Definition

Noun: 1. An annual contribution made by Roman Catholics to support the papal see: A voluntary financial offering given by individual Catholics to the Holy See (the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church) for its charitable and administrative work worldwide. Historically, it was a tax or levy, but in modern times it is a free-will donation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Many parishioners include their Peter's Pence offering with their weekly donation.
  • The annual collection for Peter's Pence supports the Pope's ministries to those in need.
  • Historically, Peter's Pence was a tax collected from certain kingdoms for the support of the papacy.

Advanced Usage

• "The Peter's Pence collection": The specific, often annual, fundraising effort to gather these contributions.
  • The diocese announced the date for this year's Peter's Pence collection.

Variants and Related Words

• Alms: Money or goods given to the poor (a broader, more general term for charitable giving).
• Tithe: A tenth part of something, historically paid as a tax or contribution to a religious organization.
• Offertory: The part of a church service where offerings are collected; the offerings themselves.

Synonyms

• Papal offering
• Contribution to the Holy See

Related Idioms

• To give one's mite: To give a small but generous and sacrificial offering (alluding to the Biblical story of the widow's mite, Mark 12:41-44). This concept is often spiritually associated with the intention behind giving Peter's Pence.
  • Even the poorest families sought to give their mite during the Peter's Pence collection.

Noun

1. an annual contribution made by Roman Catholics to support the papal see