Profane (T_:n. chanaph, Jer. xxiii. 11; fikfitjXoc, Heb. xii. 16 I. To profane is to put holy things to vile or common uses; as the money-changers did the Tem- ple, by converting a part of it into a place of business (Matt, xxi, 12), and as those do who allow secular oc- cupations to engross any part of the Sabbath under the old, or of the Lord's day under the new dispensation (Exod. xx, 8-10). Esau, for despising his birthright and its privileges, is styled by the apostle "a profane person" (Heb. xii, 10). The term is also used in oppo- sition to holy. Thus the general history of ancient na- tions is styled profane, as distinguished from that con- tained in the Bible; profane writings are such as have been composed by heathens, in contradistinction from the sacred books of Scripture, and the writings of Chris- tian authors on sacred subjects.
Professio Fidei 1i:h>i:min.f. is the form of the Roman Catholic profession of faith in which it took shape at the Council of Trent and in which it was after- wards published by pope I'ius IV, so that it is some- times called the Creed of Pius IV (q. v.). The gen- eral Christian confession of faith had been renewed in the third session of the Council of Trenl on Feb. 3, loir, [deeretum de symbolo fidei), but there was need of something for general use in the Church at large, so that all its members might become obligated to the Church and its teachings, not only for their own faithfulness, but for their arrayal against heretics. Hence Pius 1 V in 1556 ordered to be prepared a Formula Christiana it Catholica Fidei, and on Sept 4, 1560, presented it for consideration to the cardinal college. In 1564 it was finally promulgated, and persons on becoming members of the ( 'burch of Home are expected to recite the creed. This profession of faith runs as follows:
"I most steadfastly admit and embrace apostolical and ecclesiastical traditions, and all other observances and ins of the same Church.
" i Jso admit the holy Scriptures, according to that sense which our holy mother the Church has held and doe- hold, to which it belongs to judge ofthe true sense and interpretation of the Bcriptnres: neither will I ever take and Interpret them otherwise than according to the uunnimone consent of the fathers.
■•I also profess thai there are truly and properly seven sacrament- ofthe aew law, instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and necessary for tbe salvation of mankind, though not all for every one— to wit : baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance,* extreme unction, holy orders, t and
matrimony: and that they confer grace: and that of these, baptism, confirmation, and order cannot be reiterated without sacrilege. I also receive and admit the received and approved ceremonies ofthe Catholic Church, used in the solemn administration ofthe aforesaid sacraments.
"I embrace and receive all and every one ofthe tilings which have been defined and declared in the holy Council of Trent concerning original sin and justification.
'■ I profess, hkeu i-e. ii,;,i iM the mass there is offered to Cod a tiiK , proper, and propitiatory sacrifice for the liv- ing and the dead; and that in the most holy sacrament
ofthe Kncharist there is truly, really, and substantially
the body and blood, together with the bou) and divin- ity of our Lord Jesus ( arist; and that there i- made a r the whole substance of the bread into the body,
and of the whole substance ofthe wine into the blood, which change the Catholic Church calls transubst ■ 1 also coufeas thai uuder either kind alone Christ is re- ceived "hole and entile, and a true sacrament.
••I (irmly bold that there i- a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages ofthe faithful.
"Likewise, that the saints reigning with Christ are to be honored and invocated, and that they offer up prayers to God for us; and that their relics are to he had in veu- eration.
"1 most firmly assert thai the images of Christ, of the mother of God, and also of other saints, ought to be had and retained, and that due honor and veneration are to be given them.
'• I also affirm that the power of indulgences was left by Christ in the Church, and that the use of thein is inos't wholesome to Christiau peop e.
"I acknowledge the holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church for the mother and mi-tress of all churches; and I promise true obedience to the bishop of Home, succes- sor to st. Peter, prince of the apostle.-, and vicar of Jesus Christ."
Then follow clauses condemnatory of all contrary doc- trines, ami expressive of adhesion to all the definitions
j ofthe Council of Trent
I It is obvious that the Confessio Fidei Tiidentma was framed in accordance to the decrees o( that council, and has chiefly in view the opinions of those who followed the Reformation. See Mohler, Symbolict .- Kollner, hie Symbolik <li i romischt n Kit chi , p. 1 1 1 sip : Schaff, Cret ds of Christendom (see Index in vol. iii); Fisher, Hist, of tin Reforniation, p. 402. (.1. H.W'.i
Profession. Anion- the ceremonies of baptism in the early Church, one of great importance was the pro- fessionof faith and vow of obedience. The catechumens lirst renounced the devil, and then professed to live in obedience to the laws of Christ See Pactum.