Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Pontianus, St a pope of the 3rd century, was a native of Rome, and descended from the gens Calpurnia, if we may believe the ancient writers. He succeeded Urban I in the pontificate in 230. Platina and others assert that he introduced the singing of psalms into the Church, but this custom must be older. … Continue reading “Pontianus, St”

Pontianus, bp. of Rome Pontianus (3), bp. of Rome from July (?) 21, 230, to Sept. 28, 235. These dates, given in the Liberian Catalogue, are probably correct, though later recessions of the Pontifical give them differently. The same record states that he was, with Hippolytus a presbyter, banished to Sardinia, which it describes as … Continue reading “Pontianus, bp. of Rome”

Pontian, Pope, Saint Reigned from 21 July 230 to 28 September 235 . Martyr; born in Rome, Italy; died in Sardinia. He was banished to Sardinia with Hippolytus by Maximinus the Thracian, and resigned in order to allow the election of Pope Anterus. His sufferings in exile caused his death. Feast , Roman Calendar, 19 … Continue reading “Pontian, Pope Saint”

Pontefract Priory Yorkshire, England. A Cluniac monastery founded c.1090 by Robert de Lacy as a dependency of the Abbey of La Charite-sur-Loire. It was destroyed under King Henry VIII in 1540, the site is now known as Monk-Hill. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary Pontefract Priory Located in Yorkshire, England, a Cluniac monastery dedicated to St. John … Continue reading “Pontefract Priory”

Pontecorvo, Italy City in the province of Caserta, Italy, on south of the Garigliano River. The cathedraI, castle, and triumphal arch with statue of Pope Pius IX, are notable. Once an independent principality, it was later ruled by the abbots of Monte Cassino, and for a long time belonged to the Papal States. In 1806 … Continue reading “Pontecorvo, Italy”

Ponte, Luis de a Spanish Jesuit, noted as an ascetic writer, was born at Valladolid Nov. 11, 1554. He belonged to a noble family, but renounced all the advantages the world offered him, and at the age of twenty entered the Society of Jesus. He was during many years a teacher of philosophy and theology, … Continue reading “Ponte, Luis de”

Pontbriant, Rene-Francois, du Briel de a French priest, was born at Rennes near the opening of the 18th century. Appointed abb of Saint-Marien d’Auxerre, he was one of the most zealous promoters of the institution of the Petits-Savoyards. The first idea of that institution is due to the abb Holy canon of Dijon, who founded … Continue reading “Pontbriant, Rene-Francois, du Briel de”

Pontbriant, Henri-Marie, Du Briel de brother of the preceding, was born at Vannes in 1711. He was canon of Rennes. He early entered ecclesiastical life, and after several promotions was made bishop of Quebec, April 9, 1741. He set out for Quebec shortly after, and arrived there Aug. 17. He died at Montreal (Canada) June … Continue reading “Pontbriant, Henri-Marie, Du Briel de”

Pontbriant, Henri-Guillaume-Marie, Du Breil de brother of the two following, was born at Rennes in 1709. He was a canon, grand chantre of the cathedral of Rennes, and abb of Lanvaux, in the diocese of Vannes. He died at Rennes in 1767. He left, Poeme sur Abums de lat Poesie, crowned at the Jeux Floraux … Continue reading “Pontbriant, Henri-Guillaume-Marie, Du Breil de”

Pontas, Jean a French prelate, was born Dec. 31, 1638, at Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouet (diocese of Avranches). Brought up by his maternal uncle, M. d’Arqueville, he studied successively under his eves in his native city, then at the Jesuits’ College of Rennes, finally in Paris at the College de Navarre. In 1663 he received, for reasons unknown, … Continue reading “Pontas, Jean”