Pretended art of producing marvelous physical phenomena through the intervention of spiritual beings and of influencing the course of nature by bringing into operation some occult controlling principle. Magic which made use of the invocation of evil spirits was always regarded as sinful, but natural magic, i.e.,that which did not involve the aid of personal spirits, was regarded in the Middle Ages as a legitimate department of study. Books dealing with magic were forbidden by a Bull of Pope Leo XIII, 1897.
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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