Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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POMP
Any splendor or magnificent display. It carries the notion of ostentation, as a pompous person is one who considers himself important and pretends to be more than he or she has a claim to. The expression "pomps of the devil" refers to the temptation in the desert when the evil spirit promised the Savior all the riches of this world if only Christ would worship the devil. In the rite of baptism, the catechumen is asked, "Do you renounce Satan and all his works and empty promises?" Formerly "empty Promises" were called "pomps." They are literally "seductions" (seductiones).
