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Afflighem Afflighem- Benedictine abbey in Belgium. Affirmation Affirmation- A solemn declaration accepted in legal procedure in lieu of the requisite oath. Affinity (in Canon Law) Affinity (in Canon Law)- A relationship arising from the carnal intercourse of a man and a woman, sufficient for the generation of children, whereby the man becomes related to the… Affinity (in the Bible) Affinity (in the Bible)- Scripture recognizes affinity as an impediment to wedlock. Aetius Aetius- A Roman general, patrician, and consul, b. towards the end of the fourth century; d. 454. Aeterni Patris Aeterni Patris- An encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII (issued 4 August, 1879); not to be confused with the apostolic letter of the same name written by Pope Pius IX. Aeterni Patris Aeterni Patris- The Apostolic Letter of Pius IX, by which he summoned the Vatican Council. It is dated Rome, 29 June, 1868. Aesthetics Aesthetics- May be defined as a systematic training to right thinking and right feeling in matters of art, and is made a part of philosophy by A.G. Baumgarten. Aerius of Pontus Aerius of Pontus- A friend and fellow ascetic of Eustathius, who became Bishop of Sebaste (355), and who ordained Aërius and placed him over the hospital or asylum in that city. Aer Aer- The largest and outer-most covering of the chalice and paten in the Greek church, corresponding to the veil in the Latin rite. Aeons Aeons- The term appropriated by Gnostic heresiarchs to designate the series of spiritual powers evolved by progressive emanation from the eternal Being. Aenon Aenon- Mentioned in John 3:23, as the locality where the forerunner of Christ baptized. Aeneas of Gaza Aeneas of Gaza- A Neo-Platonic philosopher, a convert to Christianity, who flourished towards the end of the fifth century. Aelnoth Aelnoth- Monk and biographer, of whom nothing is known except his Life of St. Canute the Martyr, written in 1109. Aegidius of Viterbo Aegidius of Viterbo- Cardinal, theologian, orator, humanist, and poet, born at Viterbo, Italy; died at Rome, 1532. Aedh of Kildare Aedh of Kildare- Sixth-century King of Leinster, Ireland. Adytum Adytum- A secret chamber or place of retirement in the ancient temples, and esteemed the most sacred spot; the innermost sanctuary or shrine. Advowson Advowson- In English law the right of patronage of a church or ecclesiastical benefice, a right exercised by nomination of a clergyman to such church or other benefice. Advocatus Ecclesia Advocatus Ecclesia- A name applied, in the Middle Ages, to certain lay persons, generally of noble birth, whose duty it was, under given conditions, to represent a particular chur… Advocatus Diaboli Advocatus Diaboli- A title given to an officer of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, established in 1587, by Sixtus V, to deal juridically with processes of beatification and canon… Advocates of St. Peter Advocates of St. Peter- A body of jurists constituting a society whose statutes were confirmed by a brief of Leo XIII, 5 July, 1878. Advocates of Roman Congregations Advocates of Roman Congregations- Persons, ecclesiastical or lay, versed in canon and civil law, who plead causes before the ecclesiastical tribunals in Rome. Advertisements, Book of Advertisements, Book of- A series of enactments concerning ecclesiastical matters, drawn up by Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury (1559-75). Apocatastasis Apocatastasis- A name given in the history of theology to the doctrine which teaches that a time will come when all free creatures will share in the grace of salvation; in a speci… Adrian II, Pope Adrian II, Pope- Reigned 867-872. Adventists Adventists- A group of six American Protestant sects which hold in common a belief in the near return of Christ in person. Advent Advent- According to 1907 usage, a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and embracing four Sundays. Adultery Adultery- The article considers adultery with reference only to morality. Adulteration of Food Adulteration of Food- This act is defined as the addition of any non-condimental substance to a food. Adullam Adullam- Details on two places with this name.