(c.1266-1290) Depicted in Dante's poetry as his guide through Paradise, was the daughter of a Florentine merchant, Portinari, and wife of Simone dei Bardi. Dante's love for her was purely spiritual and mystical, and after her death his idealized love for her was expressed in the Vita Nuova, a collection of sonnets. She is the central figure of the Divina Commedia, representing Heavenly Wisdom.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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