A sense of the sacred : Roman Catholic worship in the middle ages

This incomparable volume presents a comprehensive exploration and explanation of medieval liturgical celebrations. The reverent prayers, hymns and rubrics used in the Middle Ages are described in detail and interpreted through the commentary of scholars from the same time period, the era which is also known as the "Age of Faith". Collected here is a wide range of ceremonies, encompassing the seven sacraments, the major feasts of the liturgical year (such as Christmas, Easter, and Corpus Christi), and special liturgical rites (from the coronation of the pope to the blessing of expectant mothers). The sacred celebrations have been drawn from countries across western and central Europe-from Portugal to Poland-but particular attention has been given to liturgical texts of medieval Spain, which until now have received relatively little attention from scholars. Historian James Monti has done exhaustive research on medieval liturgical manuscripts, early printed missals, and the writings of medieval liturgists and theologians so that the treasures they contain can inspire a sense of the sacred in future generations of Catholics. The Medieval Liturgy : An Overview -- Pt. 1. The Sacraments. The Mass -- Baptism -- Confirmation -- The Sacrament Of Penance -- Holy Orders -- Matrimony -- Extreme Unction (anointing Of The Sick) -- Pt. 2. Sacred Time : The Liturgical Year. Christmas -- The Feast Of The Purification Of The Blessed Virgin Mary, February 2 -- Ash Wednesday And Laetare Sunday -- Palm Sunday And Wednesday Of Holy Week -- Holy Thursday -- Good Friday -- Easter -- The Corpus Christi Procession -- Processions Of The Assumption (august 15) And All Souls' Day (november 2) -- Pt. 3. Other Rites Of The Church. The Election, Installation, And Coronation Of A Pope -- The Canonization Of Saints -- The Rite Of Consecration Of Virgins -- Funeral Rites -- Blessings -- Conclusions. James Monti. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 653-676) And Index. The medieval liturgy: an overview The sacraments. The Mass Baptism Confirmation The sacrament of penance Holy orders Matrimony Extreme unction (anointing of the sick) Sacred time: the liturgical year. Christmas The feast of the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, February 2 (the presentation of the Lord) Ash Wednesday and Laetare Sunday Palm Sunday and Wednesday of Holy Week Holy Thursday Good Friday Easter The Corpus Christi procession Processions of the Assumption (August 15) and All Souls' Day (November 2) Other rites of the church. The election, installation, and coronation of a pope The canonization of saints The rite of consecration of virgins Funeral rites Blessings Conclusions.