Important confederation of Algonquian tribes formerly occupying Illinois with portions of adjacent states, numbering from 8000-10,000. To both French and English they were friendly, the pioneer Father Allouez being the first white man to make their acquaintance. To Father Gravier we owe the first grammar and dictionary of the language. The Jesuit missions were suppressed, 1763. The Illinois were receptive but fickle and were ruined by contact with French garrisons.
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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