Religious of either sex following the Rule of Saint Augustine, and vowed to perpetual chastity and the service of the sick and poor. Their most famous hospital during the Middle Ages was the Hótel-Dieu of Paris. Certain communities of women formed during the Middle Ages to aid the military orders in the care of the sick were also known as hospitallers.
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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