Systematic mental, moral, and physical training under authority; order maintained by persons under control, e.g., soldiers, pupils; an instrument of penance, such as a whip or scourge; self-flagellation, a private means of penance and mortification in use from an early date in most religious orders; punishment administered with a view to correction; the exercise by the Church of its power of spiritual punishment; the laws and directions laid down and formulated by church authority for the guidance of the faithful.
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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