Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Pious Fund of the Californias Charitable organization that had its origin in 1697 in the voluntary donations to the Society of Jesus for the propagation of the faith in California. After the expulsion of the Jesuits, 1768, the Crown of Spain administered the fund until the Mexicans achieved independence, 1821, when Mexico administered it until … Continue reading “Pious Fund of the Californias”

PIOUS FRAUDS Are those artifices and falsehoods made use of in propagating the truth, and endeavouring to promote the spiritual interests of mankind. These have been more particularly practised in the church of Rome, and considered not only as innocent, but commendable. Neither the term nor the thing signified, however, can be justified. The terms … Continue reading “PIOUS FRAUDS”

pious foundations (Latin: fundamentum, basis) Temporal goods given to an ecclesiastical moral person with an obligation, perpetual, or for a long time, to say Masses annually, to perform definite ecclesiastical functions, or to carry out works of piety or charity with the revenue of the donation. Once accepted, it takes on the nature of a … Continue reading “pious foundations”

Pionius, Saint Martyred at Smyrna, 12 March, 250. Pionius, with Sabina and Asclepiades, was arrested on 23 February, the anniversary of St. Polycarp’s martyrdom. They had passed the previous night in prayer and fasting. Knowing of his impending arrest, Pionius had fastened fetters round the necks of himself and his companions to signify that they … Continue reading “Pionius, Saint”

Pionius, martyr at Smyrna Pionius, martyr at Smyrna, in the Decian persecution, Mar 12, 250. It was probably this Pionius who revived the cultus of POLYCARP in Smyrna, by recovering an ancient MS. martyrdom of that saint and fixing the day of commemoration in accordance with it. When taken to prison, Pionius and his companions, … Continue reading “Pionius, martyr at Smyrna”

Piombo, Sebastiano del More correctly known as SEBASTIANO LUCIANI. Venetian portrait painter, b. at Venice, 1485; d. in Rome, 1547. He was known as del Piombo, from the office, conferred upon him by Clement VII, of keeper of the leaden seals. He was a pupil of Giovanni Bellini, and later on of Giorgione. His first … Continue reading “Piombo, Sebastiano del”

Pio Boggiani Profile Joined the Dominicans on 15 September 1879 , taking the name Tommaso. Priest . Missionary to Constantinople . Prior of the Dominican convent at Ragusa , Sicily , Italy in 1891 . Parish priest at Santa Maria di Castello, Genoa , Italy in 1900 . Taught in the seminary of Genoa . … Continue reading “Pio Boggiani”

Pinz#243;n, Martín Alonso Spanish navigator and companion of Columbus on his first voyage to the New World, b. at Palos de Moguer, 1441; d. there at the convent of La Rábida, 1493. Sprung from a family of seamen, he became a hardy sailor and skilful pilot. According to Parkman and other historians, he sailed under … Continue reading “Pinz#243;n, Martín Alonso”

Piny, Alexandre a French ascetic writer of much celebrity, was born at Barcelonnette in 1640. He joined the Dominican Order, and then taught theology at Aix; was called to Paris in 1676, and there was the director of the novitiate in the houses of his order. He was more distinguished for the holiness of his … Continue reading “Piny, Alexandre”

Pinturicchio, Bernardino di Betto di Biagio Painter; born Perugia, Italy, 1454; died Siena, Italy, 1513. The pupil of Fiorenzo di Lorenzo, he assisted Perugino, 1482, in the decoration of the Sistine Chapel; the “Baptism of Christ” and the “Journey of Moses into Egypt” being generally attributed to him. His work was mainly fresco done in … Continue reading “Pinturicchio, Bernardino di Betto di Biagio”