Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Religious of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Sheph A branch of the order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge, founded by Saint John Eudes at Caen, France, 1641; the government of the order was centralized by Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, who established a mother-house at Angers in 1835 with the approval … Continue reading “Religious of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Sheph”

Religious of Notre Dame de Sion A religious congregation founded by the brothers Marie-Theodore and Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne in Paris, France in 1843 for the conversion of the Jews and the education of the young. The nuns receive their spiritual guidance from the priests of Notre Dame de Sion, a congregation of secular priests. The congregation … Continue reading “Religious of Notre Dame de Sion”

religious obedience That general submission which religious vow to God, and voluntarily promise to their superiors, in order to be directed by them in the ways of perfection and in labors of zeal according to the purpose and constitutions of their order. It is composed of three elements: the sacrifice offered to God of the … Continue reading “religious obedience”

religious medals Pieces of metal resembling coins, blessed by the Church and used to increase devotion, to commemorate some religious event, to protect the wearer, or to serve as badges of pious societies. Some bring indulgences to the user. Their use among Christians is very ancient; many have been found in the catacombs, often marked … Continue reading “religious medals”

religious life The state of people who profess to aim at the perfection of Christian charity in the bosom of the Church, by the three perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The religious life pointed out to us by the Evangelical counsels is a life of charity and of union with God, and the … Continue reading “Religious Life”

Religious Liberty is the absolute freedom of religious opinion and worship based upon the fact that all men are bound by the laws of God and are responsible to him. From this primary and supreme obligation the conscience cannot be freed, and hence no human government has a right to hinder any form of religion, … Continue reading “Religious Liberty”

Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph Founded at La Fleche, France in 1636 by Marie de la Ferre, and dedicated to the service of the poor. The society has 24 houses, including hospitals and clinics in France and Belgium, and in the United States and Canada hospitals and orphanages. The mother-house is at La Fleche. Fuente: … Continue reading “Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph”

religious habit The dress of a monk or a nun . Each order has a habit peculiar to it. The rule of several, e.g., Jesuits , is to use the habit worn by the priests in the country in which they reside, but long established custom has supplanted this rule in many places. BenedictineChristianBrother Cistercian … Continue reading “religious habit”

religious guilds These existed in Europe before the rising merchant guilds secured their liberation from the feudal lords, and continued throughout the Middle Ages. Each guild had a peculiar religious purpose; usually manifested by some charitable service. The guild was placed under the patronage of a saint to whom special devotion was paid, and whose … Continue reading “religious guilds”

Religious Experience RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE 1. Evidential value of religious experience.Experience is the ultimate test of truth. All knowledge comes from within. World-knowledge, self-knowledge, God-knowledge, all equally depend upon the trustworthiness of this inner organ of information. A universal experience, or an intuitive consciousness, gives us knowledge lifted to the highest power. That which is most … Continue reading “Religious Experience”