Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Penn, Abram M.D., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in the county of Patrick, Va., in the year 1803. In early life he studied medicine, but while he was absent at Philadelphia, attending lectures, his wife died, which was the cause of his awakening. He at once began to seek Christ, gave … Continue reading “Penn, Abram”

Penknife ( , tdar has-sopher, Jer 36:23). The translation of this phrase by penknife, is substantially correct, but a more literal rendering, the scrivener’s knife, would have been preferable; this was used to sharpen the point of the writing-reed. SEE KNIFE; SEE WRITING. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature Penknife PENKNIFE.Mentioned only in … Continue reading “Penknife”

Penitents, Confraternities of Congregations with statutes prescribing deeds of penance and mercy, fasting, wearing rough garments, visiting the sick, burying the dead, dowering young girls, assisting prisoners, especially when condemned to death. They are classified by the color of the garb worn for processions and devotional exercises, as White, Grey, Blue, Black, Red, VIolet, Green. … Continue reading “Penitents, Confraternities of”

PENITENTS An appellation given to certain fraternities of penitents, distinguished by the different shape and colour of their habits. These are secular societies, who have their rules, statutes, and churches, and make public processions under their particular crosses or banners. Of these, it is said, there are more than a hundred, the most considerable of … Continue reading “Penitents (2)”

Penitentiary, Canon (Latin: prenitentia, penance) A member of the chapter at cathedral or collegiate churches, who acts as a general confessor of the diocese . He has ordinary jurisdiction in the internal forum, which power, however, he may not delegate to others, and may absolve residents and strangers in the diocese and subjects of the … Continue reading “Penitentiary, Canon”

PENITENTIARY In the ancient Christian church, a name given to certain presbyters or priests, appointed in every church to receive the private confessions of the people, in order to facilitate public discipline, by acquainting them what sins were to the expiated by public penance, and to appoint private penance for such private crimes as were … Continue reading “Penitentiary”

Penitentiaria, Sacred One of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia, is of very ancient but uncertain origin. The Cardinal Chief Penitentiary (pamitentiarius maior) generally exercises the complete jurisdiction of the tribunal. The other officials are the regent, who attends to minor business, the theologian (a Jesuit), the datary, the corrector, the sealer, the canonist, … Continue reading “Penitentiaria, Sacred”

penitential redemptions A system of atonement in vogue in the Church from about the end of the 8th to the end of the 11th century, whereby easier and shorter exercises were substituted for works of penance imposed by the early canons. It originated in England and, in another form, in Ireland. These substitutions assumed different … Continue reading “penitential redemptions”

penitential psalms Those which are most expressive of sorrow, repentance, and amendment, viz., 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, 142. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary Penitential Psalms These are usually reckoned seven. They are so called because they are regarded as specially expressive of sorrow for sin, and accepted by Christian devotion as forms of prayer … Continue reading “Penitential Psalms”

Penitential Priests officers appointed in many ancient churches, when private confession was introduced, for the purpose of hearing confessions and imposing penances. The office originated in the time of the Decian persecution, and was abolished by Nectarins, bishop of Constantinople. The example of Nectarius was followed by all the bishops of the East, but the … Continue reading “Penitential Priests”