Explore the origins of Christian worship in the Latin rite, from early forms to the eighth century.
This study offers a careful historical look at how Latin liturgy developed, focusing on public rites and the assembly of the local church. It places the Roman ritual in context with Gallican and Eastern practices, helping readers understand the evolution of baptism, ordination, and other major ceremonies.
The author traces sources and manuscripts, explains how rites were structured, and clarifies what changes occurred over time. The volume emphasizes historical method and limits theological speculation, making it a reliable reference for students and readers new to liturgical history alike. It combines philology with ecclesiastical history to illuminate how early Christian worship took shape in concrete, collective acts.
- How baptism and catechumenate were conducted in the Roman usage, including practical steps and sequence.
- How liturgical books and sacramentaries record these rites, and what years and places reveal about regional variations.
- How the church’s public rites differ from private devotions and why certain ceremonies are treated as collective acts.
- How these practices relate to the daily life of early Christian communities and their bishops.
Ideal for readers of church history, liturgy, and medieval studies, this edition offers a focused, text-based exploration of early Christian rites and their development within the Latin Church.