Congregations with statutes prescribing deeds of penance and mercy, fasting, wearing rough garments, visiting the sick, burying the dead, dowering young girls, assisting prisoners, especially when condemned to death. They are classified by the color of the garb worn for processions and devotional exercises, as White, Grey, Blue, Black, Red, VIolet, Green. They flourished chiefly in Italy, France, and Spain between the 13th and 16th centuries.
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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