B
2,066 articles · English index · Indice italiano-
Bernward, Saint (BERNWARD, SANTO)
Bishop of Hildesheim (c. 960 - 1022). A descendant of a noble Saxon family, he was received by his uncle Folkmar, later bishop of Utrecht, at the cathedral… -
Beroius (Beroisus), Augustinus
Civilist and decretalist, b. in Bologna in 1474, d. 15 Sept. 1554. A layman, professor of civil law at Bologna in 1504; then in 1507 teacher of canon law. He… -
Berossus (BEROSSO)
Priest of Bel (Marduk) at the Babylonian temple É-sag-ila, b. ca. 340, d. at Cos, it seems, where in old age he repaired (according to Vitruvius, De… -
Berquin, Louis de
A nobleman of Artois, b. at Passy, near Paris, in 1499, d. in 1529. His defection from Catholicism to Protestantism was due to a quarrel of his with the… -
Berretta
I. ECCLESIASTICAL BIRETTA. - It is a head-covering for the clergy, originating from the need to protect oneself against the cold during the choral office and… -
Berrettini, Pietro
BERRETTINI, PIETRO : v. PIETRO da CORTONA. -
Berrio-Ochoa, Valentin, Blessed (BERRIO-OCHOA, VALENTÍN, BEATO)
Dominican martyr in Tonkin. One of the eight martyrs beatified by Pius X in 1906 (v. ANNAMITI, MARTIRI). Born on 14 Nov. 1827 at Elorrio in Biscay (Spain) and… -
Berruguete, Pedro and Alonso (BERRUGUETE, PEDRO E ALONSO)
PEDRO, painter, b. at Paredes de Nava (Palencia) around 1450, d. before 1505. He trained in the Flemish tradition; then Piero della Francesca and Melozzo da… -
Berruyer, Isaac-Joseph (BERRUYIER, ISAAC-JOSEPH)
Exegete, b. at Rouen on 7 Nov. 1681, entered the Society of Jesus at a young age, d. at Paris on 18 Feb. 1758. Wishing to spread the study of biblical history… -
Bersabee (BERSABEA)
One of the most ancient localities of Palestine, to which are linked the names of the first Patriarchs, who repeatedly pitched their tents there. The Hebrew… -
Berse (Barzeg), Gaspar
Disciple and companion of St. Francis Xavier, b. at Goes (Holland) in 1515. After a restless youth, he entered the Society of Jesus at Coimbra (1546) and… -
Bersuire (Bressuire), Pietro
Benedettino, n. a St.-Pierre du Chemin toward the end of the 13th century, d. in Paris in 1362. He entered the Franciscan Order young, but left it to pass… -
Bertaldo, Iacopo
Bishop of Veglia, d. in Venice, 3 April 1315. His name appears for the first time in a document of 1295. There he figures as a notary and priest of the parish… -
Bertano, Pietro
Bishop and cardinal, b. at Nonantola (Modena) on 4 Nov. 1501, d. at Rome on 8 March 1558. A valued diplomat and a capable theologian. A Dominican at Modena in… -
Bertarius (BERTARIO)
Chronicler, priest of Verdun and canon of St. Vanne (c. 917). He wrote, at the commission of his bishop Dado, the Gesta episcoporum Viridunensium (332-887) in… -
Bertarius of Montecassino, Saint (BERTARIO DI MONTECASSINO, SANTO)
He is one of the most remarkable figures in Italy in the Carolingian era. Of probably Lombard stock - Berthari is the original form of the name - he was… -
Bertaut, Jean
French bishop and poet, b. at Donnay, diocese of Bayeux, in 1552, d. at Séez (Savoy) on 8 June 1611. Thanks to his learning he was held in great honor by Henry… -
Bertazzoli, Francesco
Cardinal, b. at Lugo on 1 May 1754, d. at Rome on 7 Apr. 1830; he studied theology in Bologna and in 1777 received Holy Orders. He was one of the persons who… -
Bertelli, Leopoldo
Barnabite, in religion Father Timoteo, born in Bologna on 26 October 1826 and died at the "Alla Querce" college in Florence on 6 February 1905. Physicist and… -
Berthier, Guillaume-Joseph
French Jesuit, historian, publicist and ascetical author, b. at Issoudun on 7 April 1704, entered the religious life in 1722, d. at Bourges on 15 December… -
Berthier, Jean-Baptiste
Missionary of Our Lady of "La Salette", founder of the Missionaries of the Holy Family (v.), b. at Châtonnay (Isère) on 24 Feb. 1840, d. at Grave (North… -
Berthier, Joachim
Born on 31 Dec. 1848 at Talloires near Annecy (Savoy), died on 21 Dec. 1924 at Fribourg (Switzerland). Educated at the college of La Roche, having received the… -
Berthieu, Jacques
Missionary who died for the faith in Madagascar. Born at Polminhac (Auvergne) on 26 November 1838 and ordained priest in 1864, he was vicar at Roannes; having… -
Berthold of Henneberg (BERTOLDO DI HENNEBERG)
Archbishop and Elector of Mainz, b. in 1441, d. on 21 Dec. 1504. In 1484 he was named Archbishop of Mainz and consecrated by Innocent VIII on 20 May 1485. He… -
Berthold of Ratisbon (BERTOLDO DA RATISBONA)
The best German preacher of the Middle Ages, b. at Ratisbon shortly before 1210, d. there on 14 Dec. 1272. Having entered the Franciscans in the Bavarian… -
Berthold von Regensburg (BERTHOLD VON REGENBURG)
He was the most famous German preacher of the 13th century, born in Regensburg around 1210 and died there in 1272. Having entered the Franciscan Order around… -
Bertieri, Giuseppe
Augustinian bishop and theologian, b. at Ceva, in Piedmont, on 9 Nov. 1734, d. at Pavia on 5 July 1804. A religious at the age of 20, he taught in various… -
Berti, Giovanni Lorenzo
Theologian of the Hermit Order of St. Augustine, a leading representative of the Augustinian school in the 18th century. Born at Seravezza on 27 June 1696… -
Bertini, Giovanni Maria
Dominican theologian, b. in Palermo around 1610, d. there in the odor of sanctity on 15 February 1669. He entered the Dominicans of Palermo at a young age and… -
Bertini, Pacio and Giovanni (BERTINI, PACIO E GIOVANNI)
BERTINI, PACIO e GIOVANNI: v. PACIO e GIOVANNI da FIRENZE. -
Bertinoro, Diocese of (BERTINORO, DIOCESI DI)
In Romagna, in the province of Forlì, suffragan of Ravenna. It is identified with the ancient Cesubium or Sussubium, mentioned among the donations of Pepin to… -
Bertinoro, 'Obhadhjāh
Rabbinic writer, died in Jerusalem between 1500 and 1510. In 1485 he left Città di Castello to move to Jerusalem, where he became rabbi honoris causa and head… -
Bertin, Saint (BERTINO, SANTO)
Second abbot of Sithiu on the river Aa, where the Irish rule and customs of St. Columbanus were followed. He appears for the first time in 674-75 as a… -
Bertola de' Giorgi, Aurelio
Polymath and poet, b. at Rimini on 4 Aug. 1753, d. there on 30 June 1798. An Olivetan monk, then a soldier in Hungary; he returned to the Order and was sent as… -
Bertoldi, Carlo Michele
Missionary, b. at Valperga (Piedmont), 20 Oct. 1660; a Jesuit on 9 July 1681, he embarked in 1697 for India. Assigned in 1702 to the Madura mission, he had… -
Bertoldi, Giovanni da Serravalle
Franciscan Dante scholar, b. at Serravalle (Republic of San Marino) ca. 1350, d. at Fano in 1445. As a young man he heard the Commedia expounded, perhaps at… -
Bertoldo di Giovanni
Sculptor and medallist, b. in Florence in 1420, d. in 1491. A disciple of Donatello, he collaborated with the master on the base of the Judith and on other… -
Bertoldo of Moosburg (Moosburg, Maisberch) (BERTOLDO DI MOSBURG (MOOSBURG, MAISBERCH))
Dominican scholastic of the first half of the 16th century. Perhaps a disciple of Dietrich of Freiberg (de Wulf), he taught at Cologne. In 1318 he wrote a… -
Bertoldo of Reichenau (BERTOLDO DI REICHENAU)
Chronicler, died, according to the testimony of Bernold of Constance, on 12 March 1088, at an advanced age. A disciple of Herman Contractus, he was a monk of… -
Bertoldo of Rohrbach (BERTOLDO DI ROHRBACH)
Heretic who lived in the first half of the 14th century, burned at Speyer in 1356 by order of the Inquisition. A fanatical follower of the false mysticism… -
Bertoldo, Saint (BERTOLDO, SANTO)
First prior general of the Carmelites, b. at Solignac (Limoges, France) and descended from the noble Malefaida family; already a priest, he went around 1142 to… -
Bertoli, Giandomenico
Archaeologist, b. at Meretto near Udine on 13 March 1676, d. at Aquileia on 22 March 1763. He was a canon of Aquileia and studied with zeal and intelligence… -
Bertolotti, Giulio
Abbot General of the Cistercians, b. at Chiusa in 1608 and d. on 16 May 1682. Having entered at a very young age a monastery of the Congregation of the… -
Bertoni, Gaspar, Venerable (BERTONI, GASPARE, VENERABILE)
Founder of the Stigmatines, born in Verona on 9 October 1777, died there on 12 June 1853. As a young priest, he introduced the Marian oratories into his city… -
Bertonio, Luigi
Jesuit missionary and distinguished linguist. Born at Rocca Contrada in the March of Ancona around 1555, he entered the Society of Jesus in Rome in 1574 and… -
Bertot, Abbé
French priest, b. in Normandy around 1620, a friend of Jean de Bernières, and d. in 1681; he was one of the first directors of Madame Guyon (v.). His… -
Bertram, Adolf
Cardinal, b. March 14, 1859, in Hildesheim, d. July 6, 1945, in Breslau. He devoted himself to philosophical and theological studies at the Universities of… -
Bertrand, Joseph
French Jesuit and missionary, b. at Fréland (Haut-Rhin, Alsace) on 9 Nov. 1801, d. at Notre-Dame de Liesse (Ain) on 13 Jan. 1884. A Jesuit from 1823, he… -
Bertrand, Louis
Writer, b. at Spincourt on 20 March 1866, d. at Antibes on 6 Dec. 1941; he returned to religious practice in 1906, during a journey in the East. He wrote many… -
Bertrando del Poggetto (Bertrand du Poujet)
Born at Castelnau-Montattier (Lot) ca. 1280, died February 1, 1352, cardinal bishop of Ostia. He owed his rapid career to John XXII, of whom he was once… -
Bertrando de Turre
Franciscan, cardinal, homiletic writer, b. ca. 1265-70 from the noble de la Tour family at Camboulit near Figeac (Lot), d. at the end of 1332 or the beginning… -
Bertrando di Saint-Geniès (Diocese of Cahors), Blessed (BERTRANDO DI SAINT-GENIÈS (DIOCESI DI CAHORS), BEATO)
A doctor of law at Toulouse and an auditor of the Rota, he was appointed patriarch of Aquileia by John XXII on 8 July 1334 and reached his see on 28 October.… -
Bertrand, Pierre (Bertrandus, Petrus)
French decretalist, d. June 23, 1348 or June 24, 1349. He studied at the University of Orléans. He taught canon law at Avignon, Montpellier, Orléans and lastly… -
Bertran, Luis, Saint (BERTRAN, LUIS, SANTO)
BERTRAN, LUIS, santo: v. LUIGI BERTRÁN, saint. -
Bertrin, Georges
French priest and writer, b. at St-Bazeille on 5 July 1851, d. at Marmande on 12 July 1924. He was first vicar of Marmande, then professor at the seminary of… -
Bertulf of Bobbio, Saint (BERTOLFO DI BOBBIO, SANTO)
Born into a noble pagan Frankish family, he entered the monastery of Luxeuil. With Abbot Attala he went to Bobbio, where in 627 he became abbot; he strove… -
Bertulf of Renty, Saint (BERTOLFO DI RENTY, SANTO)
Born under Sigebert (639-56) of a pagan German family; having gone to Thérouanne (Belgium) and received Baptism there, he became the steward of Count Wambert… -
Bérulle, Pierre de
Cardinal, founder of the Oratory of France, b. 4 Feb. 1575 in the castle of Serilly (near Troyes), d. in Paris 2 Oct. 1629. He completed his studies with the… -
Berzé, Hugh de (BERZÉ, HUGUES DE)
Burgundian trouvère, active between the 12th and 13th centuries, author of a satirical-moral poem of 838 verses (Bible), in which, narrating the history of the… -
Berzelius, Jöns Jacob
Swedish chemist, b. at Våversunda on 20 Aug. 1779, d. at Stockholm on 2 Aug. 1848. Through scientific industry, experimental precision and fervent genius he… -
Berzellai (BERZELLAI)
A wealthy landowner of Rogelim in Gilead. He hosted David as a fugitive because of Absalom's rebellion (II Sam. 17:27). Later invited by the grateful king to… -
Berzi, Angelo
Bergamasque theologian, b. at Chiuduno on 8 May 1815 and d. there on 10 Jan. 1884. He completed his studies at the seminary of Bergamo and, having been… -
Besançon, Archdiocese of (BESANÇON, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
It extends over 11,200 sq km in the two departments of Haute-Saône and Doubs. It has 560,000 Catholics out of a population of 587,476 inhabitants; 888… -
Besant, Annie
Theosophist, b. in London on 1 Oct. 1847, d. at Adyar (Madras) on 20 Sept. 1933. From an Irish Protestant family, at the age of 21 she married the minister F.… -
Beschi, Costanzo Giuseppe
Missionary and linguist of the Society of Jesus, b. at Castiglione della Stiviere on 8 Nov. 1680, d. at Ambalacate on 4 Feb. 1747. Having entered the novitiate… -
Beseleel (BESELEEL)
Son of Uri, of the tribe of Judah, he was the chief craftsman (Ex. 31:1-11; 35:30-35; 37:1-38) of the Tabernacle of the covenant, and of all the sacred… -
Besoigne, Jérôme
Jansenist theologian, b. in Paris in 1686 and d. there on 25 Jan. 1763. A priest in 1715 and a doctor of theology in 1718, he taught philosophy at the Collège… -
Besozzi, Giampietro
Ascetical writer, b. in Milan of a noble family in 1503, d. there in the odour of sanctity in 1584. He belonged to the roll of the city's notaries and… -
Bessarion (BESSARIONE)
Greek cardinal, metropolitan of Nicaea, b. in the region of Trebizond on 2 Jan. 1402, to parents of humble condition, baptized with the name Basil (?).… -
Bessarione
A periodical of Oriental studies published in Rome from 1896 to 1923, founded by Monsignor, later Cardinal, Niccolò Marini (1843-1923). Drawing inspiration… -
Besse, Jean-Martial
Benedictine, b. at Saint-Angel (Corrèze) on 29 Oct. 1861, d. at Ligugé on 26 July 1920. In 1885 he was ordained a priest in the abbey of St-Martin at Ligugé… -
Besse, Léon
Jesuit missionary, b. 27 March 1853 at Périgueux, d. 3 May 1919 at Madras. Having entered the Toulouse province of the Society already as a priest (1881), he… -
Bessel, Johann Georg
Benedictine monk, b. at Buchheim (Electorate of Mainz) on 5 Sept. 1672, d. at Göttweig (Lower Austria) on 20 (or 22) Jan. 1749. Abbot of Göttweig (7 Feb. 1714)… -
Bessi
A population of Thracian stock living in the time of Strabo on the plain between the mountain groups of the Haemus (Balkans) and the Rhodope (Eastern Rumelia).… -
Besson, François-Nicolas-Louis
Bishop of Nîmes, b. at Baume-les-Dames on 5 Oct. 1821, d. at Nîmes on 18 Nov. 1888. He studied at the seminary of Besançon and was ordained a priest on 17… -
Besson, Joseph-Antoine
Priest and historian, b. at Flumet (Savoy) on 10 Feb. 1717, d. at Chapeiry, in the diocese of Geneva, on 26 March 1763. Ordained priest in 1741, he was… -
Besson, Marius
Historian and writer, bishop of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg, b. in Turin on 28 June 1876, but a native of Chapelle-sur-Moudon (canton of Vaud, Switzerland)… -
Bestiality (BESTIALITÀ)
BESTIALITÀ: v. LUSSURIA. -
Bestiaries (BESTIARI)
Didactic-moral books of the Middle Ages, in Latin or in the vernacular, in verse or in prose, containing the description of several dozen animals (quadrupeds… -
Besztercebánya (BESZTEREZEBANYA)
BESZTEREZEBANYA : v. NEOSOLIO. -
Betanzos, Domingo de
Born in León in 1480, he studied at Salamanca; he lived for some time as a hermit on the island of Ponza, then became a Dominican at Salamanca (1510). A priest… -
Bethabara
Name that Origen (PG 14, 270) substituted for "Bethany" in Jn. 1:28, since he had not traced any locality of this name on the eastern bank of the Jordan, from… -
Bethania
Name of two localities in Palestine. 1) A village near Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, 15 stadia (about 2,800 m) from Jerusalem (Jn.… -
Bethany (BETANIA)
BETANIA : v. BETHANIA. -
Bethel (BETHEL)
Name given by Jacob to the place where he had the vision of the ladder and the angels while he was journeying to Meso- potamia to escape the wrath of Esau… -
Bethencourt, Pedro de San José de, Venerable (BÉTHENCOURT, PEDRO DE SAN JOSÉ DE, VENERABILE)
Franciscan tertiary, founder of the Bethlehemites, suppressed by the Cortes in 1820, b. at Vilaflor (Tenerife, Canary Islands) on 21 March 1626, d. at… -
Bethesda
BETHESDA: v. BETHSAIDA. -
Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM: v. BETLEMME. -
Bethlehem, Apostolic Vicariate of (BETLEMME, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
It was erected in 1948 with the western zone of the apostolic vicariate of Kroonstad (South Africa), where the Dutch Dominican fathers had been working since… -
Bethlehem (BETLEMME)
A city of the tribe of Judah, in which Jesus Christ was born. It is situated 8 km. south of Jerusalem, on two hills at 777 m. above the level of the… -
Bethlehemites (BETLEMITI)
Chivalric orders and religious congregations. I. - This name is borne by certain chivalric orders, among which are remembered the order of the B. at Cambridge… -
Bethlehem of Galilee (BETLEMME DI GALILEA)
A city of the tribe of Zebulun. In Jos. 19:15, among the cities assigned to this tribe, a locality named B. is mentioned (LXX: A Βαυθάμ, B Βαυθάμ). In Judg.… -
Bethlehem, Society for Foreign Missions of (BETLEMME, SOCIETÀ PER LE MISSIONI ESTERE DI)
It is the Swiss institute for the foreign missions with its seat at Immensee. It was founded, on the remnants of a declining "apostolic school," by Peter… -
Bethlen, Gábor
Prince of Transylvania, b. in 1580 into a very ancient Hungarian family, d. in 1629. He spent his youth at the court of Sigismund Báthory and later became one… -
Bethoron (BETHORON)
Name of a district, probably a valley, to be sought east of the Jordan (II Sam. 2:29), and of a double city (upper and lower), Heb. Beth-hōrōn, situated in the… -
Bethphage (BETHPHAGE)
Village to which Jesus sent two of his disciples to fetch the donkey on which he made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mt. 21:1; Mk. 11:1; Lk. 19:29). In… -
Bethsabee (BETHSAIBA)
Wife of Uriah the Hittite (II Sam. 11, 3). She was sinfully loved by David, who seduced her, then had her husband Uriah put to death (v.). God punished the… -
Bethsaida (BETHSAIDA)
A locality in Galilee, the homeland of Philip, Andrew and Peter (Jn. 1:44; 12:21). In Mk. 8:23, 26, B. is presented as a village; elsewhere in the Gospels it… -
Bethsaida (Bethesda, Bezatha, Bethzatha)
Pool in Jerusalem, near which Jesus healed the paralytic who had been ill for 38 years (Jn. 5:1-9). The Greek text (the Vulgate is inaccurate) says it was near… -
Bethsames (BETHSAMES)
Name of three Palestinian localities. 1. - A priestly city on the northern border of the tribe of Judah between Cheslon and Thamna (Josh. 15:10; 21:16)… -
Beth-shan (BETHSAN)
A Palestinian city, whose Hebrew name means "house of rest"; but today it is preferred to see a divine name in the second element, commonly šān or šāhan… -
Bethsur
Palestinian city (Heb. Beth-šūr "house of the rock"), Gk. Βεθαούρ(α), Arabic Bejt Šūr. It belonged to the tribe of Judah (Jos. 15, 58; cf. I Par. 2, 45), and… -
Bethulia (BETHULIA)
The place where Judith lived, situated on a mountain with a spring at its foot, overlooking the plain of Dothain. The parenetic character attributed to the… -
Bética (BETICA)
BETICA: v. SPAGNA. -
Betilo (BETĪLO)
Current etymology from the Hebrew bēth-ēl "house of El (God)," rendered in Greek as βατθαός, βατθάλον, in Latin as baetilos. This name is given: 1) to stones… -
Betrothal (FIDANZAMENTO)
FIDANZAMENTO: v. SPONSALI. -
Betrothal (SPONSALI)
They are the act by which the parties mutually bind themselves to contract marriage with each other thereafter, that is, the bilateral promise of marriage… -
Bettazzi, Rodolfo
Teacher, educator, apostle of action for the defense of morality, b. in Florence on Nov. 14, 1861, d. in Turin, on Jan. 26, 1941. A resident of Turin, where he… -
Bettiah, Former Apostolic Prefecture of (BETTIAH, EX PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI)
Apostolic prefecture erected in 1892, to whose territory, the following year, the entire kingdom of Nepal was annexed. The mission was entrusted to the… -
Betti, Bernardino
BETTI, BERNARDINO: v. PINTURICCHIO. -
Bettinelli, Saverio
Jesuit, man of letters, b. at Mantua on 18 July 1718, d. there on 13 Sept. 1808. Having entered the Society in 1736, he taught literature in the colleges of… -
Betting and Gambling (SCOMMESSA E GIUOCHI D'AZZARDO)
A bet is a bilateral aleatory contract, by which two persons, disagreeing about the truth or the outcome of a matter, promise each other a prize (sum, stake)… -
Bettinger, Franziskus
Cardinal, b. at Landstuhl (Palatinate) on 17 Sept. 1850, d. on 13 Apr. 1917 in Munich. Ordained priest in 1873, he devoted himself to the exercise of the… -
Bettini (Bertieri), Antonio
Bishop and member of the Jesuati, b. at Siena in June 1396, d. there on 22 Oct. 1487. At Siena he received his doctorate in canon law and taught. In 1439 he… -
Bettini, Elena
Foundress of the institute of the Daughters of Divine Providence (v.), born in Rome on 6 January 1814, died there on 21 December 1894. She devoted her whole… -
Bettona
Ancient episcopal city of Umbria, in the province of Perugia. It is the Umbrian-Etruscan Vettona. A famous legend of Umbrian hagiography, written after the… -
Betulia
BETULIA: v. BETHULIA. -
Beudin, Corneille
Jesuit missionary, b. at Gravelines (now in French Flanders, then in the Catholic Netherlands) in 1615, d. for the faith at Papigochic (Mexico) on June 4… -
Beuron
Archabbey of St. Martin (Hohenzollern, Germany). From 1077 it was a priory of Lateran Canons, which later became an abbey in 1687 and was suppressed in 1803.… -
Beust, Friedrich Ferdinand
Protestant diplomat and statesman, b. in Dresden on 13 Jan. 1809, d. at Altenberg on 24 Dec. 1886. Having earned a degree in law, he entered diplomacy in 1836… -
Bevagna
Ancient episcopal see of Umbria, in the province of Perugia, situated at the confluence of the Clitunno and the Topino. It is the ancient Mevania; conquered by… -
Beveregius, Guillelmus (Beveridge, William) (BEVEREGIUS, GUILLELMUS (BEVERIDGE WILLIAM))
English Protestant theologian and orientalist; b. at Banow (Leicestershire) in 1638, d. on 3 March 1708. He belonged to a family of clergymen and himself took… -
Bevignate (BEVIGNATE (BEVIGNATE))
Benedictine, architect, b. in Perugia around 1240, d. perhaps in his nineties. In 1277 he is remembered together with the sculptors Nicola and Giovanni Pisano… -
Beyzym, Jan
Polish Jesuit, missionary and victim of charity, born at Beyzym in Podolia on 15 May 1850, entered the novitiate of Staravies on 11 Dec. 1872, ordained priest… -
Beza, Theodore (BEZA, TEODORO)
Protestant scholar (Théodore de Bèze), disciple and collaborator of Calvin, b. at Vézelay (Burgundy) on 24 June 1519, d. at Geneva on 13 Oct. 1605. The last of… -
Bezetha (Βηζαθα, Βηζεθα, Βεσαθη)
The highest of the 4 hills of Jerusalem mentioned by Flavius Josephus (Bell. Iud., II, 11, 6; 15, 5; 19, 4; V, 4, 2; 5, 8; 6, 2; Antiq. Iud., XIX, 7, 2), which… -
Béziers, Diocese of (BÉZIERS, DIOCESI DI)
B., included among the territories of the province of Narbonne first in the Notitia Galliarum, is today the seat of a subprefecture in the department of… -
Bezwada [Vijayawada], Diocese of (BEZWADA, DIOCESI DI)
In India, a suffragan of Madras, it embraces the civil districts of Kistna and West Godavari, plus three districts of East Godavari. The population is… -
Bhagavadgītā (BHĀGAVADGĪTĀ)
The "Song of the Blessed One" is a didactic poem of 700 stanzas, inserted in Book VI of the Mahābhārata, chaps. 23-40 according to the critical edition of… -
Bhakti
From the Sanskrit root bhaj ("to adore"), it is in Brahmanical and Hinduistic India the attitude of mystical devotion toward a particular divinity. Already… -
Bhamo, Apostolic Prefecture of (BHAMO, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI)
It was erected in 1938 with territory detached from the vicariate of Northern Burma (which on that occasion had its name changed to that of Mandalay). It is… -
Bhutan
Small Himalayan state, of 50,000 sq km, enclosed between Tibet, Sikkim and Assam; independent in name, in fact under British control. It is entirely… -
Bialyk, Chajim Nachman
The greatest contemporary Hebrew poet. Born in Radi (Volhynia) on January 9, 1873, died in Vienna on July 6, 1934. His poetic activity continued… -
Bianchi, Andrea
Missionary and architect, b. in 1677 in northern Italy (at Chiampo near Vicenza?), entered the Society of Jesus in Rome in 1716 as a coadjutor brother, and… -
Bianchi, Brothers (BIANCHI, FRATELLI)
BIANCHI, FRATELLI: V. FRATELLI BIANCHI. -
Bianchi, Confraternity of (BIANCHI, CONFRATERNITA DEI)
Penitents, dressed in white, widespread in Italy in the last years of the 14th century. In Chieri, as the Chronicon parvum Ripaltus recounts, some commoners… -
Bianchi, Francesco Saverio Maria, Blessed (BIANCHI, FRANCESCO SAVERIO MARIA, BEATO)
Barnabite, b. at Arpino on 2 Dec. 1743 and d. on 31 Jan. 1815 at Naples, where he is buried in the church of S. Giuseppe a Pontecorvo. He was for many years… -
Bianchi, Giovanni Antonio
Scholar, theologian and jurist, b. at Lucca on 2 Oct. 1686 and d. at Rome on 17 Jan. 1768. He entered the Franciscan Order and became a lecturer in philosophy… -
Bianchini, Francesco
Born on 13 Dec. 1662 in Verona, died on 2 March 1729 in Rome, where he went after his studies in Bologna and Padua. Although he had only the minor orders, he… -
Bianchini, Giuseppe
Historian, archaeologist, b. in Verona on 9 Sept. 1704, d. in Rome on 13 Oct. 1764. In 1732 he entered the Congregation of the Oratory in Rome, where Benedict… -
Bianco (di Santi), Blessed, of Siena (BIANCO (DI SANTI) DA SIENA)
Mystical poet, Gesuato, one of the most remarkable figures of the movement begun by the blessed Colombini and the finest religious lyric poet of the second… -
Bianconi, Giacomo, Blessed (BIANCONI, GIACOMO, BEATO)
Born on 7 March 1220 at Bevagna, died there on 22 Aug. 1301; a Dominican in 1236 at Spoleto, he studied at Perugia. He founded the convent of his town, of… -
Biard, Pierre
French Jesuit, one of the initiators of the Society's missions in "New France." Born in Grenoble in 1567 and having entered religious life in 1583, he had been… -
BIBAUX (BIBAUT, BIBANCE, meglio BIEBUYCK), GUILLAUME
BIBAUX (BIBAUT, BIBANCE, meglio BIEBUYCK), GUILLAUME: v. BIEBUYCK, GUILLAUME. -
Bibbiena, Bernardo da
BIBBIENA, BERNARDO da: v. DOVIZI BERNARDO. -
Bibiena, Family of (BIBIENA, FAMIGLIA)
Theatrical architects and decorators, surnamed Galli, originally from Bibbiena. The founder of the family was GIOVANNI MARIA; apprenticed in Albani's workshop… -
Bible (BIBBIA)
Collection of books held sacred, in a number differing between the Hebrews and the Christians. SUMMARY: I. Names and divisions. - II. Sacred character. - III.… -
Biblia Pauperum
A devotional book containing representations of the principal scenes of the life of Jesus, depicted according to the medieval conception, that is, according to… -
Biblical (BIBLICA)
Quarterly journal of the Pontifical Biblical Institute of Rome (v.). Announced among the purposes of the new institution from its very beginnings, with the… -
Biblical Anthropomorphism (ANTROPOMORFISMO BIBLICO)
It is the depiction of God made in the sacred books, especially of the Old Testament, in "human form," either with bodily organs or phenomena of sensory life… -
Biblical Archaeology (ARCHEOLOGIA BIBLICA)
The science of biblical antiquities, that is, of the civilization of the Jewish people in the time of the Old and New Testaments. SUMMARY: I. Notions and… -
Biblical Canon (CANONE BIBLICO)
CANONE BIBLICO: v. BIBLIA. -
Biblical Chains (CATENE BIBLICHE)
A title, neither original nor appropriate, given to commentaries on the Bible formed from extracts from various authors. The first compilers called them more… -
Biblical Chronology (CRONOLOGIA BIBLICA)
A) OLD TESTAMENT. - The Old Testament, not being a history book that presents events systematically and in chronological order, does not give a continuous and… -
Biblical Concordances (CONCORDANZE BIBLICHE)
Collections, arranged in alphabetical order, of the various words or ideas of the Bible. The individual words or ideas are reported in their immediate context… -
Biblical Correctors (Correctoria Biblica) (CORRETTORI BIBLICI (CORRECTORIA BIBLICA))
Critical works carried out in the 13th-15th centuries to eliminate from the codices of the Vulgate (v.) the errors that had been accumulating in them. The text… -
Biblical Cosmogony (COSMOGONIA BIBLICA)
COSMOGONIA BIBLICA: v. ESAMERONE. -
Biblical Cosmography (COSMOGRAFIA BIBLICA)
The ancient Hebrews had ideas about the structure of the world consonant with those then widespread in the East. They depicted the earth as a flat and round… -
Biblical Criticism (CRITICA BIBLICA)
Criticism, or the art of distinguishing the true from the false, when applied to a literary work, sets out to establish its authenticity (who its author is)… -
Biblical Exegesis (ESEGESI BIBLICA)
ESEGESI BIBLICA: v. INTERPRETAZIONE. -
Biblical Interpretation (INTERPRETAZIONE BIBLICA)
The science that studies and expresses the principles and norms for rightly understanding the Bible, and is called hermeneutics from the Greek ἑρμηνευτική… -
Biblical Introduction (INTRODUZIONE BIBLICA)
The science that provides the knowledge necessary for the reading and interpretation of the Bible (v.). The name "i." was used for the first time in its Greek… -
Biblical Senses (SENSI BIBLICI)
"Sense" is the name given to the meaning that a given phrase takes on when considered in its context, or to the thing expressed in that phrase on the… -
Biblical Studies (ESTUDIOS BÍBLICOS)
Organ of the A(ssociation for the) F(urtherance of) B(iblical) E(studies in) S(pain), Madrid. A quarterly publication of biblical research. Two periods: 1)… -
Bibliographic Classification, Systems of (CLASSIFICAZIONE BIBLIOGRAFICA, SISTEMI DI)
The need for a systematic ordering of bibliographic material for the purpose of immediate retrieval gave rise to special systems of bibliographic… -
Biblische Zeitschrift
A journal of biblical studies, published from 1903 by the Herder publishing house of Freiburg im Breisgau, in connection with the Biblische Studien, a series… -
Bicchieri, Guala
Cardinal, b. at Vercelli around the middle of the 12th century, d. at Rome on 31 May 1227. He entered as a very young man among the canons of St. Eusebius… -
Bichi, Alessandro
Cardinal, b. in Siena in 1596, d. in Rome in 1657. In 1628 he was elected bishop of Isola and sent as nuncio to Naples with the principal task of bringing the… -
Bichier des Ages, Jeanne Elisabeth, Saint (GIOVANNA ELISABETTA BICHIER DES AGES, SANTA)
Co-foundress of the Daughters of the Cross, called Sisters of St. Andrew, b. 5 July 1773, in the ancestral castle "des Ages," on the borders of Berry and… -
Bichi, Vincenzo
Cardinal, b. in Siena in 1668, d. in Rome in 1750. In 1703 he was sent as nuncio to Switzerland and from there in 1709 to Portugal. At first he was not in the… -
Bickell, Gustav
Orientalist, b. in Protestantism on July 7, 1838 in Kassel, d. January 15, 1906 in Vienna. In 1862 a Privatdozent of Semitic philology at Marburg, in 1865 he… -
Biddle, Giovanni
English Protestant, called "Father of the English Unitarians", b. at Wotton-Under-Edge (Gloucestershire), d. in London in 1662. After finishing his studies at… -
Bidermann, Jakob
German Jesuit and man of letters, the most representative author of the famous "Jesuit theater," b. at Ehingen (Württemberg) in 1578, d. at Rome on 20 Aug.… -
Biebuyck (Bibautx, Bibaut, Bibance), Guillaume
General (36th) of the Carthusian Order, d. July 24, 1535. B. at Thielt, in Flanders. Around 1500 he took the religious habit at the Charterhouse of Ghent; in… -
Bieda [Blera] (BIEDA)
Ancient episcopal city of Latium, in the province of Viterbo, rising on a tuff plateau at the confluence of the Biedano stream and the Rio Canale; it is… -
Biederlack, Joseph
Jesuit, b. at Greven (Westphalia) on 27 March 1845, d. at Innsbruck on 15 Nov. 1930. Professor in the theological faculty of Innsbruck and in the Gregorian… -
Biedermann, Alois Emanuel
Swiss Protestant theologian, b. at Bendlikon near Winterthur on 2 March 1819 and d. at Zurich on 25 Jan. 1885. In 1837 he studied theology at Basel, then, in… -
Biel, Gabriel
German theologian and philosopher, called "the last of the Scholastics". Born at Speyer between 1410 and 1425, died at Schönbuch in 1495. He studied at… -
Biella, Diocese of (BIELLA, DIOCESI DI)
City of Piedmont, province of Vercelli, called Buiella or Bugella in documents. It was erected into a diocese by Clement XIV, at the request of Charles… -
Biester, Johann Erich
Philosopher, b. in Lübeck on 17 Nov. 1749, d. in Berlin on 20 Febr. 1816. He belonged to the circle of Mendelssohn and Nicolai, and was animated by the spirit… -
Biffi, Eugenio
Of the Institute of Foreign Missions of Milan, bishop of Cartagena (Colombia). Born in Milan on 22 Dec. 1829, as a seminarian in 1848 he took an active part in… -
Biffi, Gian Andrea
Sculptor, active in Milan, where he died in 1631. A pupil of Brambilla, he adhered to the prevailing mannerist taste. From 1599 to 1629 he worked for the… -
Bifora
This is the name given to any window with two adjacent openings, generally divided by a small column, and enclosed in a single architectural frame, whether… -
Bigamy (BIGAMIA)
I. GENERAL NOTIONS. - Under this name (etymologically: "double marriage") are indicated, in theology and in canon law, various facts > (photo Aldo… -
Bigandet, Paul-Ambroise
Vicar apostolic of southern Burma, b. at Malans (France) on 13 Aug. 1813, he entered the Paris Foreign Missions in 1836, and set out in 1837 for Siam. In 1841… -
Bigard, Jeanne and Stephanie (BIGARD, JEANNE E STEPHANIE)
Mother and daughter, foundresses of the "Work of St. Peter the Apostle for the Native Clergy." The mother, Stephanie, b. at Mortagne (diocese of Séez) on 5… -
Bigarelli, Guido
BIGARELLI, GUIDO: v. GUIDO da COMO. -
Biglia (de Bilis), Andrea
Theologian and humanist, b. in Milan around 1395, d., it seems, in the last months of 1435. While still a boy he entered the Augustinian order. He became a… -
Biglia, Melchiorre
Apostolic nuncio, b. in Milan, d. in Prague in Apr. 1571. Of an ancient and noble family, he was a friend of Cardinal Gian Angelo de' Medici, later pope under… -
Bigoni, Angelo
Theologian, preacher and prolific ascetical writer, of the Conventual Friars Minor, b. at Corfu on 17 Feb. 1779, d. at Padua, in repute of sanctity, on 3 March… -
Bigordi, Domenico
BIGORDI, DOMENICO: v. GHIRLANDAIO. -
Bihlmeyer, Karl
Dean of the faculty of Catholic Theology at the University of Tübingen, b. in 1874, d. there on 27 March 1942. He studied at that University under the guidance… -
Bikoro, Apostolic Prefecture of (BIKORO, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI)
On 10 September 1926 the first Lazarists arrived at B. (Belgian Congo) to evangelize the district of the same name, situated along the middle Congo, shortly… -
Bildt, Carl Nils Daniel
Swedish diplomat and historian, b. in Stockholm on 15 May 1850, d. on 26 Jan. 1931 in Rome. Ambassador of Sweden to the Quirinal from 1889 to 1902 and from… -
Bilio, Luigi
Cardinal, b. 25 March 1826 in Alessandria (Piedmont), d. 30 Jan. 1884 in Rome. Of a very poor family (his father was a shoemaker, his mother a vegetable… -
Bilivert (Biliverti), Giovanni
Painter, b. according to some in Maastricht, but more probably in Florence to a Flemish father in 1576, d. in Florence in July 1644. He was a pupil of Ludovico… -
Billerbeck, Paul
German exegete, b. in 1853, d. in Frankfurt on the Oder, where he was a Protestant pastor, on 23 Dec. 1932. From 1906 he devoted his activity to the systematic… -
Billia, Lorenzo Michelangelo
Philosopher, b. at Cuneo on 1 Dec. 1860, d. at Florence on 10 Apr. 1924. Having joined Morando in defending the condemned Rosminian propositions, in L'esilio… -
Billiart, Marie-Rose-Julie, Blessed (BILLIART, MARIE-ROSE-JULIE, BEATA)
Foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Namur (v.), born of a humble family on July 12, 1751 at Cuvilly near Compiègne, diocese of Beauvais, died at Namur on… -
Billik, Eberhard
Carmelite theologian, b. in Cologne in 1499-1500 and d. on 12 January 1557. His family name was Steinberger. A professor in Cologne and prior of the convent…