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AUREOLA

The special reward in heaven for three classes of persons who struggled and won victories on earth in their service and won victories on earth in their service of God. The aureola is given to virgins for their victory over the flesh (Revelation 14:4); to martyrs for their victory over the world (Matthew 5:11-12); and to faithful teachers of the truth for their victory over the devil, the father of lies (Daniel 12:3; Matthew 5:19). The essential feature of the aureola is the distinctive enjoyment for having conquered the enemies of human salvation. (Etym. Latin aureola, corona, a golden wreath or halo; from aurum, gold.)

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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