The Rationale Divinorum Officiorum of William Durand of Mende: A New Translation of the Prologue and Book One (Records of Western Civilization Series) by Timothy Thibodeau

ISBN: 9780231141802

Columbia University Press | 28 November 2007

Hardcover | 168 pages

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 is ranked with the Bible as one of the most frequently copied and disseminated texts in all of medieval Christianity. It served as an encyclopedic compendium and textbook for liturgists and remains an indispensable guide for understanding the significance of medieval ecclesiastical art and worship ceremonies. 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. He compares previous translations and presents a new translation of the prologue and book one, which discuss the principles of allegorical interpretation of the liturgy and provide detailed descriptions of church architecture, ornaments, consecration rites, and the sacraments.