xtremes. The term is used to describe the Anglican or Episcopal
Church as avoiding Romanism on the one hand, and Protestantism on
the other.

Viaticum.--A term used to describe the Holy Communion administered
to a dying person. A Canon of the Nicene Council (A.D. 325)
provided that no one should "be deprived of his perfect and most
necessary _viaticum_ when he departs out of this life." The word
means "a provision made for a journey."

Vicar.--A term introduced from the English Church and applied to
one who has charge of a chapel connected with a Parish, as his sole
charge. For example, the term has been applied to certain clergy of
Trinity Church, New York, who have charge of chapels which possess
the dignity of parishes, but the support of which is derived mainly
from the Parish Corporation. In the English Church, the Rector, or
chapter, or religious house or even a layman, has the whole right
to the income of the Parish but the Vicar only to a certain portion
of it as the Pastor of the Flock. The origin and meaning of
this title as used in the Church of England are thus given in
Blackstone's Commentaries, "These appropriating corporations, or
religious houses, were wont to depute one of their body to perform
divine service in those parishes of which the society was the Parson.
This officiating minister was in reality no more than a curate,
deputy or vicegerent of the appropriator, and therefore called
_vicarius_ or _vicar_."

Vigils.--Vigils are the _Evens_ before certain Feasts. In the
ancient use of the Church, Festivals were {271} commonly ushered in
by the attendance of preceding vigils, or watchings all the night as
a preparation for the solemnities of the following day, and were
observed with fasting and prayer.

Vincent, Rule of Saint.--St. Vincent of Lerins who died A.D. 304
has always been revered in the Church and is known as the author of
the saying, "Quod semper, quod ubique, quod ab omnibus, creditum
est," meaning what has been done or believed _always_, _everywhere_
and _by all_ is to be accepted. The principle involved in these
words is the test of orthodoxy and the sanction for the Church's
usages. St. Vincent's rule, therefore, still holds good, for nothing
can be of the Faith, as necessary to be believed unless it can
satisfy the tests of antiquity, universality and general consent.
(See TRADITIONS; also UNDIVIDED CHURCH.)

Virgin Mary.--(See BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.)

Virtues, The Cardinal.--T