Bible Encyclopedias
Oblates (2)

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

was also the name of those children who were dedicated from infancy to the cloister (the parents wrapped their boy's hand in altar-cloth, with a petition), and of the dying who assumed the cowl. In 1191 Celestine III freed children from such vows. See the art. .Converssi in Wetzer u. Welte, Kirchen-Lexikon; Ranke, Hist. of the Papacy, 1:270; Alzogi Kirchengesch. 2:422; Barnum, Romanism, p. 437.