Praefatio is, in the mass, the prayer which immediately precedes the canon, an exhortation to thankfulness, commencing with the words "Sursum corda." In the Gothic or Mozarabic liturgy the Praefatio is called Illatio; in the Gallican, Immolatio and Contestatio. It is also called Hymnus Angelicus. Originally there was but one praefatio for all days and feasts (Praefatio Communis); since the 12th century a number of prefationes, adapted to the variety of the feasts, the use of which is indicated by the Directory of the Church, have been introduced. Every praefatio ends with the triple "Sanctus," the introduction of which is attributed to Sixtus I. SEE MASS; PREFACES.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More