Overview

The Rationale divinorum officiorum of French bishop William Durand of Mende (c. 1230-96) remains one of the most influential works on the medieval understanding of the worship ceremonies of the Latin Church.   Divided into eight lengthy books, Durand's treatise covers a broad range of topics associated with the liturgies of the medieval Church, from the symbolism of church art and architecture to the structure of the Church's calendar. Thibodeau's new translation offers a modern English rendering of portions of this classic work.  Book two, on the clergy and their ordination rites, has never been available in English translation.  Book three, on the vestments of the clergy, has not been translated into English in over a century.   A detailed historical introduction and copious notes accompany Thibodeau's translation.  Given the widespread revival of interest in liturgical history, this volume will be required reading for historians and theologians alike.

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9781589661912

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Anyone interested in liturgy and Church history will be eager to read Timothy M. Thibodeau s translation of William Durand s work, for he has rendered into readable English one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian worship. Robert Shaffern, author of The Penitents Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175 1375 --Robert Shaffern

Anyone interested in liturgy and Church history will be eager to read Timothy M. Thibodeau's translation of William Durand's work, for he has rendered into readable English one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian worship. --Robert Shaffern, author of The Penitents' Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175-1375 <br><br>--Robert Shaffern

Anyone interested in liturgy and Church history will be eager to read Timothy M. Thibodeau's translation of William Durand's work, for he has rendered into readable English one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian worship. --Robert Shaffern, author of The Penitents' Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175-1375 Anyone interested in liturgy and Church history will be eager to read Timothy M. Thibodeau s translation of William Durand s work, for he has rendered into readable English one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian worship. --Robert Shaffern, author of The Penitents Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175 1375 Anyone interested in liturgy and Church history will be eager to read Timothy M. Thibodeau's translation of William Durand's work, for he has rendered into readable English one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian worship. --Robert Shaffern, author of The Penitents' Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175-1375 --Robert Shaffern

Author Information

Timothy M. Thibodeau is professor of history at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. His translation of book one of Durand's Rationale divinorum officiorum was published in 2007 by Columbia University Press.

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