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Religion and Spirituality - An open forum for the discussion of religion and spirituality. This forum is not intended solely for one religion nor is is intended to bash on any religion. It is for the discussion of any and all religions and forms of spirituality.
Rationale - Collar ornamented in the front and back with appendages worn by the Bishops of Eichstätt, Paderborn, Toul, and Cracow.
Rationalism - Term used in an exact sense, to designate a particular moment in the development of Protestant thought in Germany, or in a broader, and more usual, sense to cover the view that the human reason, or understanding, is the sole source and final test of all truth.
Ratisbon - German diocese embracing the greater portion of the administrative district of Oberpfalz, and portions of Upper and Lower Bavaria, and Upper Franconia.
Ratisbonne, Maria Theodor - Preacher, writer, and director of the Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers. (1802-1884)
Ratramnus - Ninth-century Benedictine monk and author.
Ratzeburg, Ancient See of - Ancient German diocese that was suffragan to Hamburg and embraced the Duchy of Lauenburg (Holstein) in the Prussian Province of Schleswig- Holstein, the Principality of Ratzeburg in the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and the western part of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, including Wismar but not Schwerin.
Ratzinger, Georg - Political economist and social reformer. (1844-1899)
Reading Abbey - Abbey founded by Henry I in 1121 and located in Surrey, England.
Reason - Article discussing various definitions of the term.
Recanati and Loreto - Diocese based around the province of Ancona in Central Italy.
Rechab and the Rechabites - Rechab was the father of Jonadab who in IV Kings, x, 15-28, appears as a fervent supporter of Jehu's attack on the House of Achab. The Rechabites were his descendants.
Recollection - Recollection, as understood in respect to the spiritual life, means attention to the presence of God in the soul.
Rector - Priests who preside over missions or quasi-parishes.
Recusants, English - People who refrained from attending Church of England services.
Red Sea - The north-west arm of the Indian Ocean, some 1400 miles long and lying between Arabia on the east and Africa on the west.
Redeemer, Feast of the Most Holy - Feast that is found only in the special calendar of some dioceses and religious orders, and is celebrated with proper Mass and Office either on the third Sunday of July or on 23 October.
Redeemer, Knights of the - A secular community founded in 1608 by the Duke of Mentone, Vincent Gonzaga, on the occasion of the marriage of his eldest son Francis II Gonzaga with Marguerite of Savoy.
Redemption - The restoration of man from the bondage of sin to the liberty of the children of God through the satisfactions and merits of Christ.
Redemption in the Old Testament - Strictly deliverance by payment of a price or ransom, or simply deliverance by power, as from oppression, violence, or captivity.
Redemptions, Penitential - The substitution of exercises either easier or extending over a shorter period, for works of penance imposed according to the penitential canons.
Redemptoristines - Community of nuns formed in Scala, Italy, by Father Thomas Falcoia.
Redemptorists - Society of missionary priests founded by St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori in 1732 at Scala, Italy.
Referendarii - Officials in the Byzantine Court who reported to the emperor on the memorials of petitioners, and conveyed to the judges the orders of the emperor in connexion with such memorials.
Reform of a Religious Order - Return or bringing back of an order from a mitigated or relaxed observance to the rigour of its primitive rule.
Reformation, The - Sixteenth century religious movement led by Martin Luther.
Reformed Churches - Protestant bodies which adopted the tenets of Zwingli and, later, the doctrinal principles of Calvin.
Refuge, Cities of - Towns which according to the Jewish law enjoyed the right of asylum and to which anyone who had unintentionally slain another might flee and be protected from the "avenger of blood".
Regale, Droit de - Document denoting those rights that belonged exclusively to the king.
Regalia - The insignia of royalty or "crown jewels".
Regeneration - Biblico-dogmatic term closely connected with the ideas of justification, Divine sonship, and the deification of the soul through grace.
Regesta, Papal - Copies, generally entered in special registry volumes, of the papal letters and official documents that are kept in the papal archives.
Regionarii - The name given in later antiquity and the early Middle Ages to those clerics and officials of the Church of Rome who were attached neither to the papal palace or the titular churches of Rome, but to one of the city regions, or wards, which was assigned as their official district.
Registers, Parochial - Five distinct parish registers that a pastor must have: one each of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and deaths; and a fifth containing a census or general account of the state of souls in the parish.
Remy, Abbey of Saint - Abbey located in Reims, France that acquired the relics of St. Remy in 553.
Renaissance, The - Period of revival of classic, especially of Greek, learning and the recovery of ancient art in the departments of sculpture, painting, and architecture.
Renunciation - A canonical term signifying the resignation of an ecclesiastical office or benefice.
Reordinations - The history of all ordinations which were considered null for any other reason than defect of the prescribed form or intention and which were repeated.
Reparation - Theological concept of God demanding satisfaction for the injuries which man had done Him.
Repington, Philip - Fourteenth-and-fifteenth century cardinal-priest of the title of SS.
Repose, Altar of - Sometimes called less properly sepulchre or tomb, more frequently repository.
Rerum Deus Tenax Vigor - Brief article on a hymn for None, one of the "little hours." Mid-afternoon.
Rerum Novarum - The opening words and the title of the Encyclical issued by Leo XIII, 15 May, 1891, on the "Condition of Labour".
Rescripts, Papal - Responses of the pope or a Sacred Congregation, in writing, to queries or petitions of individuals.
Reservation - The restriction in certain cases by a superior of the jurisdiction ordinarily exercised by an inferior.
Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament - The practice of preserving after the celebration of the Liturgy a portion of the consecrated elements for the Communion of the sick or for other pious purposes. The extreme antiquity of such reservation cannot be disputed.
Reserved Cases - A term used for sins whose absolution is not within the power of every confessor.
Residence, Ecclesiastical - A remaining or abiding where one's duties lie or where one's occupation is properly carried on.
Revolution, English, of 1688 - The history of the Revolution resolves itself into a catalogue of various ill-judged measures which alienated the support of the Established Church, the Tory party, and the nation as a whole.
Rhosus - A titular see in Cilicia Secunda, suffragan to Anazarba.
Rhymed Bibles - Short article on rhymed versions of the Bible, which are almost always psalters or only part of the Psalms.
Rhythmical Office - A liturgical horary prayer, the canonical hours of the priest, or an office of the Breviary, in which not only the hymns are regulated by a certain rhythm, but where, with the exception of the psalms and lessons, practically all the other parts show metre, rhythm, or rhyme.
Ribe, Ancient See of, in Denmark (Jutland) - Diocese that once consisted of the modern Danish Provinces of Ribe, Vejle, and Ringkjöbing, and of part of North Schleswig.
Ribeirao Preto - A suffragan see of the Archdiocese of São Paulo, Brazil.
Richard de Wyche, Saint - The devoted companion of St. Edmund Rich, was bishop of Chichester. Richard died in 1253, and was canonized less than 10 years later.
Richard Langley, Blessed - Biographical portrait of the Yorkshire layman who refused to compromise his faith, and who paid the price for it. He was martyred in 1586.
Richard Leigh, Blessed - Article on this English priest and missionary to his native land, martyred in 1588.
Ritual - One of the official books of the Roman Rite. It includes all the services performed by a priest that are not in the Missal and Breviary and has also, for convenience, some that are in those books.
Ritualists - The advanced section of the High Church party in the Anglican Establishment, which since about 1860 has adhered to and developed further the principles of the earlier Tractarian Movement.
Robert Anderton, Blessed - English priest and friend of William Marsden. The two were shipwrecked, whereupon they were arrested for being priests coming into England from abroad, and tried on the "bloody question." They were hanged, drawn, and quartered in 1586.
Robert Morton, Blessed - Brief biography of the English priest, martyred at London in 1588, along with a layman, Hugh Moor. Article also mentions others martyred on the same day elsewhere in England, including the Bl. William Dean.
Robert Nutter, Blessed - Information on this English priest and martyr, blood brother of John Nutter. Also details on Edward Thwing, a priest and professor from near York. Robert Nutter and Thwing were martyred together in 1600.
Robert of Arbrissel - Itinerant preacher and founder of Fontevrault. (b. 1047)
Robert Pullus - Twelfth-century Cardinal, English philosopher and theologian.
Robert, Saint - French Benedictine, founder of the Abbey of Chaise-Dieu, d. 1067.
Robert Southwell, Saint - Biography of the English poet, Jesuit, and martyr. He was hanged in 1595.
Robert Thorpe, Blessed - Brief account of the martyrdom of the Yorkshire priest, who was hanged in 1591.
Robert Wilcon, Blessed - Biographical details on this English priest and two of his companions in martyrdom: fellow priest "Edward Campion" and layman Robert Widmerpool. Martyred in 1588.
Rocamadour - Communal chief town of the canton of Gramat, district of Gourdon, Department of Lot, in the Diocese of Cahors and the ancient province of Quercy.
Rocca, Angelo - Founder of the Angelica Library at Rome. (1545-1620)
Roch, Saint - Early 14th century. While on pilgrimage, Roch acquired renown for healing plague victims. He himself was stricken with the plague. Upon returning to his hometown, he was cast into prison as an accused spy, where he died.
Rochester, Ancient See of - The oldest and smallest of all the suffragan sees of Canterbury, was founded by St. Augustine, Apostle of England, who in 604 consecrated St. Justus as its first bishop.
Rock, Daniel - English antiquarian and ecclesiologist. (1799-1871)
Rockford, Diocese of - Created 23 September, 1908, in the north-western part of the State of Illinois.
Rococo Style - A discussion of this whimsical style, its origins and uses.
Rodez - The Diocese of Rodez was united to the Diocese of Cahors by the Concordat of 1802, and again became an episcopal see by the Concordat of 1817 and Bull of 1822.
Roermond - Diocese in Holland; suffragan of Utrecht.
Rogation Days - Days of prayer, and formerly also of fasting, instituted by the Church to appease God's anger at man's transgressions, to ask protection in calamities, and to obtain a good and bountiful harvest.
Roger Bacon - Philosopher, born at Ilchester, Somersetshire, about 1214; died at Oxford, perhaps 11 June, 1294.
Rolls Series - A collection of historical materials of which the general scope is indicated by its official title, "The Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages".
Rolph, Thomas - Surgeon and writer of several works on emigration. (1800-1858)
Roman Catechism - This catechism differs from other summaries of Christian doctrine for the instruction of the people in two points: it is primarily intended for priests having care of souls (ad parochos), and it enjoys an authority equalled by no other catechism.
Roman Catholic - A qualification of the name Catholic commonly used in English-speaking countries by those unwilling to recognize the claim of being the One True Church.
Roman Colleges - This article treats of the various colleges in Rome which have been founded under ecclesiastical auspices and are under ecclesiastical direction, with the exception of those that are treated separately under their respective titles throughout the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Roman Congregations - The most important of certain departments organized by the Holy See at various times to assist it in the transaction of those affairs which canonical discipline and the individual interests of the faithful bring to Rome.
Roman Curia - Strictly speaking, the ensemble of departments or ministries which assist the sovereign pontiff in the government of the Universal Church.
Roman Rite, The - The manner of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice, administering Sacraments, reciting the Divine Office, and performing other ecclesiastical functions as used in the city and Diocese of Rome.
Romanos Pontifices, Constitutio - The constitution makes clear the following: though regulars according to canon law are subject immediately to the Holy See, bishops are given jurisdiction over small communities.
Romans, Epistle to the - The subject is treated under the following heads: I. The Roman Church and St. Paul; II. Character, Contents, and Arrangement of the Epistle; III. Authenticity; IV. Integrity; V. Date and Circumstances of Composition; VI. Historical Importance; VII, Theological Contents: Faith and Works (Paul and James).
Romanus, Pope - Ninth-century Pope who reigned for four months in 897.
Romanus, Saints - Mentions and gives brief profiles of several saints of this name.
Rome - The significance of Rome lies primarily in the fact that it is the city of the pope.
Rome, University of - The university is now under the control of the Italian Government and is called the Royal University.
Romero, Juan - Missionary and Indian linguist. (1559-1630)
Romuald, Saint - Italian-born founder of the Camaldolese, d. 1027.
Romulus Augustulus - Deposed in the year 476, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
Ronan, Saint - Article describing the most celebrated of the twelve Irish saints known as Ronan.
Rosary, Confraternity of the - The Perpetual Rosary is an organization for securing the continuous recitation of the Rosary by day and night among a number of associates who perform their allotted share at stated times.
Rosary, Feast of the Holy - At the request of the Dominican Order Gregory XIII in 1573 allowed this feast to be kept in all churches which possessed an altar dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
Rosary, The - History of this devotion. Also considers the Orthodox and Eastern-Rite Catholic practice.
Roscelin - A monk of Compiègne, was teaching as early as 1087.
Roscommon - Capital of County Roscommon, Ireland; owes origin and name to a monastery founded by St. Coman in the first half of the eighth century on a "ros" or wooded point amidst marshes.
Rose of Lima, Saint - Biographical article on the first American to be named a saint.
Rose of Viterbo, Saint - Third order Franciscan, preached repentance. She died at the age of 17, in 1252.
Rosea - The official catalogue of the Roman Curia mentioned formerly a titular see of Rosea in Syria.
Roseau - Diocese; suffragan of Port of Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I.
Rosenau - Diocese in Hungary, suffragan of Eger, established by Maria Theresa, in 1775-76.
Rosicrucians - The original appelation of the alleged members of the occult-cabalistic-theosophic "Rosicrucian Brotherhood", described in the pamphlet "Fama Fraternitatis R.C."
Roskovanyi, August - Bishop of Neutra in Hungary, doctor of philosophy and theology. (1807-1892)
Rosmini and Rosminianism - Antonio Rosmini Serbati, philosopher, and founder of the Institute of Charity, born 24 March, 1797, at Rovereto, Austrian Tyrol; died 1 July, 1855, at Stresa, Italy.
Rosminians - The Institute of Charity, or, officially, Societas a charitate nuncupata, is a religious congregation founded by Antonio Rosmini, first organized in 1828.
Rota, Sacra Romana - One of three tribunals instituted by the "Sapienti Consilio" constitution of 1908.
Roth, Heinrich - Missionary in India and Sanskrit scholar. (1620-1668)
Rothe, David - Bishop of Ossory in Ireland. (1573-1650)
Rottenburg - Diocese; suffragan of the ecclesiastical Province of the Upper Rhine.
Rotuli - Rolls in which a long narrow strip of papyrus or parchment, written on one side, was wound like a blind about its staff.
Rouen, Archdiocese of - Revived by the Concordat of 1802 with the Sees of Bayeux, Evreux, and Séez as suffragans: it also includes the Department of the Seine Inferieure.
Rouen, Synods of - The first synod is generally believed to have been held by Archbishop Saint-Ouen about 650.
Rouquette, Adrien - Scholar and missionary to the Choctaw Indians. (1813-1887)
Royal Declaration, The - The name most commonly given to the solemn repudiation of Catholicity which, in accordance with provisions of the "Bill of Rights" (1689) and of "the Act of Succession" (1700), every sovereign succeeding to the throne of Great Britain was required to make in the presence of the assembled Lords and Commons.
Rubrics - Among the ancients, according to Columella, Vitruvius, and Pliny, the word rubrica, rubric, signified the red earth used by carpenters to mark on wood the line to follow in cutting it; according to Juvenal the same name was applied to the red titles under which the jurisconsults arranged the announcements of laws.
Rubruck, William - Thirteenth-century Franciscan missionary and writer of travels.
Ruffini, Paolo - Physician and mathematician. (1765-1822)
Rufford Abbey - A monastery of the Cistercian Order, situated on the left bank of the Rainworth Water, about two miles south of Ollerton in Nottinghamshire.
Rufina, Saints - Brief notices on four saints of this name.
Rufinus, Saint - Record of the eleven saints named Rufinus in the Roman Martyrology.
Rufus, Saints - Record of the ten saints named Rufus in the Roman Martyrology.
Russia, The Religion of - There are two theories in regard to the early Christianity of Russia; according to one of them, Russia was Catholic from the times when she embraced Christianity until the twelfth century; the other holds that Russia was always Orthodox.
Rusticus of Narbonne, Saint - Monk from Gaul, became bishop of Narbonne. Zealous opponent of the Arians and Nestorians.
Ruth, Book of - One of the proto-canonical writings of the Old Testament.
Ruthenian Rite - There is no separate and distinct rite for the Ruthenians, but the name is often used for the modifications which the Ruthenians have introduced in the Byzantine or Greek Rite.
Ruthenians - A Slavic people from Southern Russia, Galicia and Bukowina in Austria, and North-eastern Hungary.
Rutter, Henry - English priest and writer. (1755-1838)
Ruvo and Bitonto - Diocese in the Province of Bari, Aquileia, Southern Italy. Ruvo, the ancient Rubi, situated on a calcareous hill, includes a fine Norman cathedral of the eleventh century.
Ruysch, John - Astronomer, cartographer, and painter. (d. 1533)
Ryan, Father Abram J. - Poet, newspaper editor and Confederate chaplain. (1839-1886)
Ryan, Patrick John - Sixth Bishop and second Archbishop of Philadelphia. (1831-1911)
