Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
CHIROGRAPHUS
A personal letter of the Pope, usually treating of an immediate event of grave concern. Several such letters were addressed to Cardinal Gasparri (1852-1934) by Pope Pius XI, e.g., on Holy Saturday, 1926, about Mexico; and on Corpus Christi, 1929, about Mussolini (1883-1945). (Etym. Greek cheirographein, to write with the hand.)
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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