The history of liturgy and liturgical books is of interest not only for theologians and liturgists but also for historians, art historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, and researchers in religious sciences. This work meets the interdisciplinary need for a history and a typology of liturgical books.
A History of Liturgical Books from the Beginning to the Thirteenth Century is an introduction to Western liturgical sources and a synthesis of their history for more than a millennium. It provides a historiographic summary, examines the relationship between medieval history and liturgy, suggests new methods of research, and underscores the fruitfulness of an interdisciplinary approach.
Focusing on the history of liturgical books, rather than the history of liturgy, A History of Liturgical Books from the Beginning to the Thirteenth Century devotes a detailed chapter to each type of book intended for a specific celebration - Mass, Office, rites - and a specific presider - pope, bishop, deacon, monastic, etc. The crucial transition from oral practice to the use of the written document is discussed in every case, as is the illustration of liturgical books.
Chapters are "History of the Research on Liturgical Books," "The Books of the Mass," "The Office Books," and "The Books of Sacraments and Rites."
Eric Palazzo, Ph.D., is head of research at Institut de Recherche et d'Histoire des Textes and a lecturer at the Institut superieur de Liturgie of the Institut catholique of Paris, in charge of the introductory course in liturgical sources.