The Rationale Divinorum Officiorum Of William Durand Of Mende

The Rationale Divinorum Officiorum is arguably the most important medieval treatise on the symbolism of church architecture and rituals of worship. Written by the French bishop William Durand of Mende (1230-1296), the treatise ranks with the Bible as one of the most frequently copied and disseminated texts in all of medieval Christianity.This book marks the first English translation of the prologue and book one of the Rationale in almost two centuries. Timothy M. Thibodeau begins with a brief biography of William Durand and a discussion of the importance of the work during its time. Thibodeau compares previous translations of the Rationale in the medieval period and afterward. Then he presents his translation of the prologue and book one. The prologue discusses the principles of allegorical interpretation of the liturgy, while book one features detailed descriptions of the various parts of the church and its ecclesiastical ornaments. It also features extensive commentary on cemeteries, various rites of consecration and dedication, and a discussion of the sacraments.

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, professor of history, University of Scranton, author of the Penitents' Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175-1375 --Book Jacket.

Providing the meanings that were originally associated with the art, architecture, rites, and vestments of the Church, this account transforms the worship experience by teaching what certain elements are used and why they are used. Claiming architects should be filled with the spirit of faith and knowledge of the meanings of all structural details and designs of the church, the author illuminates the meanings of the physical elements like the nave, the altar, the cross, and bells. He also clarifies the mystical significance of the chancel site, the glazed windows and pillars, the bell and its clapper, the altar cloths, and how the steps leading up to the altar refer both to Jacob's Ladder and to the degrees in worshippers' hearts.

William Durand (c. 1230-Nov. 1, 1296), Bishop of Mende, France, was unquestionably the most renowned liturgical scholar of the later Middle Ages. His encyclopedic allegorical exposition of the rites and worship services of the Latin Church, the Rationale divinorum officiorum, or Rationale for the divine offices, is the best known medieval work in its genre. Divided into eight books of varying length, the Rationale is exhaustive in its treatment of a wide variety of subjects: the church building and liturgical art; the ministers of the church and their functions; liturgical vestments; the Mass and the Divine Office; the Church's calendar and its feast days.Modern scholarship has clearly shown that Durand's Rationale superseded all previous liturgical commentaries within only a few years of its publication (c. 1292-1296). By the end of the fifteenth century, it had become one of the most widely disseminated treatises of its kind in western Europe.Book 4, Durand's lengthy and detailed commentary on the Mass, has never been translated into English. The present volume makes this important text available for modern students of liturgy, musicology, theology, and art history for whom the original Latin text is not accessible. The present translation also provides extensive annotation and explanation of Durand's sometimes cryptic etymologies, while bringing to light important source material embedded within his commentary. The source text of this volume appeared in Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaeualis as Guillelmus Durantus - Rationale divinorum officiorum IV (CCCM 140). References to the corresponding pages of the Corpus Christianorum edition are provided in the margins of this translation.