(Latin: feria, holiday)
Fairs owe their origin to religious festivals, on which the people assembled for purposes of devotion. Such occasions as the patronal feasts or the dedication of a Church were utilized for mercantile enterprise and were advantageous both to the merchants and the Church. Fairs were common in England, France, and Germany in medieval times and many modern market gatherings owe their origin to them.
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
Read More