W
243 articles · English index · Indice italiano-
Wackenroder, Wilhelm Heinrich
Writer, b. in Berlin on 13 July 1773, d. there on 20 Feb. 1798. Historically he forms part, together with his friend Ludwig Tieck, of the first Romantic group.… -
Wacker, Theodor
German politician, b. 5 Nov. 1845 at Bohlsbach (Baden), d. 9 Nov. 1921 at Zähringen (Freiburg im Breisgau). In 1869 he was ordained a priest; from 1883 until… -
Wadding, Lukas
Franciscan historian and theologian, b. at Waterford in Ireland on 16 Oct. 1588, d. at Rome on 18 Nov. 1657. He completed his studies at the Irish College of… -
Waffelaert, Gustavus Josephus
Moral and ascetical theologian, 22nd bishop of Bruges, b. at Rollegem on 27 Aug. 1847, d. at Bruges on 16 Dec. 1931 after 37 years of episcopate. He was… -
Wagga Wagga, Diocese of (WAGGA-WAGGA, DIOCESI DI)
It is located in the State of New South Wales (Australia). The territory first belonged to the archdiocese of Sydney, then was included in the diocese of… -
Wagner, Johann (Hans), Blessed (WAGNER, JOHANN (HANS), BEATO)
Hermit, b. at Riedlingen on the Danube (between Ulm and Sigmaringen), d. 19 May 1516. In 1476 he entered as a lay brother the charterhouse of St. Lawrence near… -
Wagner, Peter
Musicologist and Gregorianist, b. at Kürenz (Trier) on 19 Aug. 1865, d. at Fribourg in Switzerland on 17 Oct. 1931. A singer in the cathedral choir, he studied… -
Wagner, Richard
Musician, Protestant, b. in Leipzig on May 22, 1813, d. in Venice on Feb. 13, 1883. Having devoted himself since childhood to the study of the ancient… -
Wahhabites (WAHHĀBITI)
WAHHĀBITI: v. ISLĀM. -
Walafrid (Uualafrid, Walahfrid), Strabo (VALAFRIDO (UUALAFRID, WALAFRID), STRABONE)
Benedictine abbot of Reichenau (v.), in Latin Angia, nicknamed Strabo ("the one-eyed") because of his natural short-sightedness, which he himself changed to… -
Wala, Saint (WALA, SANTO)
Benedictine, descended from the Carolingian royal family, b. ca. 755; d. at Bobbio on 31 Aug. 836. Educated in the palace school, he held among other things… -
Walburga, Saint (VALBURGA, SANTA)
Sister of St. Willibrord and Wunibald. Of Anglo-Saxon origin, born around 710, died in her monastery on February 25, 779. She began her monastic life at… -
Waldeck-Rousseau, Pierre-Marie-Ernest
French politician, b. 2 Dec. 1846 in Nantes, d. 10 Aug. 1904 in Paris. He practiced law in St-Nazaire and in Rennes; a fervent republican, he was elected in… -
Waldo and Waldensians (VALDO E VALDESI)
The Waldenses derive from a certain Valdés (Valdesius or Valdensis, later Waldo), whose first important data go back to a period that fluctuates between 1170… -
Walenburch, Adrian and Peter van (WALENBURCH, ADRIAN E PETER VAN)
Theologians and controversialists of the 17th century. ADRIAN was born in Rotterdam (Holland) around 1608. Because of the religious struggles that troubled his… -
Walewski-Colonna, Florian-Alexandre-Joseph, Count (WALEWSKI-COLONNA, FLORIAN-ALEXANDRE-JOSEPH, CONTE)
Politician, b. 4 May 1810 at the castle of Walewice near Warsaw, d. 27 Sept. 1868 at Strasbourg. Natural son of Napoleon I and of Maria Walewska, he was… -
Waleys, Thomas
Dominican theologian, b. in England in the second half of the 13th century, d. after 21 Feb. 1349. A master in theology, professor at Oxford (1314) and Bologna… -
Wallenstein, Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius
General, b. 24 Sept. 1583 at Hermanice near Arnau (eastern Bohemia), d. 25 Feb. 1634 at Eger. Orphaned at thirteen, he studied at the Lutheran Latin school of… -
Wallis and Futuna, Apostolic Vicariate of the Islands of (WALLIS E FUTUNA, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DELLE ISOLE DI)
It lies between the Fiji and Samoa islands and comprises the islands of W., F. and Alofi, plus a few islets. On 1 November 1837 Father Bataillon landed there… -
Walsh, Thomas
Bishop, b. in London in Oct. 1777, d. there on 18 Feb. 1849. Left fatherless at a tender age, his mother - who was a Protestant - entrusted him to the Anglican… -
Walsh, William Joseph
Irish archbishop and primate, one of the principal advocates of the creation of a free Irish Republic, b. 30 Jan. 1841 in Dublin, d. there 9 Apr. 1921. He was… -
Walter of Bruges (GUALTIERO DI BRUGES)
Franciscan, b. in 1225, d. in 1307. He was provincial of France and bishop of Poitiers (1279-1306). He taught in Paris around 1267-69; he is the author of a… -
Walter of Chatton (GUALTIERO DI CHATTON)
English Franciscan theologian, b. at Chatton (Norwich) in the second half of the 13th century, d. at Avignon probably in 1343. From the Franciscan school of… -
Walter of Mortagne (GUALTIERO DI MORTAGNE)
Medieval philosopher and theologian, master of rhetoric and philosophy at St. Geneviève in Paris from 1126 to '44, d. bishop of Laon in 1174. At that time the… -
Walter of Mortagne (WALTER DI MORTAGNE)
WALTER di MORTAGNE: v. GUALTIERO di MORTAGNE. -
Walter of Rheinau (Gualtiero of Rheinau) (WALTER VON RHEINAU (GUALTIERO DI RHEINAU))
German religious poet of the 13th century (?), b. at Bremgarten on the Reuss (in Aargau) from the poor branch of a noble family whose name is found near Zurich… -
Walter of Saint Victor (GUALTIERO DI SAN VITTORE)
Prior of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine in the abbey of Saint-Victor near Paris, born at the beginning of the 12th century, died after 1180. He succeeded… -
Walter of Saint Victor (WALTHER DI SAN VITTORE)
WALTHER di SAN VITTORE: v. GUALTIERO di SAN VITTORE. -
Walter of Speyer (Gualtiero di Spira) (WALTHER VON SPEYER (GUALTIERO DI SPIRA))
German poet and religious, b. ca. 965, disciple of Bishop Walderich in the monastery of St. Gall. Having become learned in the 7 liberal arts and having become… -
Walther von der Vogelweide
Poet and knight, b. ca. 1170, perhaps a native of the Tyrol, d. after 1228. His poetic beginnings took place at the Court of Vienna, and afterwards he wandered… -
Wamba, Apostolic Vicariate of (WAMBA, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
Located in the north-eastern part of the Belgian Congo, it borders on the apostolic vicariates of Buta, Niangara, Lake Albert, Beni in the Belgian Congo and… -
Wandering Jew (EBREO ERRANTE)
A popular myth, which under the name "Ahasuerus" personifies the eternal wanderer, who after the drama of Calvary has neither homeland nor rest. It appears in… -
WANDRILLE, ABBAZIA di St
WANDRILLE, ABBAZIA di St.: v. ROUEN, ARCIDIOCESI di. -
Wanhsien [Wanzhou], Diocese of (WANHSIEN, DIOCESI DI)
In the eastern part of the province of Szechwan, in central-western China. It was erected as an apostolic vicariate on 2 Aug. 1929 with 10 civil… -
Wankie [Hwange], Apostolic Prefecture of (WANKIE, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI)
It is located in Southern Rhodesia and was erected on June 29, 1953. In 1949 some fathers of the Spanish Institute of St. Francis Xavier for the Foreign… -
War (GUERRA)
I. NOTIONS. - There are many definitions of war. Their extreme variety depends either on the influence of particular ideologies, or on the too broad a sense… -
Warangal, Diocese of (WARANGAL, DIOCESI DI)
Erected by decree of the S. Congr. de Prop. Fide of 8 Jan. 1953, by detachment from the Indian diocese of Hyderabad of the three civil districts of Warangal… -
Ward, Mary
Foundress of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (v.), b. at Mulwith (England) on 23 Jan. 1585, d. at Hawart on 30 Jan. 1645. Raised in a deeply religious… -
Ward, Mary Augusta Humphry
English writer, b. in Hobart (Tasmania) on 11 June 1851, d. in London on 24 March 1920, niece of Dr. Arnold of Rugby, brother of the poet Matthew Arnold. She… -
Ward, William George
Theologian converted from Anglicanism, b. in London on 21 March 1812, d. at Hampstead on 6 July 1882. In 1838 he took part in the Oxford Movement, coming under… -
Warmia (Ermland), Diocese of (WARMIA (ERMLAND), DIOCESI DI)
City and diocese in East Prussia, today in Poland. It has an area of 23,344 sq km with a population of 749,401 inhabitants, of whom 684,494 are Catholics… -
Warnefridus (WARNEFRIDO)
WARNEFRIDO: V. PAOLO DIACONO. -
Warsaw, Archdiocese of (VARSAVIA, ARCIDIODESE DI)
Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, archbishop of Gniezno and Warsaw, removed and interned by the communist Government of Poland, on 26 Sept. 1953. At Rostków near… -
Warsaw (Warszawa), Archdiocese of (VARSAVIA (WARSZAWA), ARCIDIOCESI DI)
Archdiocese and capital city of Poland. It has an area of 12,400 sq. km., with a population of 1,990,000 inhabitants, of whom 1,652,000 are Catholics… -
Wars of Succession (GUERRE DI SUCCESIONE)
By the name of W. of S. are meant the three wars concerning Spain, Poland and Austria, which took place in the first half of the 18th century, concluding with… -
Wartenberg, Franz Wilhelm, Count of (WARTENBERG, FRANZ WILHELM, CONTE DI)
Cardinal, b. 1 March 1593 in Munich, d. 1 Dec. 1661 in Regensburg. Son of Duke Ferdinand of Bavaria and Maria von Pettenbeck, he studied with the Jesuits of… -
Washing of the Feet (LAVANDA DEI PIEDI)
It is a ceremony performed on Holy Thursday. In ancient times it followed Baptism, but it was soon abandoned in several Churches. St. Ambrose (De Sacramentis… -
Washington, Archdiocese of (WASHINGTON, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
Archdiocese and city in the District of Columbia (United States of America). W. covers an area of 2,104 square miles with a total population of 1,224,314… -
Washington, George
First president of the United States, b. at Bridges Creek (Virginia) on 22 Feb. 1732, d. at Mount Vernon (Virginia) on 14 Dec. 1799. The son of a wealthy… -
Wasmann, Erich
Jesuit, naturalist and entomologist, b. at Merano (Tyrol) on 29 May 1859, d. at Valkenburg (Holland) on 27 February 1931. Having entered the Order in 1875, he… -
Wassermann, Jakob
Writer, b. in Fürth on 10 March 1873 to a Jewish family, d. in Altaussee (Styria) on 1 Jan. 1934. He began his career as a writer early, abandoning the career… -
Water (ACQUA)
I. A. IN THE SCIENCES. - Every form of life, including human life, unfolds in an aqueous environment. Some animals, such as jellyfish, contain more than 95%… -
Watercolor (ACQUERELLO)
A method of painting on a white or very light ground by means of transparent colours, prepared with gum arabic and glycerine and dissolved in water, so that… -
Waterford and Lismore, Diocese of (WATERFORD E LISMORE, DIOCESI DI)
Located in the south-east of Ireland in the civil province of Munster and in the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. The diocese has 39 parishes, served by 125… -
Waterworth, William
Jesuit, b. 22 June 1811 at St. Helen's (Lancashire), d. 17 March 1882 at Bournemouth. He studied at Stonyhurst College, entered the Society of Jesus in 1829… -
Watrigant, Henri
Jesuit, writer on ascetical theology, b. 20 February 1845 at Lille, d. at Enghien (Belgium) on 23 February 1923. He entered the Order in 1868 and was ordained… -
Watterich, Johann Baptist
Priest and historian, b. at Trier on 22 Dec. 1826, d. at Beuron on 10 Jan. 1904. After having been professor of history at Braunsberg from 1862 to 1870, he… -
Wattson, Lewis Thomas
Founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, b. at Millington (Maryland, U.S.A.) on 16 Jan. 1863, d. at Graymoor (New York) on 8 Feb. 1940. The son of an… -
Wax Modeling (CEROPLASTICA)
CEROPLASTICA: v. SCULTURA. -
Wax Tablets (TAVOLETTE CERATE)
A writing material in common use, widely adopted by the ancients and sporadically down to almost our own day: they served above all for accounts, letters… -
Way of the Cross (VIA CRUCIS)
This name is customarily used to indicate the journey that Jesus, bearing the Cross, made from > (photo Giordani) > VIA CRUCIS - V. C. in the Basilica of… -
Wealth (RICCHEZZA)
Things that are useful, limited and material are called w. The usefulness and the limitation of a thing are understood in a subjective sense, with respect to… -
Wearmouth, Abbey of (WEARMOUTH, ABBAZIA DI)
WEARMOUTH, ABBAZIA di: v. BENEDETTO BISCOP. -
Weathers, William
Bishop, b. November 12, 1814, d. at Isleworth on March 4, 1895. Converted to Catholicism after his father's death, he was educated by the Franciscans at… -
Weber, Joseph
Philosopher, b. 23 Sept. 1753 at Rain (Upper Bavaria), d. at Augsburg on 14 Feb. 1831. He studied theology at Augsburg and philosophy at Dillingen, under the… -
Weber, Max
Sociologist, b. in Erfurt on 21 April 1864, d. in Munich on 14 July 1920. A pupil of Goldschmidt, he taught at the Universities of Berlin, Freiburg im Breisgau… -
Weedall, Henry
Prelate and educator, b. in London on 6 Sept. 1788, d. at Oscott on 7 Nov. 1859. After completing his studies at St. Mary's College in Oscott, he was ordained… -
Weihaiwei [Weihai], Apostolic Prefecture of (WEIHAIWEI, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI)
At the north-eastern extremity of the province of Shantung, in northern China. It was erected as a mission sui iuris on 18 June 1937 with 5 civil… -
Weihwei [Weihui], Diocese of (WEIHWEI, DIOCESI DI)
In the northern part of the province of Honan, in central China. It was erected as an apostolic vicariate under the name of Northern Honan on 1 September 1882… -
Weil, Simone
Born in Paris in 1909, died in the sanatorium of Ashford in England in 1943, she is a singular figure of thinker and mystic, oriented toward the Christian… -
Weingarten
Benedictine abbey in Württemberg. It is the ancient "Monasterium Vinearum" or "ad Vineas, prope Altdeffium." It was founded in 934 by Count Henry, father of… -
Weinman, Karl
Priest, musicologist, b. at Vohenstrauss (Upper Palatinate) on 22 Dec. 1873, d. at Pielenhofen (Bavaria) on 26 Sept. 1929. He was appointed director of the… -
Weiss, Albert Maria
Dominican apologist, b. 22 April 1844 at Indersdorf (Bavaria), d. 15 Aug. 1925 at Fribourg in Switzerland. A priest in 1867, he taught at Freising, where he… -
Weisse, Christian Hermann
Philosopher of the Hegelian right, b. in Leipzig on 10 Aug. 1801, d. there on 19 Sept. 1866. In Leipzig he held the chair of philosophy from 1844 until his… -
Weiss, Johann Baptist
Priest, historian, b. at Ettenheim (Baden) on 17 June 1820, d. at Graz on 8 March 1899. From 1846 he was a lecturer at the University of Freiburg im Breisgau… -
Weitenauer, Ignaz
Jesuit, polyglot and exegete, b. at Ingolstadt on 1 November 1709, d. at Salem on 4 February 1783. Having entered the Society of Jesus in 1724, he taught… -
Weitling, Wilhelm Christian
Propagandist, communist organizer, forerunner of communism in Germany, b. in Magdeburg on 8 Oct. 1807 and d. in New York on 25 Jan. 1871. A tailor, poet… -
Weizmann, Chaim (Hajjilm)
Jewish politician, b. at Motol in the province of Minsk in 1874, d. on 9 Nov. 1952. He received his first education in the Jewish elementary school, then went… -
Wellhausen, Julius
Protestant historian and philologist, b. 17 May 1844 at Hameln (Hanover), d. 7 Jan. 1918 at Göttingen. In 1872 full professor at Greifswald, he soon renounced… -
Wellington, Archdiocese of (WELLINGTON, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
It is located in the southern part of New Zealand and originally formed part of the vicariate of Western Oceania, erected in 1835, and comprised the whole of… -
Wells, Herbert George
English social writer and novelist, b. 21 Sept. 1866, d. 13 Aug. 1946, a disciple of T. H. Huxley, he was throughout his life a modernist and an apostle of… -
Welt-Bott, Der Neue
A collection of missionary letters and reports, published in the period 1726-61 and constituting 5 large tomes, divided into 9 volumes, comprising 40 parts… -
Wemmers, Jakobus
Carmelite, missionary and bishop, b. in Antwerp on 21 Oct. 1598, d. in Naples on 21 Aug. 1645. In 1617 he professed among the Carmelites of the ancient… -
Wenceslaus IV, Emperor (VENCESLAO IV, IMPERATORE)
King of Bohemia and of Germany, b. at Nuremberg on 26 Feb. 1361, d. at Prague on 9 Aug. 1419. Despite his young age, his father, the emperor Charles IV… -
Wenceslaus, Saint, Martyr (VENCESLAO, SANTO, MARTIRE)
Duke of Bohemia, of the Přemyslid family, b. ca. 907, d. at Stará Boleslav, on 28 Sept. 935. Educated in the Catholic faith by his grandmother Ludmila, he took… -
Wenck, Johannes
Theologian, b. at Herrenberg (Württemberg), d. in 1460. Recorded as a priest in 1424, at the end of 1426 he came as "magister artium" from Paris to Heidelberg… -
Wends (VENDI)
Slavic populations who inhabited vast regions, comprised between the Elbe and the Oder, and bounded to the north by the Baltic Sea and to the south by Moravia.… -
Werfel, Franz
German writer, b. in Prague to a Jewish family on Sept. 10, 1890, d. in Beverly Hills (California) on Aug. 27, 1945. He made his debut very young with… -
Werminghoff, Albert
Historian and jurist, b. 3 Aug. 1869 at Wiesbaden, d. 2 Feb. 1923 at Halle. A pupil of Scheffer-Boichorst in Berlin, from his very first work (his dissertation… -
Werner of Ratisbon (WERNER DI RATISBONA)
Franciscan mystical writer of the second half of the 13th century. Lector in the convent of Ratisbon and probably custos of Bavaria, in 1278 he was a peace… -
Werner, Zacharias
Playwright and orator, b. in Königsberg on 18 Nov. 1768, d. in Vienna on 17 Jan. 1823. Thrice divorced within a few years, he felt the need for religious… -
Wernz, Franz Xaver
Canonist, 25th general of the Society of Jesus, b. at Rottweil (Württemberg) on 4 Dec. 1842, d. at Rome on 19 Aug. 1914. Having entered the Order in 1857, he… -
Werthmann, Lorenz
Priest, founder and first president of German Caritas, b. 1 Oct. 1858 at Geisenheim, d. 10 Apr. 1921 at Freiburg im Breisgau. Surrounding himself with… -
Wesleyan Church (WESLEIANA CHIESA)
WESLEIANA CHIESA: v. METODISMO. -
Wesley, John
WESLEY, JOHN: v. METODISMO. -
Wessel, Gansfort
Theologian, b. at Groningen c. 1419 and d. there on 4 October 1489. Educated at the school of the Brothers of the Common Life at Zwolle, in 1449 he went to the… -
Wessenberg, Ignaz Heinrich von
Enlightenment thinker and Febronian, b. in Dresden on 4 Nov. 1774, d. in Constance on 9 Aug. 1860. Philosophy, theology, law and ecclesiastical history were… -
Wessobrunn Prayer (WESSOBRUNNER GEBET)
The so-called "Wessobrunn Prayer" is contained in a codex of the library of the convent of Wessobrunn in Upper Bavaria (founded in 753), now preserved in… -
Westcott, Brooke Foss
Protestant exegete, b. in Birmingham on 12 Jan. 1825, d. in Auckland on 27 July 1901. He studied at Cambridge (1844-48), where in 1870 he received a doctorate… -
Westenrieder, Lorenz von
Priest and historian, b. in Munich on 1 Aug. 1748, d. there on 15 March 1829. Ordained a priest in 1771, he was called to teach poetics and rhetoric at… -
Western Schism (SCISMA D'OCCIDENTE)
It was the most serious danger for the entire structure of the Western Church at the turn of the 14th to the 15th century. The long residence of the pontiffs… -
Westminster, Archdiocese of (WESTMINSTER, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
Archdiocese with its seat in London, England, created in 1850. It comprises the London counties north of the Thames, Middlesex and Hertfordshire. It has an… -
Westphalia (VESTFALIA)
VESTFALIA : v. WESTFALIA. -
Westphalia, Peace of (WESTFALIA, PACE DI)
A body of international treaties and internal provisions of the Kingdom of Germany (from this time generally called the Corpus Germanicum) that concluded the… -
Wettingen-Mehrerau
A "nullius" abbey, under the title of the B. Virgin Mary Maris Stella, in Switzerland, in the Canton of Aargau. Since 18 Oct. 1854 it has united the title of… -
Wettstein, Johannes Jakob
Philologist and textual critic, Protestant, b. in Basel on 5 March 1693, d. in Amsterdam on 22 March 1754. The son of a Calvinist pastor, he was professor of… -
Wetzer, Heinrich Joseph
Historian and orientalist, b. 19 March 1801 at Anzefahr (Kurhessen), d. at Freiburg im Breisgau on 5 Nov. 1853. He began the study of theology and of the… -
Wewak, Apostolic Vicariate of (WEWAK, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
By decree of 15 May 1952 the western zone was detached from the apostolic vicariate of Central New Guinea and erected into the apostolic prefecture of Aitape… -
Weynsen (Wenssen, Wentzen), Matthias
Flemish Franciscan, "learned theologian, famous preacher and ascetic" (Dirks), died, it appears, in 1547. He was guardian of the convent of his Order in… -
Wheeling, Diocese of (WHEELING, DIOCESI DI)
Diocese and city in the State of West Virginia (United States of America). The diocese of W., which covers a territory of 21,355 sq km in the State of West… -
White Brothers (FRATELLI BIANCHI)
Sect that appeared in Prussia at the beginning of the 14th century. Its adherents took this name because they wore white cloaks, on which was marked a green… -
White Fathers (PADRI BIANCHI)
PADRI BIANCHI: v. MISSIONARI D'AFRICA. -
Whitefield, George
WHITEFIELD, GEORGE: v. METODISMO. -
Whitehead, Alfred North
English mathematician, scientist and philosopher, b. at Ramsgate (Kent) on 15 Feb. 1861 and d. at Cambridge, Mass. (U.S.A.) on 30 Dec. 1947. He first taught… -
Whitehorse, Apostolic Vicariate of (WHITEHORSE, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
It is located in the Northwest of Canada and is entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. It was erected on 14 Jan. 1944 by division of the apostolic… -
White Russia (RUSSIA BIANCA)
RUSSIA BIANCA: v. BIBLORUSSIA; U.R.S.S. -
White Slave Trade (TRATTA DELLE BIANCHE)
It is the recruitment of women, carried out by violence, deceit, threats or financial offers, and their transport from one region to another, especially from… -
White, Stephen
Jesuit and historian, b. at Clonmel (Ireland) in 1573 (or 1574), d. at Galway in 1646. Having entered the Order in 1596, he was sent to Germany in 1606 and for… -
Whitman, Walt
American poet, b. in Huntington (Long Island) on 31 May 1819, d. in Camden (New Jersey) on 26 March 1892. He abandoned regular schooling at the age of twelve… -
Whittier, John Greenleaf
American poet, b. at Haverhill (Massachusetts) on 17 Dec. 1807, d. at Hampton Falls on 7 Sept. 1892. He was the son of a Quaker farmer, and the beginnings of… -
Whitty, Robert
Jesuit, b. at Pouldarrig on 7 Jan. 1817, d. on 1 Sept. 1895. A priest in 1840, he was one of the most active and zealous members of the British clergy, so much… -
Wichita, Diocese of (WICHITA, DIOCESI DI)
Diocese and city in the State of Kansas and in the ecclesiastical province of St. Louis (United States of America). The area of W. is 42,915 miles; in 1952 it… -
Wick, Joseph Lorenz
Priest, b. at Mellenthin (East Prussia) on 27 Aug. 1820, d. at Breslau on 9 Feb. 1903. Ordained a priest in 1845, he first devoted himself to teaching theology… -
Widowhood (VEDOVANZA)
It is the condition of a woman who has lost her husband. Among the Hebrews, widowhood was a state of desolation and entailed particular prohibitions (cf. Gen.… -
Wieger, Leo
Jesuit, physician, missionary and sinologist, b. in Strasbourg on 9 July 1856, d. in Sienhsien (China) on 17 March 1936. He entered the Order in 1881 and in… -
Wieland, Christoph Martin
German poet, b. at Oberholzheim (Swabia) on 5 Sept. 1733, d. at Weimar on 20 Jan. 1813. He received a Pietist education and studied law at Tübingen. In Zurich… -
Wilberforce, Henry William
Writer, b. at Clapham (England) on 22 Sept. 1807, d. at Stroud on 23 Apr. 1873. Third son of William W., the noted British statesman who devoted his entire… -
Wilcannia-Forbes, Diocese of (WILCANNIA-FORBES, DIOCESI DI)
It is located in the western zone of the State of New South Wales. It was erected under the name of W. on 10 May 1887 with territory detached from the… -
Wilfrid (Wilfrith), Saint, Bishop of York (VILFRIDO (VILFRID), VESCOVO DI YORK, SANTO)
Born in Northumbria ca. 634, of a noble family, died in the monastery of Oudle (Murcia) on 12 October or probably 24 April 709. A monk at Lindisfarne and at… -
Wilgefortis, Saint (WILGEFORTIS, SANTA)
She is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on 20 July as a virgin and martyr. The Bollandists, who were the first to concern themselves with her, stated that… -
Wilhering
Cistercian abbey on the Danube, in the diocese of Linz (Austria). It was a daughter house of Reun, of the line of Morimond. Before 1146 Ulrich and Colone of… -
Willaert, Adrien
Composer, b. in Flanders (at Bruges or Roulers) between 1480 and 1490, d. in Venice on 7 Dec. 1562. After a brief stay at the court of Ladislaus II of Bohemia… -
Willehad (Uilhard), Saint (VILLEADO (UILHARD), SANTO)
First bishop of Bremen, b. in Northumberland ca. 740, d. at Brexen on the Weser on 8 November 789. A friend of Alcuin (v.), he was probably educated at the… -
William de la Mare (GUGLIELMO DE LA MARE)
Franciscan philosopher and theologian, d. 1298. He taught at Oxford; he is the author of a Commentary on the Sentences (which, however, covers only the first… -
William II, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia (GUGLIELMO II, IMPERATORE DI GERMANIA E RE DI PRUSSIA)
B. Jan. 27, 1859 at Potsdam, d. June 4, 1941 at Doorn (Holland). Son of Frederick III of Prussia and of Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa, he became King of… -
William II, King of Sicily, called the Good (GUGLIELMO II, RE DI SICILIA, DETTO IL BUONO)
B. in 1153, d. 18 Nov. 1189. At the age of 13 he succeeded his father W. I, remaining under the regency of his mother Margaret of Navarre until 1161. He had a… -
William II, Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, Stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (GUGLIELMO II, PRINCIPE D'ORANGE, CONTE DI NASSAU, STATOLDER DELLE PROVINCE UNITE DEI PAESI BASSI)
Son of Frederick Henry, b. at The Hague on 27 May 1626, d. on 6 Nov. 1650. In 1647 W. succeeded his father, at a moment when the conflicts that had arisen… -
William II Rufus, King of England (GUGLIELMO II IL ROSSO (RUFUS), RE D'INGHILTERRA)
Third son and successor of William the Conqueror, b. between 1056 and 1060, d. 2 Aug. 1100. In foreign policy he followed his father's line, but met with… -
William I, Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, known as the Silent (GUGLIELMO I, PRINCIPE DI ORANGE, CONTE DI NASSAU, DETTO IL TACITURNO)
Born at Dillenburg (Nassau) on 24 April 1533, killed at Delft on 10 July 1584. The firstborn of William of Nassau-Dillenburg and of Juliana of Stolberg, both… -
William IV of Orange-Nassau, Stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (GUGLIELMO IV D'ORANGE-NASSAU, STATOLDER DELLE PROVINCE UNITE DEI PAESI BASSI)
B. at Leeuwarden on 1 Sept. 1711, posthumous son of John William Friso, Prince of Nassau. The events of the War of the Austrian Succession and the danger… -
William of Alnwick (GUGLIELMO DI ALNWICK)
English Scholastic, Franciscan, d. 1332. He follows Scotist doctrines, though with a certain independence. He is the author of a Commentary on the Sentences… -
William of Auvergne (GUGLIELMO D'ALVERNIA)
Medieval theologian and philosopher, b. at Aurillac after 1180, d. at Paris in 1249. He was a master of theology in the University of Paris and from 1228… -
William of Auxerre (Guillelmus Altissiodorensis) (GUGLIELMO D'AUXERNE (GUILLELMUS ALTISSIODORENSIS))
Philosopher and theologian, b. between 1144-49, d. 3 November 1231. He was a master of theology at the University of Paris, and is the author of a celebrated… -
William of Bourges, Saint (GUGLIELMO DI BOURGES, SANTO)
Archbishop, b. at Arthel, county of Nevers, in the first half of the 12th century, d. in 1209. Of the family of the counts of Nevers, he studied under his… -
William of Maleval, Saint (GUGLIELMO DA MALAVALLE, SANTO)
Founder of the Congregation of Hermits, called Guglielmini or Guglielmiti, died near Siena on 10 February 1157. He is thought to have been born in France, at a… -
William of Melitona (GUGLIELMO DI MELITONE)
Fourth Franciscan master of theology in Paris. He succeeded Odo Rigaldi in the chair in 1248. He was then master at Cambridge, and in 1256 he was charged by… -
William of Modena (GUGLIELMO DA MODENA)
Curial cardinal and papal diplomat to various royal families, b. around 1184 in Piedmont, d. 31 March 1251 at Lyon. A member of the Carthusian Order, he… -
William of Tocco (GUGLIELMO DI TOCCO)
Dominican historian, b. in the Benevento area ca. 1238, d. between 1323 and 1325. Preacher general (1288), prior of Benevento (1291) and inquisitor general of… -
William of Vercelli, Saint (GUGLIELMO DA VERCELLI, SANTO)
Founder of the hermits of Montevergine, b. at Vercelli around 1085, d. in the monastery of Guglielmo near Nusco (Avellino) in 1142. Devoting himself from youth… -
William of Vorillon (Vorillong, Forleon, Valle Rullonis) (GUGLIELMO DI VORILLON (VORILLONG, FORLEON, VALLE RULLONIS))
French Scotist of the 15th century, b. at Vorillon in the Côte-du-Nord, d. at Rome ca. 1464. A Franciscan religious at Dinant in 1429, he taught at Paris as a… -
William of York, Saint (GUGLIELMO DI YORK, SANTO)
Also known by the name of G. Fitzherbert or G. of Thwayt, d. 8 June 1154. In 1139 he was a canon and treasurer of the cathedral Chapter of York. Elected bishop… -
William Pinchon, Saint (GUGLIELMO PINCHON, SANTO)
Bishop of St-Brieuc. B. c. 1184, d. at St-Brieuc on 23 July 1234. He was ordained a priest around 1206, became bishop of St-Brieuc in 1220, and continued the… -
Williams, Roger
English Protestant polemicist and colonizer, founder of the State of Rhode Island, b. in London in 1603, d. at Providence in 1683. He studied law at Cambridge… -
William the Breton (GUGLIELMO IL BRETONE)
Franciscan, theologian and biblicist, who lived in the 13th century, of whom Fra Salimbene da Parma speaks in his chronicle; the latter met him at Lyon in 1248… -
William V the Pious, Duke of Bavaria (GUGLIELMO V IL PIO, DUCA DI BAVIERA)
B. Sept. 29, 1548, to Albert V of Wittelsbach and Anna of Austria, d. at Schleissheim on Feb. 7, 1626. He succeeded Albert V in 1579. His energetic action in… -
Willibald (Willibaldus), Saint (VILLIBALDO (WILLIBALDUS), SANTO)
Benedictine, bishop of Eichstätt, b. 22 Oct. 700 into a noble Anglo-Saxon family, d. there 7 July c. 787. Having entered the abbey of Waltham (Hampshire) at… -
Willibrord (Willibrordus), Saint (VILLIBRORDO (UILLIBRORDUS), SANTO)
Benedictine, apostle of the Frisians and first bishop of Utrecht, b. in Northumbria in 658 of an Anglo-Saxon family, d. at Echternach on 7 Nov. 739. Offered… -
Willigis (Willigiso), Saint (VILLIGISO (WILLIGISO), SANTO)
Archbishop of Mainz, one of the best statesmen of the 10th century, b. at Schüningen to a poor family, d. at Mainz on 23 February 1011. He was a canon at… -
Williram of Ebersberg (WILLIRAM DI EBERSBERG)
Benedictine abbot of Ebersberg, in the diocese of Freising (Upper Bavaria), d. 1085. His historical and cultural importance is linked to the paraphrase (a… -
Willmann, Otto
Philosopher and noted educationist, b. at Lissa (Posen) on 24 April 1839, d. at Leitmeritz on 1 July 1920. He studied at Breslau and Berlin; he taught at… -
Wilmart, Henri-Marie-André
Benedictine scholar, b. at Orléans on 28 Jan. 1876, d. at Paris on 21 Apr. 1941. the toleration of every form of worship and, in politics, for universal… -
Wilmers, Wilhelm
Jesuit, theologian, b. at Boke (Westphalia) on 30 June 1817, d. at Roermond (Holland) on 9 May 1889. Having entered the Order in 1834, he was professor of… -
Wilmington, Diocese of (WILMINGTON, DIOCESI DI)
Diocese and city in the State of Delaware, U.S.A. The diocese was erected by Pius IX on 3 March 1868 and today comprises the State of Delaware, two counties in… -
Wilpert, Joseph
Archaeologist, b. at Eiglau (Silesia) on 22 Aug. 1857, d. in Rome on 10 March 1944, dean of the Protonotaries Apostolic de numero. Ordained priest in 1883, he… -
Wilson, Woodrow
President of the United States of America, b. 28 Dec. 1856 at Staunton (Virginia), d. 3 Feb. 1924 at Washington. The son of a Presbyterian minister, he spent… -
Wilten
Abbey of Premonstratensian Canons, near Innsbruck, in Austrian Tyrol, formerly under the diocese of Bressanone. On the site of the Roman station of Veldidena… -
Wimpfeling, Jakob
Alsatian humanist and theologian, b. at Schlettstadt on 25 June 1450, d. there on 15 Nov. 1528. He attended the school of the Brethren of the Common Life in… -
Wimpina, Konrad Koch, detto
Theologian who took his name from Wimpfen on the Neckar, b. in 1465, d. 17 May 1531 at Amorbach. He studied at Leipzig from 1479. From Martin Polich, his… -
Winckelmann, Johann Joachim
Archaeologist, art historian and philosopher, b. at Stendal in Prussia on 3 Dec. 1717, d. at Trieste on 8 June 1768. Of humble origins, he studied at the… -
Windelband, Wilhelm
Philosopher and historian of philosophy, b. at Potsdam on 8 May 1848, d. at Heidelberg on 22 Oct. 1915. He studied at Jena, Berlin, Göttingen, in the school of… -
Windesheim
A Dutch locality near Zwolle (v.), where the Congregation of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine known as that of W. arose. The great reform movement of the… -
Windhoek, Apostolic Vicariate of (WINDHOEK, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI)
It is located in the northern part of South West Africa, a mandate of the Union of South Africa since 1920. On 1 Aug. 1892 the prefecture of Cimbebasia (v.… -
Windischmann, Friedrich
Sanskritist, b. 13 Dec. 1811 at Aschaffenburg, d. 23 Aug. 1861 at Munich. Son of the philosopher and physician Karl Josef W., a lecturer at the University of… -
Window (FINESTRA)
An opening through the full thickness of a wall, made for the admission of light. It may consist of one, two or more elements which are called lights… -
Windthorst, Ludwig
German politician, b. 17 January 1812 at the Caldenhof farm near Osterkappeln, d. 14 March 1891 in Berlin. From a traditionally Catholic family, his father, a… -
Winghe, Philips van
Archaeologist and artist, b. in Louvain in 1560, d. in Florence in Aug. 1592. He studied under the guidance of his learned maternal uncle A. Morillon. Already… -
Winnipeg, Archdiocese of (WINNIPEG, ARCIDIOCESI DI)
Archdiocese and city in the province of Manitoba (Canada). The archdiocese covers a territory situated in the southwest of Manitoba. In 1951, W. counted 70,815… -
Winona, Diocese of (WINONA, DIOCESI DI)
Diocese and city in the ecclesiastical province of St. Paul and in the State of Minnesota (U.S.A.). In 1952 the territory of W., which covers 12,282 miles… -
Wipo (VIPONE)
Probably a native of Burgundy (the years of his birth and death are not documented), a priest and court chaplain under the emperors Conrad II and Henry III, he… -
Wirceburgenses
A group of Jesuits, professors at the University of Würzburg, who together compiled the complete course of theology known under the name of Theologia… -
Wisdom Books (SAPIENZIALI, LIBRI)
In the division of the writings of the Old Testament into historical, prophetic and wisdom books, the latter designation includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs… -
Wisdom (in the Bible) (SAPIENZA (NELLA BIBBIA))
An ideological-ethical attitude among the ancient Israelites (Heb. hokhmáh); it was not merely an intellectual endowment, but also the foundation and at times… -
Wiseman, Nicholas Patrick
Cardinal and apologist, b. 2 Aug. 1802 at Seville, d. 15 Feb. 1865 at Westminster. Born of an English and Irish family long since emigrated to Spain, orphaned… -
Wissowa, Georg
Classical philologist, b. in Breslau on 11 June 1859, d. in Halle on 13 May 1931. In 1882 he was a Privatdozent in Breslau; in 1895 full professor in Halle. He… -
Witchcraft and Sorcery (FATTUCCHIERE E FATTURA)
FATTUCCHIERE E FATTURA: v. MAGIA. -
Witches (STREGHE)
STREGHE : V. MAGIA. -
With The Delight Of Superiors (CON L'ELIZIA DE' SUPERIORI)
Frontispiece of L'istoria della Basilica diaconale... di S. Maria in Cosmedin, Rome 1715 - Rome, copy in the National Library. several districts with tenacious… -
Witness (TESTIMONE)
A witness, or testis, is one who is called to attest to something. The facts of social life normally take place among people. The onlookers, or at least some… -
Wittelsbach, Family (WITTELSBACH, FAMIGLIA)
A noble German house descended from Margrave Luitpold, a relative of Emperor Arnulf, which is recorded as holding the castle of W. in 1115. In 1180 OTTO of W.… -
Wittmann, Georg Michael
Bishop, b. 22 Jan. 1760 at Finkenhammer (Upper Palatinate), d. 8 March 1833 at Regensburg. Ordained priest at Regensburg (1782), after some years of pastoral… -
Wittmann, Patritius (WITTMANN, PATRIZIUS)
Journalist, b. in Ellwangen (Württemberg) on 4 January 1818, d. in Munich on 3 October 1883. He began his journalistic activity, entirely dedicated to the… -
Witz, Konrad
Painter, b. around 1400 and d. around 1466 at Basel or Geneva. The first known work of K. W. is an altarpiece (after 1434) of which eight panels remain in the… -
Wolff, George Dering
Journalist, b. at Martinsburg (West Virginia) on 25 Aug. 1822, d. at Norristown (Pennsylvania) on 29 Jan. 1894. Born of a father who was a pastor of the… -
Wolff (Wolfus), Christian
Philosopher, b. at Breslau on 24 Jan. 1679, d. at Halle on 9 Apr. 1754. Presented by Leibniz to the University of Halle in 1706 as a mathematical philosopher… -
Wolfgang (Wolfgango), Saint (VOLFANGO (WOLFGANO), SANTO)
Benedictine, bishop of Regensburg and abbot of St. Emmeram, b. around 924 in Swabia and d. at Pupping (Upper Austria) on 30 October 994. He received a careful… -
Wolfram von Eschenbach
German poet, b. probably in present-day Wolfram-Eschenbach near Ansbach in Bavaria (the year of birth is not documented) into a family of the Bavarian lesser… -
Wolgemut, Michael
Painter and sculptor of Nuremberg, b. in 1434, d. in 1519, also known for having been the teacher of Albrecht Dürer, who entered his workshop at the age of… -
Wollongong, Diocese of (WOLLONGONG, DIOCESI DI)
It is located in the State of New South Wales in Australia. It was erected on 15 Nov. 1951 with territory detached from the archdioceses of Sydney and of… -
Wolsey, Thomas
English cardinal and politician, b. at Ipswich probably in 1472-73, died in Leicester Abbey on 29 Nov. 1530. He studied at Oxford until 1500; in 1507 he came… -
Wolter, Maurus (Rudolf)
Benedictine abbot, b. June 4, 1825 in Bonn, d. July 8, 1890 in Beuron. A priest in 1850, he was first director of the Gymnasium of Jülich and of the cathedral…