A permanent perception or consciousness of the presence of God in the soul, and His union with it. Taken in a wide sense it consists in a vision in which Christ tells the soul that He takes it for His bride; in a restricted sense, according to Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross it designates that mystical union with God which is the most exalted condition attainable by the soul in this life.
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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