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Altar, Stripping of an Altar, Stripping of an- Removal of the altar-cloths, vases of flowers, antipendium, and other ornaments, so that nothing remains but the cross and the candlesticks with the candle… Altar, Privileged Altar, Privileged- An altar is said to be privileged when, in addition to the ordinary fruits of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, a plenary indulgence is also granted whenever Mass is c… Altar, Portable Altar, Portable- Consists of a solid piece of natural stone which must be sufficiently hard to resist every fracture. Altar, Double Altar, Double- An altar having a double front constructed in such a manner that Mass may be celebrated on both sides of it at the same time. Altar Candles Altar Candles- For mystical reasons the Church prescribes that the candles used at Mass and at other liturgical functions be made of beeswax. Altar (in Liturgy) Altar (in Liturgy)- In the New Law the altar is the table on which the Eucharistic Sacrifice is offered. Altamura and Acquaviva Altamura and Acquaviva- An exempt archipresbyterate in the province of Bari, in southern Italy. Altamirano, Diego Francisco Altamirano, Diego Francisco- Jesuit. (1625-1715) Alsace-Lorraine Alsace-Lorraine- The German Imperial Territory so known, and divided for State purposes into three civil districts. Alpini, Prospero Alpini, Prospero- Physician and botanist. (1553-1617) Alphabet, Christian Use of the Alphabet, Christian Use of the- The Hebrew, Greek and Latin alphabets have been variously made use of in Christian liturgy. Alpha and Omega Alpha and Omega- Includes Jewish and Christian meanings. Alpha and Omega (in Scripture) Alpha and Omega (in Scripture)- Employed from the fourth century as a symbol expressing the confidence of orthodox Christians in the scriptural proofs of Our Lord's divinity. Alogi Alogi- A party of heretics who arose after the Cataphrygians, Quartodecimans, and others, and who received neither the Gospel of St. John nor his Apocalypse. Alms and Almsgiving Alms and Almsgiving- Any material favour done to assist the needy, and prompted by charity. Almond, Oliver Almond, Oliver- Sixteenth-century English priest and writer. Almond, John Almond, John- English Cistercian and Confessor the Faith. (d. 1585) Almici, Camillo Almici, Camillo- Italian Oratorian priest. (1714-1779) Almeria Almeria- A suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Granada in Spain. Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday- The Wednesday after Quinquagesima Sunday, which is the first day of the Lenten fast. Almeida, John Almeida, John- Jesuit missionary. (1571-1653) Almagro, Diego de Almagro, Diego de- Generally considered a foundling; came to Panama in 1514 with Pedro Arias de Avila (D'Avila), and soon distinguished himself in military expeditions. Alma Redemptoris Mater Alma Redemptoris Mater- The opening words of one of the four Antiphons sung at Compline and Lauds, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, at various seasons of the year. Alma Alma- A Hebrew word signifying a "young woman", unmarried as well as married. Allouez, Claude Allouez, Claude- Jesuit missionary and explorer. (1620-1689) Altar, History of the Christian Altar, History of the Christian- An elevated surface, tabular in form, on which the Sacrifice of the Mass is offered. Allot, William Allot, William- English priest, died about 1590. Allori Allori- Information on three people with this name. Allocution Allocution- A solemn form of address or speech from the throne employed by the Pope on certain occasions. Allison, William Allison, William- One of the English priests who were victims of the plots of 1679-80.