Charles François d'Abra de Raconis
Physical Effects of Abstinence
Acacius, Patriarch of Constantinople
Diocese of Ascoli, Satriano, and Cirignola
Acclamation (in Papal Elections)
The Ass (in Caricature of Christian Beliefs and Practices)
Assemblies of the French Clergy
Assistant at the Pontifical Throne
Right of Voluntary Association
Association of Priestly Perseverance
Little Sisters of the Assumption
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Vicariate Apostolic of Athabasca
François Hédelin, Abbé d'Aubignac
Teaching of St. Augustine of Hippo
Works of St. Augustine of Hippo
Augustinians of the Assumption
Pierre du Bois, Baron d'Avaugour
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron Acton
Ad Apostolicae Dignitatis Apicem
Adam in Early Christian Liturgy and Literature
Administrator (of Ecclesiastical Property)
Advocates of Roman Congregations
Charles Constance César Joseph Matthieu d'Agoult
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa of Nettesheim
Michael and Nicetas Akominatos
Bl. Albert Berdini of Sarteano
Diocese of Alessandria della Paglia
Alpha and Omega (in Jewish Theology)
History of the Christian Altar
Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva
Ambo (in the Russian and Greek Church)
Pre-Columbian Discovery of America
American Protective Association
Heinrich Bernhard, Freiherr von Andlaw
Bl. Angelo Carletti di Chivasso
Early Christian Representations of Angels
College and Church of the Anima (in Rome)
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Anselm of Lucca, the Younger
Antiphon (in the Greek Church)
Vicariate Apostolic of Antofogaste
Fray Domingo de la Anunciación
Apostolic Union of Secular Priests
Diocese of Aquino, Sora, and Pontecorvo
Prefecture Apostolic of Araucania
Commission of Sacred Archæology
A French word meaning primarily and strictly an abbot or superior of a monastery of men. It came eventually to be applied, in France, to every man who wears the dress of a secular ecclesiastic (Littré). This extension of meaning dates from the time of Francis I (1515-47), who, by consent of the Holy See, named secular clerics Abbots in commendam (See ABBOT, under III, Kinds of Abbot). During the following centuries the name was applied to clerics, often not in sacred Orders, engaged as professors or tutors, or in some similar capacity in the houses of the nobility.
JOHN J. A'BECKET