William Durand, on the Clergy and Their Vestments ─ A New Translation of Books 2 and 3 of the Rationale Divinorum Officiorum

William Durand (1230-1296) wrote his Rationale divinorum officiorum while he was bishop of Mende, France. It became one of the most influential works of Medieval Christianity. His substantive and comprehensive explication of rituals, symbolism, architecture, and the roles of the different religious participants, remains to this day one of the most important works ever written on medieval worship. Timothy Thibodeau's clear and careful translation is superlative. Likewise, Thibodeau's introductory essay is an excellent elucidation of medieval liturgical exposition. Medievalists, Church historians, and theologians will want this volume for their libraries. With the widespread revival of interest in liturgical reform and liturgical history among Catholic scholars in many fields, Thibodeau's translation will be a welcome resource.

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

Timothy M. Thibodeau is professor of history at Nazareth College, Rochester, NY