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223 articles · English index · Indice italiano

Wackenroder, Wilhelm Heinrich Vol. XII, p. 1022
WACKENRODER, WILHELM HEINRICH. — Writer, born in Berlin on 13 July 1773, died there on 20 February 1798. Historically, together with his friend Ludwig Tieck,…
Wacker, Theodor Vol. XII, p. 1022
WACKER, THEODOR. - German politician, b. 5 Nov. 1845 at Bohlsbach (Baden), d. 9 Nov. 1921 at Zähringen (Freiburg im Br.). In 1869 he was ordained a priest;…
Wadding, Lukas Vol. XII, p. 1022
WADDING, LUKAS. – Franciscan historian and theologian, b. at Waterford in Ireland on 16 October 1588, d. in Rome on 18 November 1657. He completed his studies…
Waffelaert, Gustavus Josephus Vol. XII, p. 1023
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…
Wagga Wagga, Diocese of (WAGGA-WAGGA, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1023
WAGGA-WAGGA, DIOCESE of. — It is situated in the State of New South Wales (Australia). The territory first belonged to the archdiocese of Sydney, then was…
Wagner, Johann (Hans), Blessed (WAGNER, JOHANN (HANS), BEATO) Vol. XII, p. 1023
WAGNER, JOHANN (HANS), blessed. – Hermit, born at Riedlingen on the Danube (between Ulm and Sigmaringen), died on 19 May 1516. In 1476 he entered as a lay…
Wagner, Peter Vol. XII, p. 1023
WAGNER, PETER. — Musicologist and Gregorianist, born at Kürenz (Trier) on 19 August 1865, died at Fribourg in Switzerland on 17 October 1931. A chorister in…
Wagner, Richard Vol. XII, p. 1023
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…
Wahhabites (WAHHĀBITI) Vol. XII, p. 1024
WAHHĀBITI: v. ISLĀM.
Wala, Saint (WALA, SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 1024
WALA, saint. - Benedictine, descended from the royal family of the Carolingians, b. c. 755; d. at Bobbio on 31 Aug. 836. Educated in the palace school, he…
Walafrid (Uualafrid, Walahfrid), Strabo (VALAFRIDO (UUALAFRID, WALAFRID), STRABONE) Vol. XII, p. 599
VALAFRIDO (UUALAFRID, WALAFRID), STRABONE. — Benedictine abbot of Reichenau (v.), Lat. Angia, nicknamed, on account of his natural short-sightedness, Strabo…
Walburga, Saint (VALBURGA, SANTA) Vol. XII, p. 600
VALBURGA, saint. – Sister of St. Villibrordo and Vunibaldo. Of Anglo-Saxon origin, born around 710, she died in her monastery on 25 February 779. She began her…
Waldeck-Rousseau, Pierre-Marie-Ernest Vol. XII, p. 1024
WALDECK-ROUSSEAU, PIERRE-MARIE-ERNEST. – French politician, born on 2 December 1846 in Nantes, died on 10 August 1904 in Paris. He practised law in St-Nazaire…
Waldo and Waldensians (VALDO E VALDESI) Vol. XII, p. 601
VALDO and VALDESI. – The Valdesi derive from a certain Valdés (Valdesius or Valdensis, later Valdo), whose first significant records date to a period between…
Walenburch, Adrian and Peter van (WALENBURCH, ADRIAN E PETER VAN) Vol. XII, p. 1024
WALENBURCH, ADRIAN and PETER van. — Theologians and controversialists of the seventeenth century. ADRIAN was born in Rotterdam (Holland) around 1608. Because…
Waleski-Colonna, Florian-Alexandre-Joseph, Count (WALEWSKI-COLONNA, FLORIAN-ALEXANDRE-JOSEPH, CONTE) Vol. XII, p. 1024
WALEWSKI-COLONNA, FLORIAN-ALEXANDRE-JOSEPH, count. — Statesman, born on 4 May 1810 at the castle of Walewice near Warsaw, died on 27 September 1868 in…
Waleys, Thomas Vol. XII, p. 1025
WALEYS, THOMAS. — Dominican theologian, born in England in the second half of the 13th century, died after 21 February 1349. A master of theology and professor…
Wallenstein, Albrecht Wenzel Eusebius Vol. XII, p. 1025
WALLENSTEIN, ALBRECHT WENZEL EUSEBIUS. — General, born on 24 Sept. 1583 at Hermaniè near Arnau (eastern Bohemia), died on 25 Feb. 1634 at Eger. Orphaned at the…
Wallis and Futuna, Apostolic Vicariate of the Islands of (WALLIS E FUTUNA, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DELLE ISOLE DI) Vol. XII, p. 1025
WALLIS and FUTUNA, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of the ISLANDS of. - It lies between the Fiji and Samoa Islands and comprises the islands of W., F., and Alofi, together…
Walsh, Thomas Vol. XII, p. 1025
WALSH, THOMAS. — Bishop, born in London in October 1777, died there on 18 February 1849. Having been left fatherless at an early age, his mother—which was…
Walsh, William Joseph Vol. XII, p. 1026
WALSH, WILLIAM JOSEPH. – Irish archbishop and primate, one of the principal advocates of the creation of a free Irish Republic, born on 30 January 1841 in…
Walter of Mortagne (WALTER DI MORTAGNE) Vol. XII, p. 1026
WALTER di MORTAGNE: v. GUALTIERO di MORTAGNE.
Walter of Rheinau (Gualtiero of Rheinau) (WALTER VON RHEINAU (GUALTIERO DI RHEINAU)) Vol. XII, p. 1026
WALTER von RHEINAU (GUALTIERO di RHEINAU). - German religious poet of the thirteenth century (?), born at Bremgarten on the Reuss (in Aargau), of the…
Walter of Saint Victor (WALTHER DI SAN VITTORE) Vol. XII, p. 1026
WALTHER di SAN VITTORE: v. GUALTIERO di SAN VITTORE.
Walter of Speyer (Gualtiero di Spira) (WALTHER VON SPEYER (GUALTIERO DI SPIRA)) Vol. XII, p. 1026
WALTHER von SPEYER (GUALTIERO di SPIRA). - German poet and religious, b. c. 965, disciple of Bishop Walderich in the monastery of S. Gallo. Having been…
Walther von der Vogelweide Vol. XII, p. 1026
WALTHER VON DER VOGELWEIDE. – Poet and knight, b. ca. 1170, perhaps originally from Tyrol, d. after 1228. His poetic beginnings took place at the Court of…
Wamba, Apostolic Vicariate of (WAMBA, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI) Vol. XII, p. 1027
WAMBA, VICARIATE APOSTOLIC of. — Situated in the north-eastern part of the Belgian Congo, it borders on the apostolic vicariates of Buta, Niangara, Lake…
Wandering Jew (EBREO ERRANTE) Vol. V, p. 39
WANDERING JEW. — A popular myth which, under the name “Ahasuerus,” personified the eternal wanderer, who after the drama of Calvary has neither homeland nor…
Wanhsien, Diocese of (WANHSIEN, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1027
WANHSIEN, DIOCESE of. - In the eastern part of the province of Szechwan, in central-western China. It was erected as an apostolic vicariate on 2 Aug. 1929 from…
Wankie, Apostolic Prefecture of (WANKIE, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI) Vol. XII, p. 1027
WANKIE, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - It is situated in Southern Rhodesia and was erected on 29 June 1953. In 1949 some fathers of the Spanish Institute of St…
War (GUERRA) Vol. VI, p. 735
GUERRA. – I. NOTIONS. – There are many definitions of war. Their extreme variety depends either on the influence of particular ideologies, or on the overly…
Warangal, Diocese of (WARANGAL, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1027
WARANGAL, DIOCESI of. - Erected by decree of the S. Congr. de Prop. Fide of 8 Jan. 1953, by separation from the Indian diocese of Hyderabad of the three civil…
Ward, Mary Vol. XII, p. 1027
WARD, MARY. – Foundress of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (v.), born at Mulwith (England) on 23 January 1585, died at Hawart on 30 January 1645.…
Ward, Mary Augusta Humphry Vol. XII, p. 1028
WARD, MARY AUGUSTA HUMPHRY. – English writer, born at Hobart (Tasmania) on 11 June 1851, died in London on 24 March 1920, niece of Dr Arnold of Rugby, brother…
Ward, William George Vol. XII, p. 1028
WARD, WILLIAM GEORGE. — A 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…
Warmia (Ermland), Diocese of (WARMIA (ERMLAND), DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1028
WARMIA (ERMLAND), DIOCESE of. — City and diocese in eastern Prussia, today in Poland. It has an area of 23,344 sq km, with a population of 749,401 inhabitants,…
Warnefridus (WARNEFRIDO) Vol. XII, p. 1028
WARNEFRIDO: V. PAOLO DIACONO.
Wars of Succession (GUERRE DI SUCCESIONE) Vol. VI, p. 744
GUERRE DI SUCCESIONE. – The name g. di s. refers to the three wars concerning Spain, Poland, and Austria that took place in the first half of the eighteenth…
Warsaw (Warszawa), Archdiocese of (VARSAVIA (WARSZAWA), ARCIDIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 641
VARSAVIA (WARSZAWA), ARCHDIOCESE of. - Archdiocese and capital city of Poland. It has an area of 12,400 sq. km., with a population of 1,990,000 inhabitants, of…
Warsaw, Archdiocese of (VARSAVIA, ARCIDIODESE DI) Vol. XII, p. 642
VARSAVIA, ARCHDIOCESE of - Cardinal Stefano Wyszyński, archbishop of Gnesna and V., was removed from office and interned by the Communist Government of Poland…
Wartenberg, Franz Wilhelm, Count of (WARTENBERG, FRANZ WILHELM, CONTE DI) Vol. XII, p. 1028
WARTENBERG, FRANZ WILHELM, Count of. - Cardinal, b. 1 March 1593 in Munich, d. 1 Dec. 1661 in Regensburg. Son of Duke Ferdinand of Bavaria and Maria von…
Washing of the Feet (LAVANDA DEI PIEDI) Vol. VII, p. 590
LAVANDA DEI PIEDI. — This is a ceremony performed on Holy Thursday. In ancient times it followed Baptism, but it was soon abandoned in several Churches. St.…
Washington, Archdiocese of (WASHINGTON, ARCIDIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1028
WASHINGTON, ARCHDIOCESE of. — Archdiocese and city in the District of Columbia (United States of America), W. covers an area of 2,104 sq. miles, with a total…
Washington, George Vol. XII, p. 1029
WASHINGTON, GEORGE. — First president of the United States, born at Bridges Creek (Virginia) on 22 February 1732, died at Mount Vernon (Virginia) on 14…
Wasmann, Erich Vol. XII, p. 1030
WASMANN, ERICH. – Jesuit, naturalist and entomologist, born in Merano (Tyrol) on 29 May 1859, died in Valkenburg (Holland) on 27 February 1931. He entered the…
Wassermann, Jakob Vol. XII, p. 1031
WASSERMANN, JAKOB. - Writer, born at Fürth on 10 March 1873 into a Jewish family, died at Altaussee (Styria) on 1 Jan. 1934. He began his career as a writer…
Water (ACQUA) Vol. I, p. 163
ACQUA. - I. A. IN THE SCIENCES. - Every form of life, including human life, takes place in an aqueous environment. Some animals, such as jellyfish, contain…
Watercolor (ACQUERELLO) Vol. I, p. 171
WATERCOLOR. - A method of painting on a white or very light ground by means of transparent colors, prepared with gum arabic and glycerin and diluted with…
Waterford and Lismore, Diocese of (WATERFORD E LISMORE, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1031
WATERFORD and LISMORE, DIOCESE of. - Located in south-eastern Ireland, in the civil province of Münster and the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. The diocese…
Waterworth, William Vol. XII, p. 1031
WATERWORTH, WILLIAM. — Jesuit, born on 22 June 1811 at St. Helen’s (Lancashire), died on 17 March 1882 at Bournemouth. He studied at Stonyhurst College,…
Watrigant, Henri Vol. XII, p. 1031
WATRIGANT, HENRI. – Jesuit, writer on asceticism, born 20 February 1845 at Lille, died at Enghien (Belgium) on 23 February 1923. He entered the Order in 1868…
Watterich, Johann Baptist Vol. XII, p. 1031
WATTERICH, JOHANN BAPTIST. - Priest and historian, b. at Treviri on 22 Dec. 1826, d. at Beuron on 10 Jan. 1904. After having been professor of history at…
Wattson, Lewis Thomas Vol. XII, p. 1031
WATTSON, LEWIS THOMAS. — Founder of the Franciscan Friars of the “Atonement,” born at Millington (Maryland, U.S.A.) on 16 January 1863, died at Graymoor (Nuova…
Wax Modeling (CEROPLASTICA) Vol. III, p. 774
CEROPLASTICA: v. SCULTURA.
Wax Tablets (TAVOLETTE CERATE) Vol. XI, p. 1092
TAVOLETTE CERATE. - Writing material of common use adopted extensively by the ancients and sporadically almost down to our own day: they were used above all…
Way of the Cross (VIA CRUCIS) Vol. XII, p. 860
VIA CRUCIS. - It is customary to designate by this name the journey that Jesus, laden with the Cross, made from (photo Giordani) VIA CRUCIS - V. C. in the…
Wealth (RICCHEZZA) Vol. X, p. 511
RICCHEZZA. – Useful, limited, and material things are called r. The usefulness and limitation of a thing are understood in a subjective sense, with respect to…
Wearmouth, Abbey of (WEARMOUTH, ABBAZIA DI) Vol. XII, p. 1032
WEARMOUTH, ABBAZIA di: v. BENEDETTO BISCOP.
Weathers, William Vol. XII, p. 1032
WEATHERS, WILLIAM. - Bishop, born 12 Nov. 1814, died at Isleworth on 4 March 1895. Having converted to Catholicism after his father’s death, he was educated by…
Weber, Joseph Vol. XII, p. 1032
WEBER, JOSEPH. - Philosopher, b. 23 Sept. 1753 at Rain (Upper Bavaria), d. at Augsburg on 14 Feb. 1831. He studied theology at Augsburg with the Jesuits and…
Weber, Max Vol. XII, p. 1032
WEBER, MAX. — Sociologist, born in Erfurt on 21 April 1864, died in Munich on 14 July 1920. A pupil of Goldschmidt, he taught at the Universities of Berlin,…
Weedall, Henry Vol. XII, p. 1032
WEEDALL, HENRY. — Prelate and educator, born in London on 6 September 1788, died at Oscott on 7 November 1859. Having completed his studies at St. Mary's…
Weihaiwei, Apostolic Prefecture of (WEIHAIWEI, PREFETTURA APOSTOLICA DI) Vol. XII, p. 1032
WEIHAIWEI, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE. — At the north-eastern extremity of the province of Shantung, in northern China. It was erected as a sui iuris mission on 18…
Weihwei, Diocese of (WEIHWEI, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1033
WEIHWEI, DIOCESI of. — In the northern part of Honan Province, in central China. It was erected as an apostolic vicariate under the name of Northern Honan on 1…
Weil, Simone Vol. XII, p. 1033
WEIL, SIMONE. – Born in Paris in 1909 and deceased at the sanatorium of Ashford in England in 1943, she was a singular figure of a thinker and mystic, oriented…
Weingarten Vol. XII, p. 1033
WEINGARTEN. — Benedictine abbey in Württemberg. It is the ancient “Monasterium Vinearum” or “ad Vineas, prope Altdeffium.” It was founded in 934 by Count…
Weinman, Karl Vol. XII, p. 1033
WEINMAN, KARL. - Priest and musicologist, b. at Vohenstrauss (Upper Palatinate) on 22 Dec. 1873, d. at Pielenhofen (Bavaria) on 26 Sept. 1929. He was appointed…
Weiss, Albert Maria Vol. XII, p. 1034
WEISS, ALBERT MARIA. — Dominican apologist, born on 22 April 1844 at Indersdorf (Bavaria), died on 15 August 1925 at Fribourg in Switzerland. Ordained a priest…
Weiss, Johann Baptist Vol. XII, p. 1034
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 privat-docent at the…
Weisse, Christian Hermann Vol. XII, p. 1034
WEISSE, CHRISTIAN HERMANN. — Philosopher of the Hegelian right, born in Leipzig on 10 August 1801, died there on 19 September 1866. In Leipzig he held the…
Weitenauer, Ignaz Vol. XII, p. 1034
WEITENAUER, IGNAZ. – Jesuit, polyglot, and exegete, born at Ingolstadt on 1 November 1709, died at Salem on 4 February 1783. He entered the Society of Jesus in…
Weitling, Wilhelm Christian Vol. XII, p. 1034
WEITLING, WILHELM CHRISTIAN. - Propagandist, communist organizer, pioneer of communism in Germany, b. at Magdeburg on 8 Oct. 1807 and d. at Nuova York on 25…
Weizmann, Chaim (Hajjilm) Vol. XII, p. 1035
WEIZMANN, CHAIM (Hajjilm). — Jewish politician, b. at Motol in the province of Minsk in 1874, d. 9 November 1952. He received his elementary education in the…
Wellhausen, Julius Vol. XII, p. 1035
WELLHAUSEN, JULIUS. – Protestant historian and philologist, born on 17 May 1844 in Hameln (Hannover), died on 7 January 1918 in Göttingen. In 1872 he became…
Wellington, Archdiocese of (WELLINGTON, ARCIDIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1035
WELLINGTON, ARCHDIOCESE of. - It is situated in the southern part of New Zealand and originally formed part of the vicariate of Western Oceania, erected in…
Wells, Herbert George Vol. XII, p. 1035
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…
Welt-Bott, Der Neue Vol. XII, p. 1036
WELT-BOTT, DER NEUE. — Collection of missionary letters and reports, published during the period 1726–61 and comprising 5 large tomes, divided into 9 volumes,…
Wemmers, Jakobus Vol. XII, p. 1036
WEMMERS, JAKOBUS. – Carmelite, missionary, and bishop, born in Antwerp on 21 October 1598, died in Naples on 21 August 1645. In 1617 he professed among the…
Wenceslaus IV, Emperor (VENCESLAO IV, IMPERATORE) Vol. XII, p. 752
VENCESLAO IV, EMPEROR. - King of Bohemia and Germany, born at Nüremberg on 26 Febr. 1361, died at Prague on 9 Aug. 1419. Despite his young age, his father,…
Wenceslaus, Saint, Martyr (VENCESLAO, SANTO, MARTIRE) Vol. XII, p. 752
VENCESLAO, saint, martyr. - Duke of Bohemia, of the Přemyslid family, b. c. 907, d. at Stará Boleslav, 28 Sept. 935. Educated in the Catholic faith by his…
Wenck, Johannes Vol. XII, p. 1036
WENCK, JOHANNES. – Theologian, born at Herrenberg (Württemberg), died in 1460. Mentioned as a priest in 1424, at the end of 1426 he came from Paris to…
Werfel, Franz Vol. XII, p. 1036
WERFEL, FRANZ. – German writer, born in Prague to a Jewish family on 10 September 1890, died in Beverly Hills (California) on 27 August 1945. He made his debut…
Werminghoff, Albert Vol. XII, p. 1037
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 first work…
Werner of Ratisbon (WERNER DI RATISBONA) Vol. XII, p. 1037
WERNER di RATISBONA. — Franciscan mystical writer of the second half of the 13th century. A lector in the convent of Ratisbona and probably custos of Baviera,…
Werner, Zacharias Vol. XII, p. 1037
WERNER, ZACHARIAS. – Dramatist and orator, b. at Königsberg on 18 November 1768, d. at Vienna on 17 January 1823. Divorced three times within the space of a…
Wernz, Franz Xaver Vol. XII, p. 1037
WERNZ, FRANZ XAVER. — Canon lawyer, 25th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, born in Rottweil (Württemberg) on 4 December 1842, died in Rome on 19 August…
Werthmann, Lorenz Vol. XII, p. 1037
WERTHMANN, LORENZ. - Priest, founder and first president of German Caritas, b. 1 Oct. 1858 at Geisenheim, d. 10 Apr. 1921 at Friburgo in Br. Having surrounded…
Wesley, John Vol. XII, p. 1038
WESLEY, JOHN: v. METODISMO.
Wesleyan Church (WESLEIANA CHIESA) Vol. XII, p. 1038
WESLEIANA CHIESA: v. METODISMO.
Wessel, Gansfort Vol. XII, p. 1038
WESSEL, GANSFORT. – Theologian, born in Groningen around 1419 and died there on 4 October 1489. Educated at the school of the Brethren of the Common Life of…
Wessenberg, Ignaz Heinrich von Vol. XII, p. 1038
WESSENBERG, IGNAZ HEINRICH von. — Enlightenment thinker and Febronian, born in Dresden on 4 November 1774, died in Constance on 9 August 1860. Philosophy,…
Wessobrunn Prayer (WESSOBRUNNER GEBET) Vol. XII, p. 1038
WESSOBRUNNER GEBET. – The so-called “Wessobrunn Prayer” is contained in a codex of the library of the monastery of Wessobrunn in Upper Bavaria (founded in…
Westcott, Brooke Foss Vol. XII, p. 1039
WESTCOTT, BROOKE FOSS. - Protestant exegete, born in Birmingham on 12 January 1825, died in Auckland on 27 July 1901. He studied at Cambridge (1844–48), where…
Westenrieder, Lorenz von Vol. XII, p. 1039
WESTENRIEDER, LORENZ VON. - Priest and historian, b. in Munich, Bavaria, 1 Aug. 1748, d. there 15 March 1829. Ordained priest in 1771, he was called to teach…
Western Schism (SCISMA D'OCCIDENTE) Vol. XI, p. 89
WESTERN SCHISM. – It was the gravest danger to the entire structure of the Western Church during the transition from the fourteenth to the fifteenth century.…
Westminster, Archdiocese of (WESTMINSTER, ARCIDIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1040
WESTMINSTER, ARCHDIOCESE of. — An archdiocese with its see in London, England, created in 1850. It comprises the counties of London north of the Thames,…
Westphalia (VESTFALIA) Vol. XII, p. 851
VESTFALIA : v. WESTFALIA.
Westphalia, Peace of (WESTFALIA, PACE DI) Vol. XII, p. 1039
WESTFALIA, PEACE OF. - Complex of international treaties and internal provisions of the Kingdom of Germany (from this time more generally called the Corpus…
Wettingen-Mehrerau Vol. XII, p. 1040
WETTINGEN-MEHRERAU. - Abbey nullius, under the title of B. Maria Vergine Maris Stella, in Switzerland, in the Canton of Aargau. Since 18 October 1854 it has…
Wettstein, Johannes Jakob Vol. XII, p. 1041
WETTSTEIN, JOHANNES JAKOB. – Philologist and scholar of textual criticism, Protestant, born in Basel on 5 March 1693, died in Amsterdam on 22 March 1754. The…
Wetzer, Heinrich Joseph Vol. XII, p. 1041
WETZER, HEINRICH JOSEPH. - Historian and Orientalist, b. 19 March 1801 at Anzefahr (Kurhessen), d. at Friburgo in Br. on 5 Nov. 1853. He began the study of…
Wewak, Apostolic Vicariate of (WEWAK, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI) Vol. XII, p. 1041
WEWAK, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — By decree of 15 May 1952, the western zone was detached from the Apostolic Vicariate of Central New Guinea and erected into…
Weynsen (Wenssen, Wentzen), Matthias Vol. XII, p. 1041
WEYNSEN (WENSSEN, WENTZEN), MATTHIAS. – Flemish Franciscan, “learned theologian, famous preacher and ascetic” (Dirks), died, apparently, in 1547. He was…
Wheeling, Diocese of (WHEELING, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1041
WHEELING, DIOCESE of. - Diocese and city in the State of West Virginia (United States of America). The diocese of W., which covers an area of 21,355 sq. km. in…
White Brothers (FRATELLI BIANCHI) Vol. V, p. 1013
FRATELLI BIANCHI. — Sect that appeared in Prussia at the beginning of the 14th century. Its adherents took this name because they wore white cloaks marked with…
White Fathers (PADRI BIANCHI) Vol. IX, p. 332
PADRI BIANCHI: v. MISSIONARI D'AFRICA. FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. – Ancient ecclesiastical writers distinguished by orthodox doctrine and holiness of life, and…
White Russia (RUSSIA BIANCA) Vol. X, p. 876
RUSSIA BIANCA: v. BIBLORUSSIA; U.R.S.S.
White Slave Trade (TRATTA DELLE BIANCHE) Vol. XII, p. 294
TRATTA DELLE BIANCHE. — This is the recruitment of women, carried out through violence, deception, threats, or financial inducements, and their transport from…
White, Stephen Vol. XII, p. 1041
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…
Whitefield, George Vol. XII, p. 1042
WHITEFIELD, GEORGE: v. METODISMO.
Whitehead, Alfred North Vol. XII, p. 1042
WHITEHEAD, ALFRED NORTH. — English mathematician, scientist, and philosopher, b. at Ramsgate (Kent) on 15 February 1861 and d. at Cambridge, Mass. (U.S.A.), on…
Whitehorse, Apostolic Vicariate of (WHITEHORSE, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI) Vol. XII, p. 1042
WHITEHORSE, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - It is situated in northwestern Canada and is entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. It was erected on 14 Jan. 1944…
Whitman, Walt Vol. XII, p. 1042
WHITMAN, WALT. — American poet, born at Huntington (Long Island) on 31 May 1819, died at Camden (New Jersey) on 26 March 1892. He abandoned regular schooling…
Whittier, John Greenleaf Vol. XII, p. 1043
WHITTIER, JOHN GREENLEAF. – American poet, born in Haverhill (Massachusetts) on 17 December 1807, died at Hampton Falls on 7 September 1892. He was the son of…
Whitty, Robert Vol. XII, p. 1043
WHITTY, ROBERT. - Jesuit, b. at Pouldarrig on 7 Jan. 1817, d. on 1 Sept. 1895. Ordained priest in 1840, he was one of the most active and zealous members of…
Wichita, Diocese of (WICHITA, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1043
WICHITA, DIOCESE of. - Diocese and city in the State of Kansas and in the ecclesiastical province of S. Luigi (United States of America). The area of W.,…
Wick, Joseph Lorenz Vol. XII, p. 1043
WICK, JOSEPH LORENZ. - Priest, born at Mellenthin (East Prussia) on 27 Aug. 1820, died at Breslavia on 9 Feb. 1903. Ordained priest in 1845, he first devoted…
Widowhood (VEDOVANZA) Vol. XII, p. 739
VEDOVANZA. — This is the condition of a woman who has lost her husband. Among the Jews, v. was a state of desolation and entailed particular prohibitions (cf.…
Wieger, Leo Vol. XII, p. 1043
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…
Wieland, Christoph Martin Vol. XII, p. 1044
WIELAND, CHRISTOPH MARTIN. — German poet, born at Oberholzheim (Swabia) on 5 September 1733, died at Weimar on 20 January 1813. He received a Pietist education…
Wilberforce, Henry William Vol. XII, p. 1044
WILBERFORCE, HENRY WILLIAM. – Writer, b. at Clapham (England) on 22 Sept. 1807, d. at Stroud on 23 Apr. 1873. The third son of William W., the renowned British…
Wilcannia-Forbes, Diocese of (WILCANNIA-FORBES, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1044
WILCANNIA-FORBES, diocese of. — It is situated in the western part of the State of New South Wales. It was erected under the name of W. on 10 May 1887, with…
Wilfrid (Wilfrith), Saint, Bishop of York (VILFRIDO (VILFRID), VESCOVO DI YORK, SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 904
VILFRIDO (VILFRID), bishop of YORK, saint. — Born in Northumbria ca. 634, of noble family; died in the convent of Oudle (Murcia) on 12 October or, more…
Wilgefortis, Saint (WILGEFORTIS, SANTA) Vol. XII, p. 1044
WILGEFORTIS, saint. – She is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on 20 July as a virgin and martyr. The Bollandists, who were the first to concern themselves…
Wilhering Vol. XII, p. 1045
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…
Willaert, Adrien Vol. XII, p. 1045
WILLAERT, ADRIEN. — Composer, born in Flanders (in Bruges or Roulers) between 1480 and 1490, died in Venice on 7 December 1562. After a brief stay at the court…
William I, Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, known as the Silent (GUGLIELMO I, PRINCIPE DI ORANGE, CONTE DI NASSAU, DETTO IL TACITURNO) Vol. VI, p. 751
GUGLIELMO I, prince of ORANGE, count of NASSAU, known as the SILENT. — Born at Dillenburg (Nassau) on 24 April 1533, killed at Delft on 10 July 1584. The…
William II Rufus, King of England (GUGLIELMO II IL ROSSO (RUFUS), RE D'INGHILTERRA) Vol. VI, p. 749
GUGLIELMO II il Rosso (Rufus), king of ENGLAND. — Third son and successor of Guglielmo il Conquistatore, b. between 1056 and 1060, d. 2 Aug. 1100. In foreign…
William II, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia (GUGLIELMO II, IMPERATORE DI GERMANIA E RE DI PRUSSIA) Vol. VI, p. 748
GUGLIELMO II, emperor of GERMANIA and king of PRUSSIA. — Born on 27 January 1859 in Potsdam, died on 4 June 1941 in Doorn (Netherlands). Son of Frederick III…
William of Alnwick (GUGLIELMO DI ALNWICK) Vol. VI, p. 746
GUGLIELMO di ALNWICK. - English Franciscan scholastic, d. 1332. He follows Scotist doctrines, though with a certain independence. He is the author of a…
William of Auvergne (GUGLIELMO D'ALVERNIA) Vol. VI, p. 746
GUGLIELMO d'ALVERNIA. – Medieval theologian and philosopher, born at Aurillac after 1180, died in Paris in 1249. He was professor of theology at the University…
William of Bourges, Saint (GUGLIELMO DI BOURGES, SANTO) Vol. VI, p. 747
GUGLIELMO di BOURGES, saint. — Archbishop, born at Arthel, county of Nevers, in the first half of the 12th century, died in 1209. Of the family of the counts…
William the Breton (GUGLIELMO IL BRETONE) Vol. VI, p. 747
GUGLIELMO il BRETONE. – Franciscan, theologian, and biblical scholar, who lived in the 13th century and is mentioned in his chronicle by fra Salimbene da…
William V the Pious, Duke of Bavaria (GUGLIELMO V IL PIO, DUCA DI BAVIERA) Vol. VI, p. 747
GUGLIELMO V the Pious, duke of BAVIERA. - B. 29 Sept. 1548, to Alberto V of Wittelsbach and Anna d'Austria; d. at Schleissheim, 7 Feb. 1626. He succeeded…
Williams, Roger Vol. XII, p. 1045
WILLIAMS, ROGER. - Protestant polemicist and English colonizer, founder of the State of Rhode Island, b. in London in 1603, d. in Providence in 1683. He…
Willibald (Willibaldus), Saint (VILLIBALDO (WILLIBALDUS), SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 908
VILLIBALDO (Willibaldus), saint. — Benedictine, bishop of Eichstätt, born on 22 October 700 into a noble Anglo-Saxon family, died there on about 7 July 787. At…
Willibrord (Willibrordus), Saint (VILLIBRORDO (UILLIBRORDUS), SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 908
VILLIBRORDO (Uillibrordus), saint. — Benedictine, apostle of the Frisians and first bishop of Utrecht, born in Northumbria in 658 of an Anglo-Saxon family,…
Willibrord, Saint (VILLIBRORDO, SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 908
VILLIBRORDO, saint — Autograph of St. V. containing the information of his arrival in France (690), of his episcopal ordination in Rome (695), and of his age,…
Willigis (Willigiso), Saint (VILLIGISO (WILLIGISO), SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 909
VILLIGISO (Willigiso), saint. — Archbishop of Mainz, one of the finest statesmen of the tenth century, born at Schüningen of a poor family, died at Mainz on 23…
Williram of Ebersberg (WILLIRAM DI EBERSBERG) Vol. XII, p. 1046
WILLIRAM of EBERSBERG. - Benedictine abbot of Ebersberg, in the diocese of Freising (Upper Bavaria), d. 1085. His historical and cultural importance is…
Willmann, Otto Vol. XII, p. 1046
WILLMANN, OTTO. – Philosopher and distinguished pedagogist, born in Lissa (Posnania) on 24 April 1839, died in Leitmeritz on 1 July 1920. He studied in Breslau…
Wilmart, Henri-Marie-André Vol. XII, p. 1046
tolerance of every religion and in politics for universal suffrage. In 1644 he returned to England to defend the interests of his colony there, and here he met…
Wilmers, Wilhelm Vol. XII, p. 1047
WILMERS, WILHELM. – Jesuit and theologian, born at Boke (Westphalia) on 30 June 1817, died at Roermond (Holland) on 9 May 1889. He entered the Order in 1834…
Wilmington, Diocese of (WILMINGTON, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1047
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 now comprises the State of…
Wilpert, Joseph Vol. XII, p. 1048
WILPERT, JOSEPH. — Archaeologist, born at Eiglau (Silesia) on 22 August 1857, died at Rome on 10 March 1944, dean of the Protonotaries Apostolic de numero.…
Wilson, Woodrow Vol. XII, p. 1048
WILSON, WOODROW. – President of the United States of America, born on 28 December 1856 at Staunton (Virginia), died on 3 February 1924 at Washington. The son…
Wilten Vol. XII, p. 1049
WILTEN. – Abbey of Premonstratensian Canons, near Innsbruck, in the Austrian Tyrol, formerly under the diocese of Bressanone. On the site of the Roman station…
Wimpfeling, Jakob Vol. XII, p. 1050
WIMPFELING, JAKOB. — Alsatian humanist and theologian, born in Schlettstadt on 25 June 1450, died there on 15 November 1528. He attended the school of the…
Wimpina, Konrad Koch, detto Vol. XII, p. 1050
WIMPINA, KONRAD KOCH, so called. — Theologian who took his name from Wimpfen on the Neckar, born in 1465, died on 17 May 1531 at Amorbach. He studied at…
Winckelmann, Johann Joachim Vol. XII, p. 1050
WINCKELMANN, JOHANN JOACHIM. — Archaeologist, art historian, and philosopher, born in Stendal, Prussia, on 3 December 1717, died in Trieste on 8 June 1768. Of…
Windelband, Wilhelm Vol. XII, p. 1051
WINDELBAND, WILHELM. – Philosopher and historian of philosophy, born in Potsdam on 8 May 1848, died in Heidelberg on 22 October 1915. He studied at Jena,…
Windesheim Vol. XII, p. 1051
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 reforming…
Windhoek, Apostolic Vicariate of (WINDHOEK, VICARIATO APOSTOLICO DI) Vol. XII, p. 1052
WINDHOEK, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - It is situated in the northern part of South-West Africa, which since 1920 has been a mandate of the Union of South Africa.…
Windischmann, Friedrich Vol. XII, p. 1052
WINDISCHMANN, FRIEDRICH. - Sanskritist, b. 13 Dec. 1811 at Aschaffenburg, d. 23 Aug. 1861 at Munich. Son of the philosopher and physician Karl Josef W.,…
Window (FINESTRA) Vol. V, p. 824
WINDOW. — An opening through the entire thickness of a wall, made to admit light. It may consist of one, two, or more elements, called lights (monofora,…
Windthorst, Ludwig Vol. XII, p. 1052
WINDTHORST, LUDWIG. — German politician, born on 17 January 1812 at the Caldenhof farmstead near Osterkappeln, died on 14 March 1891 in Berlin. Of a…
Winghe, Philips van Vol. XII, p. 1053
WINGHE, PHILIPS Van. — Archaeologist and artist, born in Leuven in 1560, died in Florence in Aug. 1592. He studied under the guidance of his learned maternal…
Winnipeg, Archdiocese of (WINNIPEG, ARCIDIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1054
WINNIPEG, ARCHDIOCESE of. - Archdiocese and city in the province of Manitoba (Canada). The archdiocese covers a territory situated in southwestern Manitoba. In…
Winona, Diocese of (WINONA, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1054
WINONA, DIOCESE of. - Diocese and city of the ecclesiastical province of S. Paolo and in the State of Minnesota (U. S. A.). In 1952, within the territory of…
Wirceburgenses Vol. XII, p. 1054
WIRCEBURGENSES. – A group of Jesuit professors at the University of Würzburg who jointly compiled a complete course of theology, known under the name of…
Wisdom (in the Bible) (SAPIENZA (NELLA BIBBIA)) Vol. X, p. 1122
SAPIENZA (in the BIBLE). – An ideological-ethical attitude among the ancient Israelites (Hebr. hokhmáh); it was not simply an intellectual gift, but also the…
Wisdom Books (SAPIENZIALI, LIBRI) Vol. X, p. 1124
WISDOM, BOOKS. - In the division of the writings of the Old Testament into historical, prophetic, and wisdom books, the latter designation includes Job,…
Wiseman, Nicholas Patrick Vol. XII, p. 1054
WISEMAN, NICHOLAS PATRICK. — Cardinal and apologist, b. on 2 August 1802 in Seville, d. on 15 February 1865 in Westminster. Of an English and Irish family that…
Wissowa, Georg Vol. XII, p. 1055
WISSOWA, GEORG. - Classical philologist, b. at Breslau on 11 June 1859, d. at Halle on 13 May 1931. In 1882 he became Privatdozent at Breslau; in 1895 full…
Witchcraft and Medicine (STREGONERIA E MEDICINA) Vol. XI, p. 862
STREGONERIA E MEDICINA - The devil holds council with the witches. Engraving from the Compendium Maleficarum by P. Fr. Maria Guazzo, Milan 1668. 1947, pp.…
Witchcraft and Sorcery (FATTUCCHIERE E FATTURA) Vol. V, p. 646
FATTUCCHIERE E FATTURA: v. MAGIA.
Witches (STREGHE) Vol. XI, p. 862
STREGHE : V. MAGIA. WITCHCRAFT AND MEDICINE. — Among primitive peoples, the sorcerer-priest receives, in a particular natural or induced state (shamanism,…
With The Delight Of Superiors (CON L'ELIZIA DE' SUPERIORI) Vol. IV, p. 502
WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SUPERIORS. (fot. Enc. Cult.) CRESCIMBENI, GIAN MARIO – Frontispiece of L'istoria della Basilica diaconale... di S. Maria in Cosmedin,…
Witness (TESTIMONE) Vol. XII, p. 35
WITNESS. — A w. or witness (testis) is one who is called to bear witness to something. The events of social life normally take place among people. The…
Wittelsbach, Family (WITTELSBACH, FAMIGLIA) Vol. XII, p. 1055
WITTELSBACH, FAMIGLIA. — Noble German family descended from the margrave Luitpold, a relative of the Emperor Arnulf, which came into possession of the castle…
Wittmann, Georg Michael Vol. XII, p. 1056
WITTMANN, GEORG MICHAEL. - Bishop, b. 22 Jan. 1760 at Finkenhammer (Upper Palatinate), d. 8 March 1833 at Ratisbona. Ordained priest at Ratisbona (1782), after…
Wittmann, Patritius (WITTMANN, PATRIZIUS) Vol. XII, p. 1056
WITTMANN, PATRIZIUS. - Journalist, b. at Ellwangen (Württemberg) on 4 Jan. 1818, d. at Munich, Bavaria, on 3 Oct. 1883. He began his journalistic activity,…
Witz, Konrad Vol. XII, p. 1056
WITZ, KONRAD. — Painter, born around 1400 and died around 1466 in Basilea or Ginevra. The first known work by K. W. is an altarpiece (after 1434), of which…
Wolff (Wolfus), Christian Vol. XII, p. 1057
WOLFF (Wolfus), CHRISTIAN. — Philosopher, born in Breslau on 24 January 1679, died in Halle on 9 April 1754. Presented by Leibniz to the University of Halle in…
Wolff, George Dering Vol. XII, p. 1057
WOLFF, GEORGE DERING. - Journalist, b. at Martinsburg (western Virginia) on 25 Aug. 1822, d. at Norristown (Pennsylvania) on 29 Jan. 1894. Born to a father who…
Wolfgang (Wolfgango), Saint (VOLFANGO (WOLFGANO), SANTO) Vol. XII, p. 990
VOLFANGO (WOLFGANO), saint. – Benedictine, bishop of Ratisbon and abbot of S. Emmeram, born ca. 924 in Swabia and died at Pupping (Upper Austria) on 30 October…
Wolfram von Eschenbach Vol. XII, p. 1057
WOLFRAM VON ESCHENBACH. – German poet, born probably in present-day Wolfram-Eschenbach near Ansbach in Bavaria (the year of his birth is not documented) to a…
Wolgemut, Michael Vol. XII, p. 1058
WOLGEMUT, MICHAEL. – Painter and sculptor of Nuremberg, born in 1434, died in 1519, also known for having been the master of Albrecht Dürer, who entered his…
Wollongong, Diocese of (WOLLONGONG, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1058
WOLLONGONG, DIOCESE of. — It is situated in the State of New South Wales in Australia. It was erected on 15 November 1951 from territory detached from the…
Wolsey, Thomas Vol. XII, p. 1058
WOLSEY, THOMAS. — English cardinal and statesman, born at Ipswich probably in 1472–73, died at Leicester Abbey on 29 November 1530. He studied at Oxford until…
Wolter, Maurus (Rudolf) Vol. XII, p. 1058
WOLTER, MAURUS (RUDOLF). — Benedictine abbot, b. 4 June 1825 in Bonn, d. 8 July 1890 in Beuron. Ordained a priest in 1850, he was initially director of the…
Woman (DONNA) Vol. IV, p. 1084
DONNA. - I. NATURE AND PERSONALITY. - Philosophy, insofar as natural perfection and the dignity of the person are concerned; divine Revelation, insofar as…
Women of Catholic Action (DONNE DI AZIONE CATTOLICA) Vol. IV, p. 1087
DONNE DI AZIONE CATTOLICA: v. UNIONE DONNE DI AZIONE CATTOLICA.
Wood (LEGNO) Vol. VII, p. 654
WOOD. — From the earliest manifestations of Mediterranean civilization, fine-quality wood was employed in the applied arts. During the early Christian and…
Woods, Julian Edmund Tenison Vol. XII, p. 1059
WOODS, JULIAN EDMUND TENISON. - Naturalist, b. 15 Nov. 1832 at Southwark, d. 7 Oct. 1889 at Sydney. Having converted to Catholicism, he entered the…
Woolman, John Vol. XII, p. 1059
WOOLMAN, JOHN. — Quaker preacher, born in New Jersey on 19 October 1720, died in York on 7 October 1772. At the age of 26 he felt himself called by God to…
Worcester, Diocese of (WORCESTER, DIOCESI DI) Vol. XII, p. 1059
WORCESTER, DIOCESE of. — City and diocese in the State of Massachusetts. The diocese of W., suffragan of Boston, was erected by Pius XII, by the apostolic…
Wordsworth, William Vol. XII, p. 1059
WORDSWORTH, WILLIAM. – English Romantic poet, b. at Cockermouth in Cumberland on 7 April 1770, d. at Rydal Mount on 23 April 1850. He was in France in 1792 and…
Work (LAVORO) Vol. VII, p. 592
LABOR. - In the historical order, labor is the second factor of production: it is the first in dignity and importance. It can be defined as conscious and…
Work of the Congresses and Catholic Committees in Italy (OPERA DEI CONGRESSI E DEI COMITATI CATTOLICI IN ITALIA) Vol. IX, p. 117
OPERA DEI CONGRESSI E DEI COMITATI CATTOLICI IN ITALIA. — This was the foremost organization of Italian Catholics. On 2 October 1870, the Supreme Council of…
Workers (OPERAI) Vol. IX, p. 119
OPERAI: v. LAVORO; PROLETARIATO; SALARIO.
Workers' Pensions (PENSIONI OPERAIE) Vol. IX, p. 694
PENSIONI OPERAIE: V. ASSICURAZIONI SOCIALI.
Workers' Shareholding (AZIONARIATO DEL LAVORO) Vol. II, p. 350
AZIONARIATO DEL LAVORO. — This is one of the correctives to the wage system, whereby workers and employees obtain ordinary or special shares in the same…
Works Affiliated with Italian Catholic Action (OPERE ADERENTI ALL'AZIONE CATTOLICA ITALIANA) Vol. IX, p. 119
OPERE ADERENTI ALL'AZIONE CATTOLICA ITALIANA. — These are Catholic bodies and institutions of an economic-social character. The statutes of Azione Cattolica…
Works Dependent on the Associations of Italian Catholic Action (OPERE DIPENDENTI DALLE ASSOCIAZIONI DELL'AZIONE CATTOLICA ITALIANA) Vol. IX, p. 122
WORKS DEPENDENT ON THE ASSOCIATIONS OF ITALIAN CATHOLIC ACTION. — These are groupings of persons, specialized according to professional category, promoted…
World War I (GUERRA MONDIALE, I) Vol. VI, p. 741
WORLD WAR, I. - The immediate cause of the outbreak of the world war was the assassination of Archduke Francesco Ferdinando, heir to the Habsburg throne, and…
World War II (GUERRA MONDIALE, II) Vol. VI, p. 742
GUERRA MONDIALE, II. - On 1 September 1939 Germany attacked Poland: this was the date on which the Second World War began. France and England immediately…
World, Origin of the (MONDO, ORIGINE DEL) Vol. VIII, p. 768
MONDO, ORIGINE del: v. CREAZIONE; for the age of the world and its corresponding iconography: v. UNIVERSO.
Worms Vol. XII, p. 1059
WORMS. — City and ancient diocese in Germany. It is the Celtic “Borbetomagus,” the Roman “Vormatia.” There is no certain information concerning the origin of…
Wounds of Jesus Christ, Devotion to the (PIAGHE DI GESÙ CRISTO, DEVOZIONE ALLE) Vol. IX, p. 797
DEVOTION TO THE WOUNDS OF JESUS CHRIST. - Visible signs of the immense charity of God made man toward men, the wounds are almost a pledge of salvation for…