ...Mendicant Friars
Mendicant Friars are members of those religious orders which, originally, by vow of ...Mendieta, Jerónimo
A Spanish missionary; born at Vitoria, Spain, 1525; died in the City of Mexico, 9 May, 1604. ...Mendoza, Diego Hurtade de
A Spanish diplomat and writer, and one of the greatest figures in the history of Spanish ...Mendoza, Francisco Sarmiento de
A Spanish canonist and bishop ; b. of a noble family at Burgos ; d. 1595, at Jaén. ...Mendoza, Pedro Gonzalez de
Cardinal and Primate of Spain, b. at Guadalajara, 3 May, 1428; d. there, 11 January, 1495. He ...Meneses, Osorio Francisco
Spanish painter, b. at Seville, 1630; d. probably in the same place, 1705. It is extraordinary ...Menestrier, Claude-François
Antiquarian, b. at Lyons, 9 March, 1631; d. at Paris, 21 Jan., 1705. He inherited a taste for ...Menevia
(MENEVENSIS) Menevia is said to be derived from Menapia , the name of an ancient Roman ...Mengarini, Gregario
Pioneer missionary of the Flathead tribe and philologist of their language, b. in Rome, 21 July, ...Mengs, Anthon Rafael
A Bohemian painter, usually regarded as belonging to the Italian or Spanish school, b. at ...Mennas
Patriarch of Constantinople from 536 to 552. Early in 536 Pope St. Agapetus came to ...Mennonites
A Protestant denomination of Europe and America which arose in Switzerland in the sixteenth ...Menochio, Giovanni Stefano
Jesuit biblical scholar, b. at Padua, 1575; d. in Rome, 4 Feb., 1655. He entered the Society of ...Menologium
Although the word Menologium (in English also written Menology and Menologe) has been in some ...Menominee Indians
A considerable tribe of Algonquian linguistic stock, formerly ranging over north-eastern ...Mensa, Mensal Revenue
( Latin, Mensa, table). The Latin word mensa has for its primitive signification "a table ...Mensing, John
(MENSINGK) A theologian and celebrated opponent of Luther, born according to some at ...Mental Reservation
The name applied to a doctrine which has grown out of the common Catholic teaching about lying and ...Mentelin, Johannes
(MENTEL) Born c. 1410; died 12 Dec., 1478; an eminent German typographer of the fifteenth ...Menzini, Benedetto
Priest and poet, b. at Florence, 1646; d. at Rome, 7 Sept., 1704. His family being poor, he ...Mercadé, Eustache
French dramatic poet of the fifteenth century. The dates of his birth and death are not known. ...Mercedarians
(Order of Our Lady of Mercy). A congregation of men founded in 1218 by St. Peter Nolasco, born ...Mercier, Louis-Honoré
A French Canadian statesman, b. 15 October, 1840, at Ibervile, Quebec, of a family of farmers; ...Mercuriali, Geronimo
Better known by his Latin name Mercurialis; famous philologist and physician, b. at Forli, 30 ...Mercy, Brothers of Our Lady of
Founded at Mechlin in 1839 by Canon J.B. Cornelius Scheppers for the instruction and care of ...Mercy, Corporal and Spiritual Works of
Mercy as it is here contemplated is said to be a virtue influencing one's will to have ...Mercy, Sisters of
A congregation of women founded in Dublin, Ireland, in 1827, by Catherine Elizabeth McAuley, ...Mercy, Sisters of, of St. Borromeo
Originally a pious association of ladies formed in 1626 for the care of the sick in the ...Meredith, Edward
English Catholic controversialist, b. in 1648, was a son of the rector of Landulph, Cornwall. ...Merici, Saint Angela
Foundress of the Ursulines, born 21 March, 1474, at Desenzano, a small town on the southwestern ...Merit
By merit ( meritum ) in general is understood that property of a good work which entitles the ...Mermillod, Gaspard
Bishop of Lausanne and cardinal, born at Carouge, Switzerland, 22 September, 1824; died in Rome, ...Merneptah I
(1234?-1214 B.C.), the fourth king of the nineteenth Egyptian dynasty and the supposed Pharaoh ...Mersenne, Marin
French theologian, philosopher, and mathematician; b. 8 September, 1588, near Oizé (now ...Mesa
(Greek Mosá ; Moabite Stone, ms‘ ; Hebrew, mys‘ , meaning ...Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, and Armenia
Created by Gregory XVI on 17 Dec., 1832. Mgr. Trioche, Archbishop of Babylon or Bagdad, became ...Mesrob
(Also called MASHTOTS) One of the greatest figures in Armenian history, he was born about 361 ...Messalians
( Praying folk; participle Pa'el of the Aramaic word meaning "to pray "). An heretical ...Messene
A titular see, suffragan to Corinth, in Achaia. Under this name at least, the city dates only ...Messias
(Or Messias .) The Greek form Messias is a transliteration of the Hebrew, Messiah , ...Messina
(MESSINENSIS) Located in Sicily. The city is situated, in the shape of an amphitheatre, along ...Messina, Antonello da
Born at Messina, about 1430; died 1497. After studying for some time in Sicily he crossed over ...Messingham, Thomas
An Irish hagiologist, born in the Diocese of Meath, and studied in the Irish College, Paris, ...Metalwork in the Service of the Church
From the earliest days the Church has employed utensils and vessels of metal in its liturgical ...Metaphrastes, Symeon
( Sumeòn ’o metaphrástes ). The principal compiler of the legends of ...Metaphysics
I. The Name. II. The Definition. III. The Rejection of Metaphysics.IV. Relation of Metaphysics to ...Metastasio, Pietro
Italian poet, b. at Rome, 1698; d. at Vienna, 1782. Of humble origins, his father, once a ...Metcalfe, Edward
Born in Yorkshire, 1792; died a martyr of charity at Leeds, 7 May, 1847. He entered the ...Metellopolis
A titular see of Phrygia Pacatiana, in Asia Minor. The inscriptions make known a Phrygian town ...Metempsychosis
(Greek meta empsychos , Latin metempsychosis : French metempsychose : German ...Metham, Thomas
A knight, confessor of the Faith ; died in York Castle, 1573. He was eldest son of Thomas ...Methodism
A religious movement which was originated in 1739 by John Wesley in the Anglican Church, and ...Methodius and Cyril, Saints
(Or CONSTANTINE and METHODIUS). These brothers, the Apostles of the Slavs, were born in ...Methodius I
Patriarch of Constantinople (842-846), defender of images during the second Iconoclast ...Methodius of Olympus, Saint
Bishop and ecclesiastical author, date of birth unknown; died a martyr, probably in 311. ...Methuselah
One of the Hebrew patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 5. The word is variously given as Mathusale ...Methymna
A titular see in the island of Lesbos. It was once the second city of the island, and enjoyed ...Metrophanes of Smyrna
A leader of the faithful Ignatian bishops at the time of the Photian schism (867). Baronius ...Metropolis
A titular episcopal see and suffragan of Ephesus. Strabo (XIV, 1, 2; XIV, 1, 15), who speaks of ...Metropolitan
Metropolitan , in ecclesiastical language, refers to whatever relates to the metropolis, the ...Metternich, Klemens Lothar Wenzel Von
Statesman; born at Coblenz, 15 May, 1773; died at Vienna, 11 June, 1859; son of Count Georg, ...Metz
A town and bishopric in Lorraine. I. THE TOWN OF METZ In ancient times Metz, then known as ...Meun, Jean Clopinel de
(Or MEUNG.) French poet, b. c. 1260 in the little city of Meung-sur-Loire; d. at Paris ...Mexico
GEOGRAPHY The Republic of Mexico is situated at the extreme point of the North American ...Mexico, Archdiocese of
(MEXICANA.) Boundaries The boundaries of the Diocese of Mexico were at first not well defined. ...Mezger, Francis, Joseph, and Paul
Three brothers, learned Benedictines of the monastery of St. Peter in Salzburg, and professors ...Mezzofanti, Giuseppe
A cardinal, the greatest of polyglots, born 19 September, 1774; died 15 March, 1849. He was the ...Mi 103
Mi 103
Miami Indians
An important tribe of Algonquian stock formerly claiming prior dominion over the whole of what ...Michael Cærularius
( Keroulários ). Patriarch of Constantinople (1043-58), author of the second and ...Michael de Sanctis, Saint
(DE LOS SANTOS). Born at, Vich in Catalonia, 29 September, 1591; died at Valladolid, 10 ...Michael O'Loghlen
Born at Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland, in 1789; died 1846. Educated at Ennis Academy, and Trinity ...Michael of Cesena
(MICHELE FUSCHI) A Friar Minor, Minister General of the Franciscan Order, and theologian, ...Michael Scotus
(SCOTT or SCOT) A thirteenth century mathematician, philosopher, and scholar. He was born in ...Michael the Archangel, Saint
( Hebrew "Who is like God ?"). St. Michael is one of the principal angels ; his name was ...Michael, Military Orders of Saint
(1) A Bavarian Order, founded in 1721 by Elector Joseph Clemens of Cologne, Duke of Bavaria, ...Michaud, Joseph-François
Historian, born at Albens, Savoy, 1767; died at Passy, 30 September, 1839. He belonged to an ...Micheas of Ephraim
Also called Michas. In Hebrew the complete form of the name is Mikhayahu or Mikhayehu ...Micheas, Book of
Micheas (Hebr. Mikhah; Jeremiah 26:18 : Mikhayah keth.), the author of the book which holds the ...Micheas, Son of Jemla
Also called Michas. In Hebrew the complete form of the name is Mikhayahu or Mikhayehu ...Michel, Jean
A French dramatic poet of the fifteenth century, who revised and enlarged the mystery of the ...Michelangelo Buonarroti
Italian sculptor, painter, and architect, b. at Caprese in the valley of the upper Arno, 6 March, ...Michelians
A German Protestant sect which derives its name from "Michel", the popular designation of its ...Michelis, Edward
A theologian, born in St. Mauritz, 6 Feb., 1813; died in Luxemburg, 8 June, 1855. After his ...Michelozzo di Bartolommeo
An architect and sculptor, born at Florence circa 1391; died 1472. He exercised a quiet, but ...Michigan
The State of Michigan is bounded on the north by Lake Superior, on the east by Canada, Lake Huron ...Michoacan
(MICHOACANENSIS) Located in Mexico, the Diocese of Michoacan was established in 1536 by Pope ...Mickiewicz, Adam
Born near Novogrodek, Lithuania, 1798; died at Constantinople, 1855. He studied at Novogrodek ...Micmacs
( Souriquois of the early French ) The easternmost of the Algonquin tribes and probably ...Micrologus
Either a "synopsis" or a "short explanation", and in the Middle Ages used as an equivalent for ...Middendorp, Jakob
Theologian and historian; b. about 1537 at Oldenzaal, or, according to others, at Ootmarsum, ...Middle Ages
A term commonly used to designate that period of European history between the fall of the Roman ...Middlesbrough
(MEDIOBURGENSIS) In medieval history it was known as Myddilburga or Middilburga, with many ...Midianites
(In Authorized Version M IDIANITES ). An Arabian tribe ( Septuagint Madienaîoi ...Midrashim
The term commonly designates ancient rabbinical commentaries on the Hebrew Scriptures. It is the ...Midwives
Midwives come under the canon law of the Church in their relation towards two of the sacraments, ...Migazzi, Christoph Anton
Cardinal, Prince Archbishop of Vienna, b. 1714, in the Tyrol, d. 14 April, 1803, at Vienna. At ...Mignard, Pierre
A French painter, born at Troyes, 7 November, 1612; died at Paris, 30 May, 1695. Though destined ...Migne, Jacques-Paul
Priest, and publisher of theological works, born at Saint-Flour, 25 October, 1800; died at Paris, ...Migration
The movement of populations from place to place is one of the earliest social phenomena history ...Milan
(MEDIOLANENSIS) Located in Lombardy, northern Italy. The city is situated on the Orona River, ...Milde, Vinzenz Eduard
Prince- Archbishop of Vienna, born at Brünn, in Moravia, in 1777; died at Vienna in ...Miles Gerard, Venerable
Martyr ; born about 1550 at Wigan; executed at Rochester 13 (30?) April, 1590. Sprung perhaps ...Miles, George Henry
A dramatist and man of letters, born in Baltimore, Maryland, 31 July, 1824; died near ...Mileto
(MILETENSIS) Located in Calabria, in the province of Reggio, southern Italy. According to ...Miletopolis
A titular see of Asia Minor, suffragan of Cyzicus. Miletopolis was a town north of Mysia, at ...Miletus
A titular see of Asia Minor, suffragan of Aphrodisias, in Caria. Situated on the western coast ...Miletus, Vitus
(Originally MÜLLER) A Catholic theologian, born at Gmünd, Swabia, 1549; died at ...Milevum
A titular see of Numidia. In Ptolemy's "Geography", IV, iii, 7, the city is mentioned under the ...Milic, Jan
A pre-Hussite reform preacher and religious enthusiast, born at Kremsier in Moravia, died 29 ...Military Orders, The
Including under this term every kind of brotherhood of knights, secular as well as religious, ...Millennium and Millenarianism
The fundamental idea of millenarianism, as understood by Christian writers, may be set forth ...Miller, Ferdinand Von
Born at Fürstenfeldbruck, 1813; died at Munich, 1887. He laboured for the development of ...Millet, Jean-François
French painter ; b. at Gruchy, near Cherbourg, 4 October, 1814; d. at Barbizon, 20 January, 1875. ...Millet, Pierre
( Or Milet). A celebrated early Jesuit missionary in New York State, b. at Bourges, ...Milner, John
Born in London, 14 October, 1752: died at Wolverhampton, 19 April, 1826. At the age of twelve ...Milner, Venerable Ralph
Layman and martyr, born at Flacsted, Hants, England, early in the sixteenth century; suffered ...Milo Crispin
Monk, and cantor of the Benedictine Abbey of Bec ; wrote the lives of five of its abbots : ...Milopotamos
A titular see of Crete, suffragan of Candia. Certain historians and geographers identify ...Miltiades, Pope Saint
The year of his birth is not known; he was elected pope in either 310 or 311; died 10 or 11 ...Miltiz, Karl von
Papal chamberlain and nuncio, b. about 1480, the son of Sigismund von Miltiz, "Landvogt" of ...Milwaukee
(MILWAUKIENSIS) Established as a diocese, 28 Nov., 1843; became an archbishopric, 12 ...Mind
(Greek nous ; Latin mens , German Geist , Seele ; French ame esprit ). The word ...Minden
Diocese of Minden (former see of Westphalia ). Minden on the Weser is first heard of in ...Ming, John
A philosopher and writer, born at Gyswyl, Unterwalden, Switzerland, 20 Sept., 1838; died at ...Minimi
Minimi (or M INIMS ) are the members of the religious order founded by St. Francis of Paula. ...Minister
The term minister has long been appropriated in a distinctive way to the clergy. The language ...Minkelers, Jean-Pierre
Inventor of illuminating gas; b. at Maastricht, Holland, 1748; d. there 4 July, 1824. At the age ...Minnesota
One of the North Central States of the American Union, lies about midway between the eastern and ...Mino di Giovanni
(Called DA FIESOLE.) Born 1431; died 1484. He is inscribed in the "Libro della Matricola" of ...Minor
( Latin minor ), that which is less, or inferior in comparison with another, the term being ...Minor Orders
( Latin Ordines Minores ). The lower degrees of the hierarchy are designated by the name of ...Minorca
(Minoricensis). Suffragan of Valencia, comprises the Island of Minorca, the second in size of ...Minsk
(MINCENSIS) A suffragan of Mohileff, in Western Russia. The city of Minsk is situated on ...Mint, Papal
The right to coin money being a sovereign prerogative, there can be no papal coins of earlier ...Minucius Felix
Christian apologist, flourished between 160 and 300; the exact date is not known. His ...Mirabilia Urbis Romæ
The title of a medieval Latin description of the city of Rome, dating from about 1150. ...Miracle
(Latin miraculum , from mirari , "to wonder"). In general, a wonderful thing, the word ...Miracle Plays and Mysteries
These two names are used to designate the religious drama which developed among Christian ...Miracles, Gift of
The gift of miracles is one of those mentioned by St. Paul in his First Epistle to the ...Miraculous Medal
The devotion commonly known as that of the Miraculous Medal owes its origin to Zoe Labore, a ...Miraeus, Aubert
(Also called Aubert le Mire). Ecclesiastical historian, born at Brussels, 30 Nov., 1573; died ...Mirandola, Giovanni Francesco Pico della
Italian philosopher, nephew of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, b. about 1469; d. 1533. Though very ...Mirandola, Giovanni Pico della
Italian philosopher and scholar, born 24 February, 1463; died 17 November, 1494. He belonged to a ...Miridite, Abbey of
(MIRIDITARUM, or SANCTI ALEXANDRI DE OROSHI). The name of an abbatia nullius in Albania, ...Miserere
The first word of the Vulgate text of Psalm 1 (Hebrew, li). Two other Psalms (lv and lvi) begin ...Misericorde, Congregation of the Sisters of
A congregation of women founded 16 January, 1848, for the purpose of procuring spiritual and ...Misocco and Galanca
(MESAUCINAE ET CALANCAE). This prefecture in the canton of Grisons, Switzerland, comprises the ...Missa Pro Populo
The parish is established to provide the parishioners with the helps of religion, especially ...Missal
(Latin Missale from Missa , Mass), the book which contains the prayers said by the priest ...Mission Indians (of California)
A name of no real ethnic significance, but used as a convenient popular and official term to ...Mission, Congregation of Priests of the
A congregation of secular priests with religious vows founded by St. Vincent de Paul. The ...Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo, Congregation of
Founded by John Baptist Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza, Italy (d. 1 June, 1905); approved in ...Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales of Annecy
Amid the many activities to which St. Francis devoted himself, he long had the desire to found a ...Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle
Otherwise known as the "Paulist Fathers" A community of priests for giving missions and ...Missions, California
I. LOWER CALIFORNIA California became known to the world through Hernando Cortés, the ...Missions, Catholic
The history of Catholic missions would necessarily begin with the missionary labours of Christ, ...Missions, Catholic Indian, of Canada
The French discoverers of Canada did not fail to impress the aborigines they met with a vague ...Missions, Catholic Indian, of the United States
The spiritual welfare of the native tribes of America was a subject of deep concern to the ...Missions, Catholic Parochial
This term is used to designate certain special exertions of the Church's pastoral agencies, ...Mississippi
Mississippi, one of the United States of America , takes its name from the Mississippi River ...Missouri
The State of Missouri was carved out of the Louisiana Territory, and derives its name from the ...Missouri Test-Oath
In January, 1865, there assembled in St. Louis, Missouri, a "Constitutional Convention" composed ...Mithraism
A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It ...Mitre
Form, Material, and Use The mitre is a kind of folding-cap. It consists of two like parts, each ...Mittarelli, Nicola Giacomo
(In religion GIAN BENEDETTO) A monastic historian, born 2 September, 1707, at Venice ; ...Mitylene
A titulary archbishopric in the island of Lesbos. Inhabitated, first by the Pelasgians, then by ...Mivart, St. George Jackson
Corresponding member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia; Member of the Council of ...Mixe Indians
(Also Mije, Latin Mi-she) A mountain tribe in southern Mexico, noted for their extreme ...Mixed Marriage
(Latin Matrimonia mixta ). Technically, mixed marriages are those between Catholics and ...Mixteca Indians
(Also Misteca, Latin Mish-te-ka) One of the most important civilized tribes of southern ...Mo 199
Mo 199
Moab, Moabites
In the Old Testament, the word Moab designates (1) a son of Lot by his elder daughter ( ...Mobile
DIOCESE OF MOBILE ( French MOBILE, Spanish MAUBILA, Latin MOBILIENSIS). Suffragan of New ...Mocissus
A titular metropolitan see of Cappadocia. Procopius (De ædif., V, iv) informs us that this ...Mocoví Indians
The name is also written Macobio, Mbocobi, Mocobio. They are a warlike and predatory tribe of the ...Modalism (Monarchianism)
Heretics of the second and third centuries. The word, Monarchiani , was first used by Tertullian ...Modena
ARCHDIOCESE OF MODENA (MUTINENSIS) Located in central Italy, between the rivers Secchia and ...Modernism
Origin of the Word Theory of Theological Modernism The essential error of Modernism ...Modestus, Vitus, and Crescentia, Saints
According to the legend, martyrs under Diocletian ; feast, 15 June. The earliest testimony for ...Modigliana
DIOCESE OF MODIGLIANA (MUTILIANENSIS) Located in the Province of Florence, in Tuscany. The city ...Modra
A titular see of Bithynia Secunda, suffragan of Nicæa. The city of Modra figures only in ...Mohammed and Mohammedism
I. THE FOUNDER Mohammed, "the Praised One", the prophet of Islam and the founder of ...Mohammedan Confraternities
The countries where Mohammedanism prevails are full of religious associations, more or less ...Mohileff
(Mohyloviensis) Latin Catholic archdiocese and ecclesiastical province in Russia. For the ...Mohr, Christian
Born at Andernach, 1823; died at Cologne, 1888. He practised his profession of sculptor chiefly ...Mohr, Joseph
Born at Siegburg, Rhine Province, 11 Jan., 1834; died at Munich, 7 February, 1892. Father Mohr did ...Moigno, François-Napoléon-Marie
Physicist and author, b. at Guéméné (Morbihan), 15 April, 1804; d. at ...Molai, Jacques de
(DE MOLAY). Born at Rahon, Jura, about 1244; d. at Paris, 18 March, 1314. A Templar at Beaune ...Molesme, Notre-Dame de
A celebrated Benedictine monastery in a village of the same name, Canton of Laignes ...Molfetta, Terlizzi, and Giovinazzo
(MELPHICTENSIS, TERLITIENSIS ET JUVENACENSIS) Molfetta is a city of the province of Bari, in ...Molière, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin
(Properly, JEAN-BAPTISTE POQUELIN, the name by which he became known to fame having been assumed ...Molina, Antonio De
A Spanish Carthusian and celebrated ascetical writer, born about 1560, at Villanueva de los ...Molina, Juan Ignacio
(Mol. or Molin). Naturalist and scientist ; b. 20 July, 1740, at Guaraculen near Talca ...Molina, Luis de
One of the most learned and renown theologians of the Society of Jesus, b. of noble parentage at ...Molinism
The name used to denote one of the systems which purpose to reconcile grace and free will. This ...Molinos, Miguel de
Founder of Quietism, born at Muniesa, Spain, 21 December, 1640; died at Rome, 28 December, ...Molitor, Wilhelm
(Pseudonyms, ULRIC RIESLER and BENNO BRONNER) A poet, novelist, canonist and publicist, born at ...Molloy, Francis
(O'MOLLOY) A theologian, grammarian born in King's County, Ireland, at the beginning of the ...Molloy, Gerald
A theologian and scientist, born at Mount Tallant House, near Dublin, 10 Sept., 1834; died at ...Molo, Gasparo
(he wrote his name also MOLA and MOLI) A skilful Italian goldsmith and planisher, chiefly known ...Moloch
( Hebrew Molech , king). A divinity worshiped by the idolatrous Israelites. The Hebrew ...Molokai
An interesting island, one of the North Pacific group formerly known as the Sandwich Islands, or ...Molyneux, Sir Caryll
Baronet of Sefton, and third Viscount Molyneux of Maryborough in Ireland, born 1624; died 1699. He ...Mombritius, Bonino
A philologist, humanist, and editor of ancient writings, born 1424; died between 1482 and 1502. ...Monaco, Principality and Diocese of
Situated on the Mediterranean Sea, on the skirts of the Turbie and the Tête de Chien ...Monad
(From the Greek monas, monados ). Monad , in the sense of "ultimate, indivisible unit," ...Monarchia Sicula
A right exercised from the beginning of the sixteenth century by the secular rulers of Sicily, ...Monarchians
Heretics of the second and third centuries. The word, Monarchiani , was first used by Tertullian ...Monasteries in Continental Europe, Suppression of
Under this title will be treated only the suppressions of religious houses (whether monastic in ...Monasteries in England, Suppression of
From any point of view the destruction of the English monasteries by Henry VIII must be ...Monasteries, Double
Religious houses comprising communities of both men and women, dwelling in contiguous ...Monastery, Canonical Erection of a
A religious house (monastery or convent ) is a fixed residence of religious persons. It supposes, ...Monasticism
Monasticism or monachism, literally the act of "dwelling alone" (Greek monos, monazein, monachos ...Monasticism, Eastern
(1) Origin The first home of Christian monasticism is the Egyptian desert. Hither during ...Monasticism, Pre-Chalcedonian
Egypt was the Motherland of Christian monasticism. It sprang into existence there at the ...Monasticism, Western
(1) Pre-Benedictine Period The introduction of monasticism into the West may be dated from ...Moncada, Francisco De
Count of Osona, Spanish historian, son of the Governor of Sardinia and Catalonia, born at ...Mondino dei Lucci
Mondino (a diminutive for Raimondo; Mundinus) dei Lucci. Anatomist, b. probably at Bologna, ...Mondoñedo
(Latin MONDUMETUM, or MINDON, MINDONIENSIS, also BRITONIENSIS, DUMIENSIS, and VILLABRIENSIS) ...Mondovi
DIOCESE OF MONDOVÌ (MONTISREGALIS) Located in Piedmont, province of Cuneo, northern ...Mone, Franz
A historian and archeologist, born at Mingolsheim near Bruchsal, Baden, 12 May, 1796; died at ...Moneta
(MONETUS) A theologian, born at Cremona, Italy, date unknown; died at Bologna, 1240. He ...Mongolia
The name used to designate an immense uneven plateau, part of the Chinese Empire, extending, ...Mongus, Peter
( moggos , "stammerer", or "hoarse".) Intruded Monophysite patriarch of Alexandria (d. ...Monica, Saint
Widow ; born of Christian parents at Tagaste, North Africa, in 333; died at Ostia, near Rome, ...Monism
(From the Greek monos , "one", "alone", "unique"). Monism is a philosophical term which, ...Monita Secreta
A code of instructions alleged to be addressed by Acquaviva, the fifth general of the Society, to ...Monk
A monk may be conveniently defined as a member of a community of men, leading a more or less ...Monk of Malmesbury, The
Supposed author of a chronicle among the Cottonian manuscripts in the British Museum (Vesp. D. ...Monogram of Christ
By the Monogram of Christ is ordinarily understood the abbreviation of Christ's name formed by ...Monomotapa
Whatever may be the etymological meaning of the word Monomotapa , the origin of which is much ...Monophysites and Monophysitism
The history of this sect and of its ramifications has been summarized under E UTYCHIANISM (the ...Monopoli, Diocese of
(MONOPOLITANA). A diocese in the Province of Bari, in Apulia, southern Italy. The city has a ...Monopoly, Moral Aspects of
According to its etymology, monopoly ( monopolia ) signifies exclusive sale, or exclusive ...Monotheism
Monotheism (from the Greek monos "only", and theos "god") is a word coined in comparatively ...Monothelitism and Monothelites
(Sometimes written MONOTHELETES, from monotheletai , but the eta is more naturally ...Monreale
Located in the province of Palermo, Sicily, on the skirts of Mount Caputo. The city is built in a ...Monroe, James
A soldier, convert, born in Albemarle county, Virginia, U.S.A. 10 Sept., 1799; died at Orange, ...Monsabré, Jacques-Marie-Louis
A celebrated pulpit orator, born at Blois, France, 10 Dec., 1827; died at Havre, 21 Feb., ...Monseigneur
(From mon , "my" and seigneur , ("elder" or "lord," like Latin senior ) A French ...Monsell, William, Baron Emly
Born 21 Sept., 1812; died at Tervoe, Co. Limerick, Ireland, 20 April, 1894. His father was ...Monsignor
( Dominus meus; monseigneur , My Lord). As early as the fourteenth century it was the custom ...Monstrance (Ostensorium)
(From ostendere , "to show"). Ostensorium means, in accordance with its etymology, a ...Monstrelet, Enguerrand de
A French chronicler, born about 1390 or 1395; died in July, 1453. He was most probably a native of ...Mont-St-Michel
A Benedictine Abbey, in the Diocese of Avranches, Normandy, France. It is unquestionably the ...Montañés, Juan Martínez
A noted Spanish sculptor of the seventeenth century, died 1649, sometimes called "the Sevillian ...Montagna, Bartolomeo
Italian painter, chief representative of the Vicenza School, b. at Orzinuovi about 1450; d. at ...Montagnais Indians (Chippewayans)
A name given in error to the C HIPPEWAYANS , owing to a fancied resemblance to the ...Montagnais Indians (Quebec)
French for "Mountaineers". The collective designation of a number of bands speaking dialects ...Montaigne, Michel-Eyquen de
Writer, b. at the château of Montaigne, in Périgord, France, on 28 Feb., 1533; d. ...Montalcino
DIOCESE OF MONTALCINO (ILCINENSIS) Montalcino is a small town about twenty miles from Siena, ...Montalembert, Charles-Forbes-René
CHARLES-FORBES-RENÉ, COMTE DE MONTALEMBERT. Born in London, 15 April, 1810; died in ...Montalto
DIOCESE OF MONTALTO (MONTIS ALTI) Located in Ascoli Piceno. The situation of the little town ...Montana
The third largest of the United States of America , admitted to the Union 8 November, 1889; ...Montanists
Schismatics of the second century, first known as Phrygians, or "those among the Phrygians" ( oi ...Montanus, Benedictus Arias
Orientalist, exegete, and editor of the "Antwerp Polyglot", born at Frejenal de la Sierra in ...Montauban
(MONTIS ALBANI) A suffragan of Toulouse, comprises the entire department of Tarn and Garonne. ...Montault, Xavier Barbier De
Born at Loudun, 6 February, 1830; died at Blaslay, Vienne ( France ), 29 March, 1901. He came of ...Montboissier, Blessed Peter of
(Better known as PETER THE VENERABLE). Born in Auvergne, about 1092; died at Cluny, 25 ...Montcalm-Gozon, Marquis de Louis-Joseph
A French general, born 28 Feb., 1712, at Candiac, of Louis-Daniel and Marie-Thérèse ...Monte Cassino, Abbey of
An abbey nullius situated about eighty miles south of Rome, the cradle of the Benedictine ...Monte Vergine
An abbey in the province of Naples, Italy, near the town of Avellino, commanding a magnificent ...Montefeltro
(FERETRANA) Located in the province of Urbino, in the Marches, Central Italy. The earliest ...Montefiascone
(MONTIS FALISCI) Located in the province of Rome. The city is situated nearly 2000 feet above ...Montemayor, Jorge De
(MONTEMÔR) A writer, born at Montemôr, province of Coimbra, Portugal, about 1520; ...Montenegro
A kingdom in the Balkan Peninsula, on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea; the territory was in ...Montepulciano
DIOCESE OF MONTEPULCIANO (MONTIS POLITIANI) Diocese in the province of Siena, in Tuscany. The ...Monterey and Los Angeles
DIOCESE OF MONTEREY AND LOS ANGELES (MONTEREYENSIS ET ANGELORUM). Comprises that part of the ...Montes Pietatis
Montes Pietatius are charitable institutions of credit that lend money at low rates of ...Montesa, Military Order of
This order was established in the Kingdom of Aragon to take the place of the Order of the ...Montesino, Antonio
A Spanish missionary, date of birth unknown; died in the West Indies, 1545. Of his early life ...Montesinos, Luis de
Spanish theologian, date and place of birth unknown; d. 7 Oct., 1621. He entered the Dominican ...Montesqieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de
French writer and publicist, b. in the Château de la Brède near Bordeaux, 18 ...Monteverde, Claudio
A distinguished musician, born at Cremona, May, 1567; died at Venice, 29 Nov., 1643. He studied ...Montevideo
(MONTISVIDEI) Located in Uruguay, comprises the whole of the republic. This territory was ...Montfaucon, Bernard de
French scholar, b. in 1655, at the château de Soulatge, Department of Aude, arrondissement ...Montfort, Simon de
An Earl of Leicester, date of birth unknown, died at Toulouse, 25 June, 1218. Simon (IV) de ...Montgolfier, Joseph-Michel
Inventor; b. at Vidalon-lez-Annonay, Department of Ardèche, France, 26 August, 1740; d. ...Months, Special Devotions for
During the Middle Ages the public functions of the Church and the popular devotions of the ...Montmagny, Charles Huault De
The second French Governor of Canada, born in France towards the end of the sixteenth century, ...Montmirail, John de
(MONTE-MIRABILI) Son of Andrew, Lord of Montmirail and Ferté-Gaucher, and Hildiarde ...Montmorency, Anne, First Duke of
Born at Chantilly, 15 March, 1492; died at Paris, 12 November, 1567. He belonged to that family ...Montor, Alexis-François Artaud De
A diplomat and historian, born at Paris, 31 July, 1772; died at Paris, 12 Nov., 1849. An ...Montpellier
The Diocese of Montpellier (Montis Pessulani) comprises the department of Hérault, and is a ...Montreal, Archdiocese of
Metropolitan of the ecclesiastical Province of Montreal. Suffragans: the Dioceses of ...Montreuil
Charterhouse of Notre-Dame-des-Pres, at Montreuil, in the Diocese of Arras, Department of ...Montreuil Abbey
A former convent of Cistercian nuns in the Diocese of Laon, now Soissons, France. Some ...Montyon, Antoine-Jean-Baptiste-Robert Auget, Baron de
Famous French philanthropist; b. at Paris, 23 December, 1733; d. there 29 December, 1820. He was ...Moore, Arthur
Count, b. at Liverpool, 1849; d. at Mooresfort, Tipperary, Ireland, 1904, was the son of ...Moore, Michael
(Or MOOR) Priest, preacher, and professor, b. at Dublin, Ireland, 1640; d. at Paris, 22 ...Moore, Thomas
Poet and biographer, b. 28 May, 1779, at Dublin, Ireland ; d. 26 February, 1852, at Devizes, ...Mopsuestia
A titular see of Cilicia Secunda in Asia Minor and suffragan of Anazarbus. The founding of ...Moréri, Louis
An encyclopaedist, b. at Bargemont in the Diocese of Fréjus, France, 25 March, 1643, d. at ...Mor, Antonis Van Dashort
(MOOR) Commonly called ANTONIO MORO, or ANTHONIS MORE, a Dutch painter, b. at Utrecht in 1519; ...Moral Theology
Moral theology is a branch of theology, the science of God and Divine things. The distinction ...Morales, Ambrosio
Spanish historian, b. at Cordova, 1513; d. in 1591. After his studies at the University of ...Morales, Christóbal
A composer, born at Seville, 2 Jan., 1512; died at Málaga, 14 June, 1553. From 1 Sept., ...Morales, Juan Bautista
Missionary, b. about 1597 at Ecija in Andalusia, Spain ; d. Fu-ning, China, 17 Sept., 1664. He ...Morales, Luis de
Spanish painter, b. at Badajoz in Estremadura about 1509; d. at Badajoz, 1586. His life was ...Moralities
( Also: MORALITY PLAYS or MORAL PLAYS). Moralities are a development or an offshoot of the ...Morality
It is necessary at the outset of this article to distinguish between morality and ethics , ...Moran, Francis Patrick
Third Archbishop of Sydney, b. at Leighlinbridge, Ireland, 16 Sept., 1830; d. at Manly, Sydney, ...Moratín, Leandro Fernandez de
Spanish poet and playwright, b. at Madrid, 10 March, 1760; at Paris, 21 June, 1828. He is ...Moravia
( German MÄHREN). Austrian crown land east of Bohemia. In the century before the Christian ...Moravian Brethren
(MORAVIAN BRETHREN, or UNITAS FRATRUM). DEFINITION AND DOCTRINAL POSITION "Bohemian Brethren" ...Morcelli, Stefano Antonio
An Italian Jesuit and learned epigraphist; b. 17 January, 1737, at Chiari near Brescia ; d. ...More, Helen
(DAME GERTRUDE.) Benedictine nun of the English Congregation; b. at Low Leyton, Essex, ...More, Henry
Great-grandson of the martyred English chancellor ; b., 1586; d. at Watten in 1661. Having ...More, Thomas, Saint
Saint, knight, Lord Chancellor of England, author and martyr, born in London, 7 February, ...Morel, Gall
Poet, scholar, aesthete, and educationist, b. at St. Fiden, Switzerland, on 24 March, 1803; d. at ...Morell, Juliana
Dominican nun, b. at Barcelona, Spain, 16 February, 1594; d. at the convent of the Dominican ...Morelos, José María
Mexican patriot, b. at Valladolid (now called Morelia in his honour ), Mexico, on 30 September, ...Moreto y Cabaña, Augustine
Spanish dramatist; b. at Madrid, 9 April, 1618, d. at Toledo, 28 Octoher, 1669. He received what ...Morgagni, Giovanni Battista
Called by Virchow, the "Father of Modern Pathology", a distinguished Italian physician and ...Morgan, Venerable Edward
Welsh priest, martyr, b. at Bettisfield, Hanmer, Flintshire, executed at Tyburn, London, 26 ...Morghen, Raffaello
Italian engraver, b. at Portici, 19 June, 1768 (1761?); d. at Florence, 8 April, 1833. His ...Moriarty, David
Bishop and pulpit orator, b. in Ardfert, Co. Kerry, in 1812; d. 1 October, 1877. He received ...Morigi, Michaelangelo (Caravaggio)
A Milanese painter, b. at Caravaggio in 1569, d. at Porto d' Ercole in 1609. His family name was ...Morimond, Abbey of
Fourth daughter of Cîteaux situated in Champagne, Diocese of Langres , France ; was ...Morin, Jean
A French priest of the Oratory, b. at Blois, in 1591, d. at Paris, 28 Feb., 1659. According to ...Mormons
( Also called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.) This religious body had ...Morocco
(Prefecture Apostolic of Morocco). The country known as Morocco (from Marrakesh, the name of ...Morone, Giovanni
Cardinal, Bishop of Modena, b. at Milan 25 Jan., 1509; d. at Rome, 1 Dec., 1580. He belonged ...Moroni, Gaetano
The author of the well-known "Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica", b. at Rome, 17 ...Moroni, Giovanni Battista
A painter, b. at Bondo, near Albino, in the territory of Bergamo, between 1520 and 1525; d. at ...Morris, John
Canon, afterwards Jesuit, F.S.A., b. in India, 4 July, 1826; d. at Wimbledon, 22 Oct., 1893, ...Morris, John Brande
Born at Brentford, Middlesex, 4 September, 1812; died at Hammersmith, London, 9 April, 1880; he ...Morris, Martin Ferdinand
Lawyer and jurist, b. 3 December, 1834, at Washington, D.C.; d. 12 September, 1909, at Washington, ...Morse
( Latin morsus ). Also called the MONILLE, FIRMULA, FIRMULE, PECTOIRALE, originally the ...Morse, Venerable Henry
Martyr ; b. in 1595 in Norfolk; d. at Tyburn, 1 Feb., 1644. He was received into the church at ...Mortification
One of the methods which Christian ascesticism employs in training the soul to virtuous and ...Mortmain
(Old Fr., morte meyn ), dead-hand, or "such a state of possession of land as makes it ...Morton, John
Cardinal, Archbishop of Canterbury, b. in Dorsetshire about 1420, d. at Knowle, Kent, 15 Sept., ...Morton, Robert
English priest and martyr, b. at Bawtry, Yorks, about 1548; executed in Lincoln's Inn Fields, ...Mosaic Legislation
The body of juridical, moral, and ceremonial institutions, laws and decisions comprised in the ...Mosaics
Mosaics, as a term, according to the usual authorities is derived through generations of gradual ...Moschus, Johannes
( ho tou Moschou , son of Moschus) A monk and ascetical writer, b. about 550 probably at ...Moscow
(Russian Moskva ). The ancient capital of Russia and the chief city of the government ...Moses
Hebrew liberator, leader, lawgiver, prophet, and historian, lived in the thirteenth and early part ...Moses Bar Cephas
A Syriac bishop and writer, b. at Balad about 813; d. 12 Feb., 903. He is known through a ...Moses Maimonides, Teaching of
Moses ben Maimun (Arabic, Abu Amran Musa), Jewish commentator and philosopher, was born of ...Moses of Chorene
(MOSES CHORENENSIS) Perhaps the best known writer of Armenia, called by his countrymen "the ...Mossul
The seat of a Chaldean archdiocese, a Syrian diocese, and an Apostolic Mission. The origin of ...Most Precious Blood, Archconfraternity of the
Confraternities which made it their special object to venerate the Blood of Christ first arose in ...Most Precious Blood, Feast of the
For many dioceses there are two days to which the Office of the Precious Blood has been ...Most Pure Heart of Mary, Feast of the
In its principal object this feast is identical with the feast of the "Inner Life of Mary", ...Mostar and Markana-Trebinje
(MANDATRIENSIS, MARCANENSIS ET TRIBUNENSIS) When at the Berlin Congress (1878) ...Mosynoupolis
Titular see, suffragan of Trajanopolis in Rhodope. A single bishop is known, Paul, who assisted ...Motet
A short piece of music set to Latin words, and sung instead of, or immediately after, the ...Motolinia, Toribio de Benavente
Franciscan missionary, b. at Benavente, Spain, at the end of the fifteenth century; d. in the ...Motu Proprio
The name given to certain papal rescripts on account of the clause motu proprio (of his own ...Mouchy, Antoine de
(Called DEMOCHARES.) Theologian and canonist, b. 1494, at Ressons-sur-Matz, near Beauvais, in ...Moufang, Franz Christoph Ignaz
Theologian, b. at Mainz, 17 Feb., 1817; d. there, 27 Feb., 1890. His early studies were made at ...Moulins
D IOCESE OF M OULINS (M OLINENSIS ). Suffragan of Sens -- comprises the entire ...Mount Athos
Athos is a small tongue of land that projects into the Aegean Sea, being the eastern-most of the ...Mount Calvary, Congregations of
I. DAUGHTERS OF MOUNT CALVARY Founded in 1619 by Virginia Centurione (d. 1651), daughter of the ...Mount Carmel, Feast of Our Lady of
This feast was instituted by the Carmelites between 1376 and 1386 under the title ...Mount Saint Mary's College
Mount St. Mary's College , the second oldest among the Catholic collegiate institutions in the ...Movers, Franz Karl
Exegete and Orientalist, b. at Koesfeld, Westphalia, 17 July, 1806; d. at Breslau, 28 Sept., ...Moxos Indians
(MOYOS INDIANS). According to one authority, they are named from Musu, their Quichua name; ...Moy De Sons, Karl Ernst, Freiherr Von
A jurist, born 10 August, 1799, at Munich ; died 1 August, 1867, at Innsbruck (Tyrol). He ...Moye, Ven. John Martin
Priest of the Diocese of Metz, founder of the Sisters of Divine Providence, missionary in China, ...Moylan, Francis
Bishop of Cork, born at Cork, 1739; died in 1815. He was the son of a rich merchant. As the ...Moylan, Stephen
An American patriot and merchant, born in Ireland in 1734; died at Philadelphia, 11 April, ...Mozambique
(Mocambique) The former official and still usual name given to the Portuguese possessions on ...Mozarabic Rite
This subject will be treated under the following heads: I. History and Origin; II. Manuscripts and ...Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
One of the greatest musical geniuses in history, born at Salzburg, Austria, 27 January, 1756; died ...Mozetena Indians
A group of some half dozen tribes constituting a distinct linguistic stock upon the headwaters of ...Mozzetta
A short, cape-shaped garment, covering the shoulders and reaching only to the elbow, with an open ...Mozzi, Luigi
Controversialist, born at Bergamo, 26 May, 1746; died near Milan, 24 June, 1813. He entered the ...Mr 1
Mr 1
Mrak, Ignatius
The second Bishop of Marquette, U.S.A., born 16 October, 1818, in Hotovle, in the Diocese of ...Mu 31
Mu 31
Muchar, Albert Anton Von
An historian, born at Linez, Tyrol, 22 Nov., 1781; died at Graz, Styria, 6 June, 1849. He was ...Mulhall, Michael George
Statistician, b. in Dublin, 29 September, 1829; d. there 13 Dec., 1900. He was educated at the ...Mulholland, St. Clair Augustine
Born at Lisburn, Co. Antrium, Ireland, 1 April 1839; died at Philadelphia, 17 Feb., 1910. ...Mullanphy, John
Merchant, philanthropist, b. near Enniskillen, Co. Fremanagh, Ireland, 1758; d. at St. Louis, ...Mullock, John T.
Bishop of St. John's, Newfoundland, born in 1807 at Limerick, Ireland ; died at St. John's, ...Mundwiler, Fintan
Abbot of the Benedictine monastery of St. Meinrad, Indiana, born at Dietikon in Switzerland, ...Munich-Freising
ARCHDIOCESE OF MUNICH-FREISING (MONASENSIS ET FRISINGENSIS). An archdiocese in Bavaria. This ...Munkács
Diocese in Hungary, of Greek Catholic Rite, suffragan of Gran. It dates from the fifteenth ...Mura, Saint
Born in Co. Donegal, Ireland, about 550. He was appointed Abbot of Fahan by St. Columba. The ...Muratori, Luigi Antonio
Librarian in Modena, one of the greatest scholars of his time, b. 21 Oct., 1672; d. 23 Jan., ...Muratorian Canon
Also called the Muratorian Fragment, after the name of the discoverer and first editor, L. A. ...Murder
( Latin homo , man; and caedere , to slay) Homicide signifies, in general, the killing of a ...Muret, Marc-Antoine
French humanist, b. at Muret, near Limoges, in 1526; d. at Rome, in 1585. He studied at Poitiers ...Muri
(MURI-GRIES) An abbey of monks of the Order of S. Benedict, which flourished for over ...Murillo, Bartolomé Esteban
Spanish painter ; b. at Seville, 31 December, 1617; d. there 5 April, 1682. His family surname ...Murner, Thomas
Greatest German satirist of the sixteenth century, b. at Oberehnheim, Alsace, 24 Dec., 1475; d. ...Muro-Lucano
(MURANENSIS) Located in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, southern Italy. The town is ...Murray, Daniel
An Archbishop of Dublin, b. 1768, at Sheepwalk, near Arklow, Ireland ; d. at Dublin. He was ...Murray, John O'Kane
Physician, historian, b. in County Antrim, Ireland, 12 Dec., 1847; d. at Chicago, Illinois, ...Murray, Patrick
Theologian, b. Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland, 18 November, 1811; d. 15 Nov., 1882, in ...Museums, Christian
Though applicable to collections composed of Christian objects representative of all epochs, ...Mush
An Armenian Catholic see, comprising the sanjaks of Mush and Seert, in the vilayet of Bitlis. It ...Mush, John
(Alias RATCLIFFE) A priest, b. in Yorkshire, 1551 or 1552; d. at Wenge, Co. Bucks, 1612 or ...Music of the Mass
Under this heading will be considered exclusively the texts of the Mass (and not, therefore, the ...Music, Ecclesiastical
By this term is meant the music which, by order or with the approbation of ecclesiastical ...Musical Instruments in Church Services
For almost a thousand years Gregorian chant, without any instrumental or harmonic addition, was ...Musso, Cornelius
Friar Minor Conventual, Bishop of Bitonto, prominent at the Council of Trent ; born at Piacenza ...Musti
A titular see of Proconsular Africa, suffragan of Carthage. This town, which was a Roman ...Musuros, Markos
A learned Greek humanist, born 1470 at Retimo, Crete; died 1517 at Rome. The son of a rich ...Mutis, José Celestino
Eminent naturalist and scientist in South America, b. at Cadiz, Spain , 6 April, 1732; d. at ...Muzzarelli, Alfonso
A learned Italian Jesuit, b. 22 August, 1749, at Ferrara ; d. 25 May, 1813, at Paris. He ...My 12
My 12
Mylasa
A titular see of Asia Minor, suffragan of Aphrodisias, or Stauropolis, in Caria. This city, the ...Myndus
A titular see of Caria, suffragan of Stauropolis. This city, known through its coins and ...Myra
A titular see of Lycia in Asia Minor. The city was from time immemorial one of the chief places ...Myrina
A titular see of Asia Minor, suffragan of Ephesus. Herodotus (I, 149) mentions it as one of the ...Myriophytum
A titular see of Thracia Prima and suffragan of Heraclea. The early history of this city is ...Mysore
(MAISOUR); DIOCESE OF MYSORE (MYSURIENSIS) Diocese in India, suffragan to Pondicherry, ...Mysteries and Miracle Plays
These two names are used to designate the religious drama which developed among Christian ...Mystery
(Greek mysterion , from myein , "to shut", "to close".) This term signifies in general ...Mystical Body of the Church
The analogy borne by any society of men to an organism is sufficiently manifest. In every ...Mystical Marriage
In the Old and the New Testament , the love of God for man, and, in particular His relations ...Mystical Theology
Mystical theology is the science which treats of acts and experiences or states of the soul ...
Blessed Virgin Mary Classes 
Copyright 2019 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2019 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
