Congregation

Congregation (Lat. con, 'together'; grex, 'a flock'), an assembly, generally a religious assembly; in its most ordinary use, an assembly of Christians met in one place for worship (see CHURCH).—In the Roman Catholic Church, it often designates a sort of board of cardinals, prelates, and divines, to which is intrusted the management of some important branch of the affairs of the church. Thus the Congregation of the Index examines books and decides on their fitness for general perusal (see INDEX). The Congregation de Propaganda Fide is instituted for the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith and the government of the church in non-Catholic countries (see PROPAGANDA). The Congregation of Relics inquires into the genuineness of supposed relics. The Congregation of the Holy Office takes cognisance of heresies, &c. (see INQUISITION). The Congregation of Rites regulates the festivals and offices of new saints. There are numerous other congregations. The word is also used in the Church of Rome to describe communities of ecclesiastics who live together under rule, but without being bound by vow, or at least by solemn vow. Such are the Congregation of the Oratory, the Congregation of the most Holy Redeemer, usually called Redemptorists, &c.

Congregationalists. See INDEPENDENTS.