(Latin: rag, patchwork)
Literary composition constructed by choosing passages of prose or poetry from one or more authors so as to form a whole having no connection with the original subjects, especially popular during the Middle Ages. The Byzantine empress Eudoxia is credited with having formed a history of the fall and redemption of man with lines from the works of Homer, while the works of Vergil supplied the material for the notable "Cento nuptialis" compiled by the Roman poet Ausonius, and for a life of Christ, compiled in 1634 by Alexander Ross.
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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