Course Description

Applying a knowledge of the symbolic significance of liturgical rites and other Offices can be of great benefit in leading us from the seen to the unseen. At last, after seven hundred years, the complete RATIONALE DIVINORUM OFFICIORUM, (Rationale for the Divine Offices), of Guilluame Durandus is available in English. This course provides an introduction to this highly esteemed work, suggests how the study of it can be approached, and indicates how what is learned from it can enrich the liturgical worship experience.

The Rationale presents the symbolic significance of the Offices of the ecclesiastical Tradition in great detail and demonstrates the extensive degree of their biblical foundation. The Offices are designed to both nourish and nurture spiritual development and the Rationale proves and excellent guide and companion to enhancing worship to this end. Although of historical importance, the spiritual insights of this amazing work provides are as valuable today as they were when they were first written. 

Janet Gentles

Course curriculum

  • 1

    WELCOME TO ENGAGING WITH THE RATIONALE

    • 1. WELCOME
  • 2

    ABOUT DURANDUS AND THE RATIONALE DIVINORUM OFFICIORUM

  • 3

    READING THE RATIONALE

    • 4. HOW TO APPROACH THE RATIONALE

    • 5. THE LANGUAGE OF SPIRITUALITY

    • 6. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

    • 7. THE FRAMEWORK

    • 8. THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE JEWS

    • 9. FOUR LEVELS OF INTERPRETATION

    • TABLES TO DOWNLOAD

    • 10. THE FOUR SEASONS

    • 11. THE CHURCH YEAR

    • Quiz 2

    • Quiz 1
  • 4

    SPIRITUAL EXERCISES FROM THE RATIONALE

    • 12. BUILDING A CHURCH

    • 13. ENGAGING AT CHURCH

    • 14. REFLECTIONS REGARDING THE RATIONALE
  • 5

    BONUS

    • WHY ARE SACRED VESSELS MADE OF PRECIOUS METALS?

    • WHAT DOES QUINQUAGESIMA DESIGNATE?

    • WHAT IS THE SHADOW OF DEATH?

    • WHY DO WE CELEBRATE THE FEASTS OF THE SAINTS?

    • WHAT DO THE CONCRETE, LIME AND STONES REPRESENT?

    • WHY ARE WOMEN VEILED WHILE BEING MARRIED?

    • WHY DOES ORDINATION TAKE PLACE AT THE FOUR SEASONS OF THE YEAR?

    • WHY MUST THE SIGN OF THE CROSS BE MADE WITH THREE FINGERS

    • WHAT DOES THE AGNUS DEI SIGNIFY AND WHY IS IT SAID THREE TIMES?

    • WHAT DOES THE CORPORAL SYMBOLIZE?