M
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Ma
MA: v. CIBELE. -
Maacha
Biblical name of nine figures, of both sexes, from the first of whom a branch of the Arameans (v.) took its name. The principal ones are: 1. M., son of Nahor… -
Maasbode
Catholic daily newspaper ("The Meuse Messenger"), published in Rotterdam from 1 October 1868. Initially a weekly, it became a daily in 1885, and from 1909 to… -
Maasia
Of the numerous persons of this name, about twenty, mentioned in the Old Testament, the principal ones are: 1) A Levite of the stock of Merari, singer and… -
Maassen, Friedrich
Jurist and canonist, b. at Wismar on 24 Sept. 1829, d. at Wilten (Innsbruck) on 9 Apr. 1900. Born of non-Catholic parents, he converted to Catholicism in 1851.… -
Maastricht
Ancient diocese in Holland, today in the diocese of Roermond. As the name indicates, the city owes its origin to a ferry or a ford of the Meuse: "trajectum ad… -
Mabillon, Jean
Benedictine of the Congregation of St. Maur (v. MAURINI), b. at St-Pierremont (Reims) on 23 Nov. 1632, d. at St-Germain-des-Prés on 27 Dec. 1707. Received into… -
Mabuse, Jan Gossaert detto
Dutch, b. between 1470 and 1480. He came to Rome in 1508. Of his stay in Italy there remains a record in Guicciardini, who considered him the first to bring… -
Macao, Diocese of (MACAO, DIOCESI DI)
City and diocese in China. It forms a peninsula beside the south-east coast of China, in the middle of the delta formed by the West and Canton rivers. It also… -
Macapá (MACAPÀ)
A "nullius" prelature in the federal territory of Amapà (Brazil), suffragan of Belem do Pará. It has an area of 143,716 sq km with 40,000 inhabitants, of whom… -
Macario, Metropolitan of Moscow (MACARIO, METROPOLITA DI MOSCA)
Archbishop of Novgorod, in 1543 metropolitan of Moscow. Born in 1482, died in 1563, he was one of the most prominent metropolitans of the latter city. His rule… -
Macarius
Graecized name of Giovanni L'Heureux, archaeologist, philologist, Hellenist, b. in 1540 or 1551 at Gravelines on the Channel, d. at Aire (Artois) on 11 June… -
Macarius, Abbot of Pelecete, Saint (MACARIO, ABATE DI PELECETE, SANTO)
Born at Constantinople, ca. 820. Successor of St. Hilarion (end of the 8th century), he equaled him in zeal for the sacred images; he is called a thaumaturge… -
Macarius (Cyril V) (MACARIO (CIRILLO V))
A united Coptic priest, born at Scenaineh (diocese of Thebes, Egypt) on 19 February 1867, died at Beirut on 18 May 1921. From 17 March 1895 patriarchal vicar… -
Macarius I of Jerusalem, Saint (MACARIO I DI GERUSALEMME, SANTO)
He was the 39th bishop of Jerusalem from 313 to 334. He is found among those present at the Council of Nicaea (325), where he showed himself a bitter opponent… -
Macarius (Ivanov) (MACARIO (IVANOV))
Russian monk of the Optina pustyn near Kozelsk, b. in 1788, d. on September 19 (the 7th according to the old style), 1860; one of the most famous starcy in… -
Macarius of Alexandria (MACARIO D'ALESSANDRIA)
C. Butler (The Lausiac history of Palladius, II [Texts and Studies, 6, 11], Cambridge 1904, p. 193 ff.) has discussed the various persons named M. who were… -
Macarius of Magnesia (MACARIO DI MAGNESIA)
At the "Synod of the Oak" (403) a bishop M. of Magnesia accused Heraclides of Ephesus, a friend of St. John Chrysostom (Photius, Bibl., cod. 59). This M. is in… -
Macarius the Great (MACARIO IL GRANDE)
Also called the Egyptian or the Elder. Palladius speaks of him (Hist. Laus., 17; ed. C. Butler, I, Cambridge 1899, pp. 43, 5 ff.) and Rufinus (Hist. monach.… -
Maccabees (MACCABEI)
With the nickname "Maccabeus" given to Judas, the principal hero of the Jewish revolt against the yoke of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, from the 2nd century onward… -
Maccabees, Saints, Martyrs (MACCABEI, SANTI, MARTIRI)
MACCABEI, santi, martiri: v. SEVEN BROTHERS (MACCABEES), saints, martyrs. -
Maccari, Cesare
Painter, b. in Siena on 9 May 1840, d. in Rome on 7 Aug. 1919. In his homeland he was successively a pupil of the sculptor T. Sarrocchi and of the painter… -
Macchiaioli
This name designates a group of painters active in Tuscany, and above all in Florence, in the second half of the 19th century, whose activity forms part of the… -
Macchi, Vincenzo
Cardinal, b. at Capodimonte, diocese of Montefiascone, on 31 Aug. 1770, d. at Rome on 30 Sept. 1860. Attached to the nunciature of Lisbon, when the French… -
Macedo, Francesco
Friar Minor, theologian, also called of St. Augustine. Born in Coimbra in 1596, died in Padua on 1 May 1681. Having entered the Society of Jesus in 1610, he… -
Macedonia
A south-central region of the Balkan peninsula, until 1912 included in European Turkey and divided among Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. It corresponds… -
Macedonius and Macedonians (MACEDONIO E MACEDONIANI)
Bishop of Constantinople from 342 to 360, from whom, beginning around 380, ecclesiastical historians derived the designation "Macedonians," then current, to… -
Maceió, Archdiocese of (MACEIÒ, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
Capital and archdiocese of the State of Alagoas in Brazil. Over an area of 11,928 sq km it counts 623,756 inhabitants, of whom 620,000 are Catholics… -
Macerata, Diocese of (MACERATA, DIOCESI DI)
It is one of the least extensive of the Marches, but one of the most important, because it is situated in the middle of the region, of which it was the center… -
MacHale, John (MAC HALE, JOHN)
Irish prelate, b. 6 March 1791 at Tobbernavine, d. 7 Nov. 1881 at Tuam. He studied at the College of Maynooth and, having been ordained a priest, taught… -
Macharontes (MACHERONTE)
A mountain fortress east of the Dead Sea, built by Alexander Jannaeus (Fl. Josephus, Bell. Iud., VII, 6, 2) and razed to the ground by the Romans in 57 B.C.… -
Machaut (Machault), Guillaume
Poet and musician, b. ca. 1300 at Machaut (Champagne). A cleric in 1323, he died in 1377 as canon of the cathedral of Reims. Besides the rich production of… -
Mach, Ernst
German physicist and philosopher, b. at Tufany (Moravia) on 18 Feb. 1838, d. at Haar (Munich) on 19 Feb. 1916. He taught physics at the University of Graz and… -
Machiavelli, Niccolò
Writer and politician, b. 3 May 1469 in Florence, d. there 22 June 1527. I. LIFE AND WORKS. - The label of "Florentine Secretary," traditionally assigned to… -
Machiavellism (MACHIAVELLISMO)
The term "M.," which has now entered, after centuries of customary use, even into political lexicons, has stimulated curious investigations, not yet concluded… -
Machiques, Apostolic Vicariate of (MACHIQUES, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
Located on the western borders of Venezuela, it comprises the districts or provinces that form part of the State of Zulia: Paez, Mara (only in part), Perija… -
Mach, José
Spanish Jesuit, missionary and writer who had notable influence on the ecclesiastical culture of his time, b. in Barcelona on 3 May 1810, d. in Saragossa on 25… -
Machmas (MACHMAS)
A village 13 km north of Jerusalem, famous for the valorous deeds of Jonathan (v.), son of Saul, against the Philistines who had come to fight Israel (1 Sam.… -
Machpelah ("Double Thing") (MAKHPĒLĀH)
A plot of land with trees and a cave, situated opposite Mamre and precisely at Hebron (v.). It belonged to Ephron the Hittite, and Abraham (v.) bought it as a… -
Machperson, James
Letterato scozzese, n. a Ruthven il 27 ott. 1736, m. a Belville il 17 febbr. 1796. He is the famous manipulator of the songs of Ossian (Ossian is the name of a… -
Machtotz
MACHTOTZ: v. MESROP. -
Macinghi Strozzi, Alessandra
Noblewoman, b. in Florence in 1407, d. there on 11 March 1471. At the age of 16 she married Matteo Strozzi, who, banished by the Medici in 1434, died at Pesaro… -
Mackenzie, Apostolic Vicariate of (MACKENZIE, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
Located in the central-northern regions of Canada, erected on 30 July 1901 by the dismemberment of the vicariate of Athabasca-M. Its vast extent and the… -
Mackintosh, James
English politician and thinker, b. at Aldourie (Scotland) on 24 Sept. 1765, d. in London on 3 May 1832. A spiritual disciple of Shaftesbury (v.) and of Smith… -
MacNabb, Vincent
Dominican theologian and preacher, b. at Portaferry (Ireland) on 8 July 1868, d. in London on 17 June 1943. For forty years he taught philosophy, dogmatic… -
Mâcon, Diocese of (MACON, DIOCESI DI)
MACON, DIOCESI di: v. AUTUN, DIOCESI di. -
Maconi, Stefano
Carthusian, b. in Siena around 1350, d. in the convent of S. Maria delle Grazie in Pavia on 7 September (9 August) 1424. In 1376 he entered the "comitiva" of… -
Macrina, Saint (MACRINA, SANTA)
Grandmother of St. Basil the Great, not to be confused with the sister of the same name of the same Saint. Born at Neocaesarea in Pontus, she was a disciple of… -
Macrina (the Younger), Saint (MACRINA (LA GIOVANE), SANTA)
Elder sister of St. Basil the Great, she was educated very strictly by her mother and later assisted her in the government of the numerous family and of the… -
Madách, Imre
Hungarian playwright, b. at Alsostregova on 21 Jan. 1823, d. there on 4 Oct. 1864. His only great work is Az ember tragédiája ("The Tragedy of Man"), which… -
Madagascar
It is the only large island of the African continent (with its 585,000 sq km of surface area it is the fourth on Earth), from which it is separated by the… -
Madauros (Mdaourou)
Epitaph of the priest Liberatus, who died in exile at M. for the Catholic faith (first quarter of the 6th century). to every school; this will be the… -
Madauros (Mdaourouch)
In Algeria, from the end of the 1st century a Roman colony of veterans with the name Colonia Flavia Augusta Veteranorum. It was part of Numidia until the 3rd… -
Madeleine Sophie Barat, Saint (MADDALENA SOFIA BARAT, SANTA)
Foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, b. at Joigny (department of Yonne) on 12 Dec. 1779, d. at Paris on 24 May 1865. In her own brother… -
Maderno, Alessandro
Barnabite theologian, b. at Capolago (Como) on 15 May 1617, d. at Rome on 6 Apr. 1685. He taught theology for many years in the Arcimboldi schools of Milan… -
Maderno, Carlo
Architect, b. at Capolago (Canton Ticino) in 1559, d. at Rome on 30 January 1629. Nephew of D. and G. Fontana, he collaborated with them on various works.… -
Maderno, Stefano
Lombard sculptor, b. at Bissone in 1576, d. at Rome on 17 Sept. 1636. By 1600 he was already in Rome and completed his masterpiece in the statue of St.… -
Madison, Diocese of (MADISON, DIOCESI DI)
City and diocese in the State of Wisconsin (United States of America). It comprises the counties of Columbia, Dane, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson… -
Madness (FOLLIA)
FOLLIA: V. INFERMITÀ MENTALE. -
Madonnari (MADONNERI)
This was the name given in Venice to those painters of sacred images, mostly of Cretan origin, who already in the 14th century, but even more from the 15th… -
Madras [Chennai], Archdiocese of (MADRAS, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
It is located in the south-eastern part of India, entrusted to the Pious Society of Salesians of St. John Bosco. It was first part of the diocese of St. Thomas… -
Madrid, Diocese of (MADRID, DIOCESI DI)
Diocese and capital city of Spain. The diocese has an area of 7,988.75 sq. km. with a population of 1,909,003 inhabitants, of whom 1,901,503 are Catholics; it… -
Madrid (Madridius), Cristóbal
Spanish Jesuit, ascetical writer, b. at Daimiel (diocese of Toledo) ca. 1503, d. at Rome on 13 Aug. 1573. He was accepted into the Society of Jesus in 1550 by… -
Madrigal (MADRIGALE)
From "matricale," with reference both to language and to maternal song; or from "mandriale," a shepherd's song. In its most common form from the 14th to the… -
Madruzzo, Cristoforo
Cardinal and prince-bishop of Trent, b. at Castel Nano in Val di Non on July 5, 1512, d. at Tivoli on July 5, 1578. A descendant of a noble Trentine family, he… -
Madruzzo, Ludovico (MADRUZZO, LODOVICO)
Cardinal and prince-bishop of Trent, b. in Trent in 1532, d. in Rome on 2 April 1600. Nephew of Cardinal Cristoforo M., he succeeded him in the episcopal see… -
Madurai (Madura), Diocese of (MADHURAI (MADURA), DIOCESI DI)
On the southeastern coast of India, entrusted to the Jesuits of the province of Toulouse. The mission of M. owes its beginnings to the celebrated Jesuit… -
Maes, Bonifacius
Franciscan ascetic-mystical theologian, b. at Ghent (Belgium) in 1627, d. there on 3 Oct. 1706. He entered the Order of Friars Minor in 1647. For several years… -
Maes (Masius), Andreas
Belgian Orientalist, b. in 1514 at Lennick-lez-Bruxelles, d. near Cleves in 1573. "Primus" of the Faculty of Arts at Louvain in 1533, having perfected himself… -
Maestre di Santa Dorotea
In 1834 at Quinto, near Genoa, Bl. Paola Frassinetti with six other companions, under the guidance of her brother Giuseppe, founded the work known as that of… -
Maestre di Santa Dorotea, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts (MAESTRE DI SANTA DOROTEA, FIGLIE DEI SACRI CUORI)
In 1815 at Villaperta di Calcinate (Bergamo) the parish priest Giovanni Battista Fenaroli initiated the Pia Opera of St. Dorothy, for the care and supervision… -
Maestre Pie Dell'Addolorata
The Institute arose in 1818 at Coriano, in the diocese of Rimini, where the gentlewoman Elisabetta Renzi gathered some nuns driven out of the suppressed… -
Maestre Pie Filippini
In 1692 Cardinal M. A. Barbarigo, bishop of Montefiascone, summoned from nearby Viterbo the Venerable Rosa Venerini (v.) to establish in his city a school of… -
Maestre Pie Venerini
They were founded at Viterbo on 30 August 1685 by the venerable Rosa Venerini (v.), with the approval of the bishop Cardinal Urbano Sacchetti and with the… -
Maestri Cattolici
The Italian Catholic teachers' organization is based on two flourishing associations: the Movimento maestri di Azione Cattolica and the Associazione Italiana… -
Maestro del Sacro Palazzo
Title of a dignitary of the Pontifical Court, whose duties have undergone various changes. Only modern studies conducted (by Denifle, Altaner, Ehrle, Creytens)… -
Maestro di Camera
Praefectus cubiculi Sanctitatis Suae (at the Roman imperial court: magister admissionum), in Italian "m. di c. of the Pope or of His Holiness," or introducer.… -
Maestro di Casa
He is one of the dignitaries of the pontifical household, to whom is entrusted, or at least was, the governance of the personnel of the pontifical household… -
Maeterlinck, Maurice
Poet, b. in Ghent on 29 Aug. 1862 into a wealthy Flemish family, d. in Nice on 6 May 1949. Started on a legal career, but a not-long stay in Paris (1886) was… -
Maffei, Andrea
Poet and translator, b. at Molina in Val di Ledro (Trentino) on 19 Apr. 1798, d. at Milan on 27 Nov. 1885. He perfected his knowledge of the German language at… -
Maffei, Bernardino
Cardinal, b. in Bergamo in 1514, d. in Rome on 1 August 1553. He studied law in Padua and became secretary of Cardinal A. Farnese, with whom he remained even… -
Maffei, Giampietro
Jesuit, humanist and historiographer, b. in Bergamo in 1535, d. in Tivoli (Rome) on 21 Oct. 1603. Already a professor of eloquence in Genoa and secretary of… -
Maffei, Scipione
Scholar, polygraph, tragic poet, b. at Verona on June 1, 1675, d. there on Feb. 11, 1755. In 1710-50, with A. Zeno and A. Vallisnieri, he founded the Giornale… -
Maffi, Pietro
Cardinal, archbishop of Pisa, b. at Corteolona (Pavia) on 12 Oct. 1858, d. at Pisa on 17 March 1931. He completed his studies at the Seminary of Pavia, where… -
Mafriano
A high dignitary of the Jacobite Church. In Syriac, m. means "he who bears fruit," and the title was applied to the dignity created at the beginning of the 7th… -
Magalotti, Lorenzo
Writer, b. in Rome on 13 Dec. 1637, d. in Florence on 2 March 1712. He began his activity as a mathematician and physician, and, as secretary of the Accademia… -
Magalotti, Ugolino, Blessed (MAGALOTTI, UGOLINO, BEATO)
Hermit of the Third Order of St. Francis, b. near Camerino at the beginning of the 14th century, d. there on 11 Dec. 1373. Left motherless, he was piously… -
Magdala
A locality whose location is disputed, in the surroundings of the lake of Gennesaret. In the critical text of the Gospels the name M. does not occur, but it is… -
Mageddo
Once a powerful city of Palestine (Heb. Mëghiddō[n]; Septuagint Μαγεδώ or Μαγεδδών; Egyp. M'ktj; el-'Amärnah Makiddu; Assyrian Magidü), identified with Tell… -
Magellan, Ferdinand (MAGELLANO, FERDINANDO)
In Portuguese Fernão de Magalhães, Portuguese navigator, b. in 1480 at Villa de Sabrosa in the province of Trazos-Montes of a noble family, d. on the island of… -
Mager, Alois
Benedictine, philosopher and psychologist, b. at Zimmern near Rottweil (Swabia) on 21 Aug. 1883, d. at Salzburg on 26 Dec. 1946. Having entered Beuron in 1903… -
Maggiorascato
I. GENERAL CONCEPT. - The m. or maggiorasco is a form of fideicommissum (v.), which came into use in the Middle Ages, principally for the hereditary… -
Maggi, Sebastiano, Blessed (MAGGI, SEBASTIANO, BEATO)
Dominican, b. at Brescia in 1414, d. at Genoa in Nov. 1496. A religious in his homeland in 1430, he was prior in many convents (Bologna, Mantua, Milan… -
Magi
Figures who came from the East to Jerusalem, guided by a star, to adore the King of the Jews. Sent by Herod to Bethlehem, they find the Child Jesus, offer him… -
Magic (MAGIA)
I. IN NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS. - It is the art of dominating the forces of nature and of life. The name derives from the Magi (μᾶγα), who were one of the six… -
Maginulf (MAGINULFO)
MAGINULFO: v. SILVESTRO IV, ANTIPAPA. -
Magisterium of the Church (MAGISTERO DELLA CHIESA)
MAGISTERO DELLA CHIESA: v. CHIESA, A, I, VI: Poteria della Chiesa; CONCILIO; INFALLIBILITÀ; PREDICAZIONE. -
Magister Martinus
MAGISTER MARTINUS: v. MARTINO da CREMONA. -
Magister Officiorum
He is one of the great central officials of the absolute Roman Empire, that is, as it came to be defined following the constitutional reform of Diocletian and… -
Magistrate (MAGISTRATO)
Magistratus, from magister, etymologically means a head, a superior. In ordinary language the concept of magistracy was customarily confused with that of… -
Magistretti, Marco
Liturgist and historian, b. in Milan on 19 July 1862. A priest in 1884, he was prefect and master of ceremonies there in 1890; in 1896 a member of the Lombard… -
Magliabechi, Antonio
Scholar and bibliophile, b. in Florence on 28 Oct. 1633, d. there on 27 June 1714. Devoting himself to scholarly studies, he was appointed librarian of the… -
Maglione
Cardinal, b. at Casoria (Naples), 2 March 1877, d. there 22 Aug. 1944. After completing his ecclesiastical studies and receiving priestly ordination (1901), he… -
Magna Carta Libertatum (MAGNA CHARTA LIBERTATUM)
This name designates the basic act of English constitutional life issued by King John Lackland on June 19, 1215, at the request of the rebellious English… -
Magnae Deus Potentiae
A hymn for Vespers on Thursday, belonging to the group of Irish-Anglo-Saxon origin, which makes its appearance in the 8th century (cf. C. Blume, Anal. hymnica… -
Magna Mater
MAGNA MATER: v. CIBELE. -
Magnan, Dominique
Minim friar, archaeologist and numismatist, b. at Reillanne, in Provence, on 29 May 1731, d. at Florence on 7 Sept. 1796. In his Order he was professor of… -
Magnanimity (MAGNANIMITÀ)
It usually denotes greatness of soul and nobility of character. Within the framework of the virtues it is the generous disposition to accomplish great things… -
Magnasco, Alessandro detto Il Lissandrino
Painter, b. in Genoa in 1667, d. there on 12 March 1749, one of the most original figures of the Baroque period. As a young man he went to Milan and, having… -
Magnentius (Flavius Magnus Magnentius), Roman Emperor (MAGNENZIO (FLAVIUS MAGNUS MAGNENTIUS) IMPERATORE ROMANO)
Of barbarian origin, probably Germanic, having risen to high ranks in the military, he was induced by the foolish conduct of Constans, son of Constantine, to… -
Magnetism (MAGNETISMO)
Since remote antiquity it had been observed that certain iron minerals possess the singular property that, when pieces of them are brought near one another… -
Magnificat
Canticle of praise to God uttered by the Virgin Mary during her visit to Elizabeth (v.), who, inspired, had greeted her as mother of God (Luke 1:46-55).… -
Magnificence (MAGNIFICENZA)
Magnificence or munificence indicates splendor in spending and in giving. As a special virtue, magnificence consists in the disposition of the will to… -
Magni, Valeriano (da Milano)
Capuchin, b. in Milan on 15 Oct. 1586, d. in Salzburg on 29 July 1661. Received into the Order by St. Lawrence of Brindisi (v.) at Prague on 25 March 1602, he… -
Magnus of Fabrateria, Saint (MAGNO DI FABRATERIA, SANTO)
He is commemorated in the Hieronymian Martyrology on 19 August as a martyr of Fabriteria vetus, today Ceccano, where in antiquity there existed a church… -
Magnus of Sens (MAGNO DI SENS)
Archbishop and theologian, b. in the second half of the 8th century, d. at Sens in 818. Having come to Rome with Charlemagne, he was consecrated archbishop of… -
Magog
MAGOG: v. GOG E MAGOG. -
Magri, Domenico (MAGRI, DOMENICO)
Theologian and exegete of the Oratory, b. at Valletta (Malta) on 28 March 1604, d. on 4 March 1672. He studied at Palermo, then at Rome, whence he was sent, at… -
Magri, Pietro
Priest, musician, b. at Vigarano Mainarda in 1873, d. at Oropa on 24 July 1937. He studied at the Seminary of Faenza, where he was ordained a priest on 19 Dec.… -
Magyars (MAGIARI)
An Eastern people that at the end of the 9th century settled in the country which took from them the name of Magyarország, or Hungary. Historians and… -
Mahabharata (MAHĀBHĀRATA)
The M., "the great epic of the Bharatiḍi," is not only the most extensive epic poem in world literature, but also an encyclopedia of Hinduism (v.). Digressions… -
Mahanaim (MAHANĀIM)
A locality in Transjordan. The name was given by Jacob when, on his way back from Laban, before reaching the river Jabbok (= Wādi ez-Zerqā), he encountered… -
Mahavira (MAHÀVIRA)
M., "Great Hero," is the title given by his co-religionists to Vardhamàna, considered the founder of Jainism (v.), although he is only the reformer of a… -
Mahayana
MAHAYANA: v. BUDDHISMO. -
Mahdi
As a religious concept, v. ISLÂM; for the leader of the anti-English revolution in Egypt v. EGITTO. -
Mahzor (Mahazor) (MAHZÔR (MAHÂZÔR))
Synagogal ritual for the annual festivals (literally "cycle," from hâzar "to return periodically," originally an astronomical term); in the Syrian Church… -
Mai, Angelo
Cardinal, paleographer, b. at Schilpario (Bergamo) on 7 March 1782, d. at Albano on 9 Sept. 1854. He entered the Jesuits at Colorno (Parma) in 1799; ordained a… -
Maier, Adalbert
Catholic exegete, b. at Villingen (Baden) on 26 Apr. 1811, d. at Freiburg im Breisgau on 29 July 1889. From 1840 he taught New Testament exegesis at Freiburg… -
Maier, Heinrich
Philosopher, b. at Heidenheim (Württemberg) on 5 Feb. 1867, d. at Berlin on 28 Nov. 1933. Having earned his doctorate in philosophy at Tübingen (1892), he… -
Maignan, Emmanuel
Scientist, philosopher and theologian, b. at Toulouse on 17 July 1601, d. there on 29 Oct. 1676. Having entered the Minims at the age of 18, because of his… -
Maigrot, Charles
B. in Paris in 1652, d. in Rome on 28 Feb. 1730. Ordained a priest in 1676 and a doctor at the Sorbonne in 1678, he entered the Seminary of the Foreign… -
Maillard, Olivier
Franciscan, b. at Juigné, in Brittany, ca. 1430, d. at Toulouse on 22 July 1502. He took the habit in the Observant vicariate of Aquitaine, where he exercised… -
Maillé, Jeanne-Marie de, Blessed (MAILLÉ, JEANNE-MARIE DE, BEATA)
A most virtuous French lady, Franciscan tertiary, b. in the castle of Roche-St-Quentin (Touraine) on 14 April 1332, d. at Tours on 28 March 1414. In obedience… -
Maimbourg, Louis
Jesuit, preacher and historian, b. at Nancy on 10 Jan. 1610, d. at Paris on 13 Aug. 1686. After 16 years of teaching literature, he devoted himself to… -
Maimonides (Mosheh ben Maimon) (MAIMONIDE (MÖŠEH BEN MAJMÖN))
Rabbi, philosopher, known by the abbreviation Rambam (R.M. B.M.), b. on the eve of the Jewish Passover (30 March) 1135 at Cordova, d. in Egypt on 13 Dec. 1204.… -
Maimon, Salomon
Philosopher, b. at Neschwitz (Lithuania) in 1754, d. at Nieder-Siegersdorf (Liegnitz, southern Silesia) on 22 Nov. 1800. His original name was S. ben Yéhoshuná… -
Mainardi, Agostino
An Augustinian who went over to the "Reformation" and then became pastor at Chiavenna, in the Grisons, b. in 1482 at Caraglio (Cuneo) and d. at Chiavenna on 31… -
Mainardi, Arlotto
Called "il Piovano," because he was the titular priest of the parish church of S. Cresci ai Maciuoli, where he was born in 1396, and died in Florence on 24… -
Maine de Biran, François-Pierre
Philosopher and politician, b. at Bergerac on 29 Nov. 1776, d. at Paris on 22 July 1824. A nobleman, anti-revolutionary but not reactionary, he held important… -
Maintenon, Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de (MAINTENON, FRANÇOISE D'AUBIGNÉ, MARCHESA DI)
Favourite and (from 1684) morganatic wife > (from Coiret, La littérature religieuse de François de Sales à Fenelon, Paris 1928, p. 150) > MAINTENON, FRANÇOISE… -
Mainz on the Rhine, Diocese of (MAGONZA SUL RENO, DIOCESI DI)
Diocese and capital city of the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate, opposite the mouth of the Main. Over an area of 7692 sq. km., it has 1,794,600 inhabitants, of… -
Maioli, Tommaso (MAIOLI, TOMASO)
Italianized name of the bibliophile Thomas Mahieu, secretary to Catherine de' Medici from 1549 to 1560, d. around 1572, about whom more firmly established… -
Maiolo, Saint (MAIOLO, SANTO)
Abbot of Cluny, b. at Valensolle or at Avignon ca. 906, d. at Souvigny on 11 May 994. He governed the abbey for 40 years, from 954 to 994. He too was a… -
Maior, Petru
Romanian Catholic (Uniate) priest, b. in 1754, the third of the 3 great masters and luminaries (Lucéferi) founders of the Latinist "school" of Transylvania. He… -
Maistre, François-Xavier de
Savoyard writer, brother of Joseph, b. at Chambéry on 8 November 1763 into a noble family of magistrates with legitimist and deeply Catholic traditions, d. at… -
Maistre, Joseph de
Thinker, polemicist and writer, b. at Chambéry on 1 April 1753, d. at Turin on 26 February 1821. Educated "in the ancient severity" of his family, he was… -
Maitani, Lorenzo
Sienese architect and sculptor, son of the sculptor Vitale di Lorenzo; the date of M.'s birth is not known, though it is to be placed around 1275, but only… -
Maitland, Diocese of (MAITLAND, DIOCESI DI)
In the eastern part of the State of New South Wales (Australia), erected on 25 June 1874, as a suffragan of Sydney. The erection was almost fictitious, in… -
Maius Coemeterium (Cimitero Maggiore) (MAJUS COEMETERIUM (CIMITERO MAGGIORE))
So called because it is the most extensive Christian cemetery on the Via Nomentana. The present entrance is on the Via Asmara. The name is attested in the 5th… -
Majolica (MAIOLICA)
It is a variety of ceramics (v.), consisting of a body based on clay, firing in color, from red to flesh-pink. Its products, called after a first firing by the… -
Majorca (Mallorca), Diocese of (MAIORCA (MALLORCA), DIOCESI DI)
It embraces the island of this name and that of Cabrera in the Balearic Islands (Spain). In 1851 the see of Iviza was united to it, which was separated again… -
Majordomo of His Holiness (MAGGIORDOMO DI SUA SANTITÀ)
He is the first of the palatine prelates and supervises the Apostolic Palaces. It was Alexander V (1410) who created the new office of magister domus, who… -
Major Forester of the Vatican (FORIERE MAGGIORE VATICANO)
FORIERE MAGGIORE VATICANO: v. FAMIGLIA PONTIFICIA. -
Majunga [Mahajanga], Apostolic Vicariate of (MAJUNGA, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
In the north-eastern part of Madagascar, erected on 15 March 1923 with territory detached from the apostolic vicariate of northern Madagascar. The northern… -
Majuscule, Script (MAIUSCOLA, SCRITTURA)
The term m., in its proper sense, does not indicate a particular script, but must be referred, as an adjective, to all those scripts whose alphabet, as a… -
Makarska, Diocese of (MACARSCA, DIOCESI DI)
MACARSCA, DIOCESI di: v. SPALATO, DIOCESI di. -
Makassar, Apostolic Vicariate of (MAKASSAR, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
In the southern part of the island of Celebes (Indonesia), erected as an apostolic prefecture on 13 April 1937 by > MAJUNGA - Cathedral. > (phot. Pont. comm.… -
Malabaresi
This is the name given to the Christians of the Syro-Oriental rite inhabiting the southwestern coast of India called Malabar, situated in the civil districts… -
Malabar, Latin Missions of (MALABAR, MISSIONI LATINE DI)
MALABAR, MISSIONI LATINE di: v. INDIA. -
Malabar Rites (MALABARICI RITI)
MALABARICI RITI: V. RITI MALABARICI. -
Malacca, Diocese of (MALACCA, DIOCESI DI)
It comprises the entire peninsula of the same name and measures 134,737 sq. km. in area. Politically it is under English influence and includes the English… -
Malachias (MALACHIA)
Prophet, the last in the canon of the Old Testament, and therefore called the "seal of the prophets." He prophesied after the exile, during the Persian… -
Malachy, Saint (MALACHIA, SANTO)
In the world O' Morgair, b. at Armagh ca. 1095, d. at Clairvaux on 2 Nov. 1148. A priest at 25 years of age, he was taken by Celsus, archbishop of Armagh… -
Malafossa, Giacomo
Philosopher and theologian of the Conventual Friars Minor (also called Giacomo and Giacomino Bargius), b. at Barge (Cuneo) ca. 1480, d. there in 1563. >… -
Malagrida, Gabriele
Jesuit, missionary, b. at Menaggio (Como) on 5 Dec. 1689, d. at the stake in Lisbon on 21 Sept. 1761. He labored indefatigably for 30 years (1721-54) in the… -
Malakal, Apostolic Prefecture of (MALAKAL, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI)
In the southern part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, erected on 10 Jan. 1933 under the name of Kodok and with territory detached from the apostolic vicariates of… -
Malalas, John (GIOVANNI MALALAS)
In the 6th century he wrote a Chronography that had great influence on Byzantine historiography. Only one manuscript of it exists in Greek (Oxon. Baroccianus… -
Malaleel
Patriarch mentioned in Gen. 5:12-13, and represented in one of the medallions of the cycle of patriarchs painted on the walls of the central nave of the… -
Malang, Apostolic Vicariate of (MALANG, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
In the extreme eastern part of Java (Indonesia), it comprises three civil districts: Pasuruan, Bosuki and the adjacent island of Madura. On 12 Dec. 1922 the… -
Malankaresi
The word is in itself synonymous with Malabaresi, but it is used to mean the Catholics of the Syro-Western rite of the Malabar coast, in order to distinguish… -
Malaria
The generic term malaria denotes a group of infections of humans and animals caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. SUMMARY: I. Historical and social… -
Malaspina, Alessandro di Mulazzo
Navigator, b. in 1754 at Mulazzo in Lunigiana, he entered the service of the Spanish navy and, after a visit to the Philippines, made a voyage around the world… -
Malatesta, Family (MALATESTA, FAMIGLIA)
The oldest document of the M. concerns a purchase of property made in 1136 by a M. In 1197 GIANNI of M. and other blood relatives swore fidelity to the consuls… -
Malatesta, Onofrio
Theologian of the Order of Minims, b. in Palermo on 8 Sept. 1665, d. in Rome on 7 Jan. 1749. A religious at sixteen, he taught philosophy, theology and Sacred… -
Malaval, François
Quietist, b. in Marseille on 16 Dec. 1627, d. there on 15 May 1719. He owes his fame to the Pratique facile pour élever l'âme à la contemplation (part 1, Paris… -
Malaya, Federation of (MALESE, FEDERAZIONE)
Since 1 February 1948 it has replaced the Malayan Union, proclaimed on 1 April 1946 and formed from the same British possessions and protectorates of which… -
Malchion (MALCHIONE)
According to Eusebius (Hist. eccl., VII, 29, 2), he was head of the school of Greek rhetoric and grammar at Antioch. Eusebius's explicit formulation suggests… -
Malchus (MALCO)
Servant of the high priest Caiaphas (v.). Having gone to the garden of Olives to arrest Jesus, he received a slash from Peter, which wounded his right ear.… -
Malchus, Saint (MALCO, SANTO)
He is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on Oct. 21, but the true dies natalis is unknown; it does not appear that he was venerated in antiquity. Around 390… -
Malczewski, Jacek (Malezewski, Giacinto)
Polish painter, b. at Radom in 1854, d. at Kraków in 1929. He studied at Kraków, in Paris and finally in Munich, where he was attracted by the art of Arnold… -
Maldonado (Maldonatus), Giovanni
One of the founders of modern exegesis, b. at Casas de la Reina (Estremadura) in 1533, d. at Rome on 5 Jan. 1583. At the University of Salamanca he acquired a… -
Male
It is whatever is opposed to the good (v.) and to the perfection of something: "Hoe est esse mali quod est privatio boni" (Sum. Theol., 1ᵃ, q. 14, a. 10). In… -
Malebranca da Orvieto, Ucolino
MALEBRANCA da ORVIETO, UCOLINO: v. UCOLINO MALABRANCA da ORVIETO. -
Malebranche, Nicolas
Theologian, philosopher and scientist, b. in Paris on 6 Aug. 1638, d. there on 13 Oct. 1715. In 1660 he entered the Oratory founded by Cardinal de Bérulle… -
Maleficence (MALEFICIO)
MALEFICIO: v. MAGIA; MALOCCHIO. -
Malermi (Malerbi, Manebri), Niccolò
Camaldolese, b. ca. 1422, d. in Venice in 1481. He was abbot of S. Michele di Lemo, of S. Mattia and of S. Michele di Murano in Venice. He is famous for the… -
Malespini, Celio
Man of letters, b. in Venice in 1531, d. there ca. 1610. A descendant, if he did not falsify this too, of the Malespini of Lunigiana. A notorious adventurer… -
Malevansky, Silvestro
Russian bishop and theologian, b. 1828, d. 1908. After serving as rector of the Academy of Kiev, in 1885 he was created bishop of Kanev. He devoted himself… -
Malherbe, François de
Poet and grammarian, b. at Caen in 1555, d. at Paris on 16 Oct. 1628. His father and four of his brothers were Protestants; he remained Catholic. Secretary to… -
Malikite Rite (MÀLIKITA, RITO)
One of the four schools, or systems or rites of orthodox Islam. Its founder is the imam or Medinese doctor Malik ibn Anas, b. around 710 and d. in 794 A.D.… -
Malinovskij, Nikolaj Platonovič (MALINOVSKIJ, NIKOLAJ PLATONOVÍČ)
Russian theologian, son of a priest, d. January 28 (old style) 1917 in the diocese of Vologda, where he was born. From 1885 he taught dogmatic, moral… -
Mallinckrodt, Hermann von
German politician, b. 5 Feb. 1821 at Minden (Westphalia), d. 26 May 1874 at Berlin. His father was Protestant, his mother Catholic: the young M. was educated… -
Mallinckrodt, Pauline von
Foundress of the Sisters of Christian Charity, b. at Minden (Westphalia) on June 3, 1817, d. at Paderborn on April 30, 1881. As directress at Paderborn of an… -
Mallon, Alexis
Jesuit, orientalist and biblical scholar, b. at La Chapelle-Bertin (Haute-Loire) in France on 8 May 1875, d. at Jerusalem on 7 Apr. 1933. He entered the… -
Malmesbury
Corrupted name of the Benedictine abbey of Maidulfsburg in Wiltshire, England. It was founded in 669 by Aldhelm, nephew of King Ine and disciple of the Irish… -
Malmignati, Giulio
Man of letters and politician, b. at Lendinara, of a noble family, toward the end of the 16th century, d. ca. the middle of the 17th century. An imitator of… -
Malou, Jean-Baptiste
Belgian theologian and bishop, b. at Ypres on 30 June 1809, d. at Bruges on 23 March 1864. A student of the Academy of Noble Ecclesiastics and of the German… -
Malta
I. GEOGRAPHY. - The Archipelago of M., which rises on an underwater platform joined to Sicily, from which it is 90 km. distant, is made up of the island of the… -
Malthus, Thomas Robert
English economist, b. at Rookery (Surrey) on 17 February 1766, d. at St. Catherine's (Bath) on 29 December 1834. As a result of long journeys and observations… -
Mal'tsev, Aleksej Petrovič
Russian liturgical theologian, archpriest. B. in 1854, d. in 1915. Master of theology at the Ecclesiastical Academy of St. Petersburg; teacher of pedagogy at…