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VOTIVE OFFERING

Any object offered to God or in honor of a saint as an act of appreciation for some favor received, in petition for a favor asked for, and hence the name, in discharge of a vow (votum) or promise made. The votive offering may be a sum of money, or a shrine, or sacred vessel, or jewel, or sculpture or anything that reflects the sentiments of the donor as an act of sacrifice.

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

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