Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Petrarch, Francesco Italian poet and humanist, b. at Arezzo, 20 July, 1304; d. at Arquá, 19 July, 1374. His father, Petracco or Petraccolo (a name which the son adopted as his cognomen, changing it to Petrarca) came of a family belonging originally to the region of the Valdarno, but already settled for some time at … Continue reading “Petrarch, Francesco”

Petrarch (Ital. Petrarca), Francesco one of the most celebrated of Italian writers of prose and poetry, deserves a place here because he was for many years a devout and consistent ecclesiastic, and exerted a farreaching ilfluence on the classical culture of Italy in the later mediaeval period known as the Renaissance (q.v.). Petrarch was born … Continue reading “Petrarch (Ital. Petrarca), Francesco”

Petra, Vicenzo an Italian cardinal, was born at Naples November 13, 1662. He occupied at the court of Rome several considerable positions, and was created cardinal in 1724, then bishop of Praeneste. He enjoyed great influence with popes Innocent XII and Benedict XIII, who often consulted him upon grave affairs. He died at Rome March … Continue reading “Petra, Vicenzo”

Petra Titular metropolitan see of Palæstina Tertia. Under the name of Sela (the rock) this region is described in Abdias (i, 3 sqq.) as an eagle’s nest on the mountain top. It is also referred to in Isaias (xlii, 11), IV Kings (xiv, 7), and II Par. (xxv, 11). In the two last-mentioned passages it … Continue reading “Petra”

Petosiris (), an Egyptian priest and astrologer, who is generally named along with Nechepsos, an Egyptian king. The two are said to be the founders of astrology, and of the art of casting nativities. Suidas states that Petosiris wrote on the right mode of worshipping the gods, astrological maxims, (which are often referred to in … Continue reading “Petosiris”

Petitot, Jean an eminent French painter in enamel, is noted especially as a Huguenot who spurned all efforts for his conversion, and, notwithstanding the personal intercession for his recall to Romanism on the part of king Louis XIV, died as he lived, a pious Protestant. Petitot was the son of a sculptor and architect, and … Continue reading “Petitot, Jean”

petitions to the Holy See All the faithful are free to request favors from the Holy See but where one’s own ordinary is empowered to grant them it is advisable to seek them from the Ordinary. The Pope can be approached directly; however it is customary to address him by means of a petition presented … Continue reading “Petitions to the Holy See”

PETITION According to Dr. Watts, is the fourth part of prayer, and includes a desire of deliverance from evil, and a request of good things to be bestowed. On both these accounts petitions are to be offered up to God, not only for ourselves, but for our fellow-creatures also. This part of prayer is frequently … Continue reading “Petition”

Petitio principii or begging the question, is a fallacy involving the assumption as premisses of one or more propositions which are identical with (or in a simple fashion equivalent to) the conclusion to be proved, or which would require the conclusion for their proof, or which are stronger than the conclusion and contain it as … Continue reading “Petitio principii”

Petites Perceptions (Fr. little perceptions) Term by which Leibniz designates confused and unconscious perceptions. (Cf. The Monadology Sects. 21, 23 ) The Leibnizian theory of petites perceptions anticipates the modern theory of unconscious mind See Unconscious Mind. — L.W. Fuente: The Dictionary of Philosophy