Propaganda

Propaganda (Lat. De Propaganda Fide), the name of a Congregation (q.v.), and also of a College, in Rome, the object of which is to direct and forward the propagation of the Catholic religion, especially among the heathen, although Christian dissenters from the Roman Church are also included in the sphere of its operations. The institution was originated by Pope Gregory XIII. (1572-84); but it was fully organised by Gregory XV., who in 1622 established a special Congregation for the purpose. This his successor, Urban VIII., extended and endowed, annexing a college for the education of missionaries to the several countries. One great feature of that college has been to provide for such work natives of the several countries, who are conveyed to Rome at an early age for the purpose of being specially educated in all the necessary learning of a missionary. This Congregation conducts the affairs not only of the missionary countries properly so called, but also of those in which the hierarchical organisation is not full and formal. The College of the Propaganda is a noble institution, with some 200 pupils of all countries, tongues, and complexions, who are not only maintained and educated gratuitously from a very early age, but are equipped and sent forward to their several destinations at the charge of the institution. It possesses a valuable library (30,000 vols.) and museum, and a polyglot printing-press. Its great festival is the Epiphany of our Lord—His 'manifestation to the Gentiles'; and this feast is celebrated by an exhibition of exceeding interest and curiosity, at which are delivered recitations in every language represented in the College or its missions, amounting often to fifty or sixty. Of this festival Cardinal Mezzofanti (q.v.) used to be the guiding spirit.