Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Society of Mary (fathers) Religious order of priests and lay-brothers founded at Lyons in 1816 by Jean Claude Colin, approved by Pope Gregory XVI in 1836. The work of the order includes missions, both domestic and foreign, colleges for the education of youth, and seminaries for the training of clerics. In France the Marists developed … Continue reading “Society of Mary (fathers)”

Society of Marie Reparatrice Founded by Emilie d’Oultremont, Baroness d’Hoogvorst, in Strasburg in 1857. The purpose of the society is reparation for sin by a mixed life of contemplation and works for the spiritual good of others. The order includes houses of retreat, schools, lending libraries, study clubs, workrooms for the poor, orphanages, and dispensaries, … Continue reading “Society of Marie Reparatrice”

Society of Jesus, The (Company of Jesus, Jesuits) See also DISTINGUISHED JESUITS, JESUIT APOLOGETIC, EARLY JESUIT GENERALS, and four articles on the history of the Society: PRE-1750, 1750-1773, 1773-1814, and 1814-1912. The Society of Jesus is a religious order founded by Saint Ignatius Loyola. Designated by him “The Company of Jesus” to indicate its true … Continue reading “Society of Jesus, The”

Society of Jesus Also known as the Company of Jesus or the Jesuits. A body of clerics regular organized for Apostolic work, following a religious rule and relying on alms for their support. Founded at Montmartre, Paris, France in 1534 by Saint Ignatius Loyola, it was the chief instrument of the Catholic Reformation. Pope Paul … Continue reading “Society of Jesus”

Society of Friends (Orthodox) A group of religious bodies, including: the Orthodox Society of Friends; the Hicksite Society of Friends, dissenters under the leadership of Elias Hicks; the Wilburite Orthodox Conservative Friends, separatists under the leadership of John Wilbur; and the Religious Society of Friends of Philadelphia who seceded from the Wilburites. The religious movement … Continue reading “Society of Friends (Orthodox)”

Society of Foreign Missions of Paris A congregation based on the plans of Alexandre de Rhodes as represented to Pope Innocent X in 1650. His exposition of the needs of missions in the Far East, where he had labored since 1624, enlisted the pope’s cooperation and he was commissioned to select priests who could be … Continue reading “Society of Foreign Missions of Paris”

Society of Foreign Missions of Milan Founded in 1850 under the patronage of Pope Pius IX by Angelo Ramazzotti, then an Oblate Father of Rho (Milan), later Bishop of Pavia, and subsequently Patriarch of Venice. The society is a “Pious Association of Secular Priests,” who labor as missionaries in India, China, and Burma. They follow … Continue reading “Society of Foreign Missions of Milan”

Society Islands, Deities OF The accompanying figures, colossal busts, from fifteen to twenty feet high and from six to seven feet wide, are representations of the pagan deities originally found on these islands. They are of stone, and sometimes separate, sometimes grouped, and represent gods or deified progenitors. Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical … Continue reading “Society Islands, Deities OF”

Society, Gorres An association of Catholic scientists and lawyers founded at Coblenz, 1876 , by the poet, Alexander Kaufmann, to encourage the progress of science in Catholic Germany . It was named for Johann Joseph Gorres and has its headquarters at Bonn, although annual sessions are held in other cities. It conducts discussions and lectures … Continue reading “Society, Gorres”

Society for the Propagation of the Faith An international association for the assistance, by prayers and alms, of Catholic missionary priests, brothers, and nuns engaged in preaching the Gospel in non-Christian and non-Catholic countries. Founded on 3 May 1822, at a meeting called at Lyons, France, by Father Inglesi, Vicar-General of New Orleans, when the … Continue reading “Society for the Propagation of the Faith”