Albert the Great’s Critique of Lothar of Segni (Innocent III) In the De Sacrificio Missae
David F. Wright
ALBERT THE GREAT'S CRITIQUE OF LOTHAR SEGNI (INNOCENT III) IN DE SACRIFICIO MISSAE These and other [interpretations] of this kind we consider to be the absurdities unlettered men who profess doctors by reasons their ex;cesses nonsense, make theology detestable doctrines. De sacrificio missae III.IO: 118b 1 WITH THESE WORDS Albert Great hurls his strongest attack against those medieval authors employed rememorative allegory in explanations Mass. Expressions Albert's frustrations with method these punctuate sober commentary explanation Mass, missae, but usually without such vehemence.2 Who were ' homines illitterati that provoked write harsh words a work is otherwise quite free emotion? It purpose article show one writer special ire was Lothar Segni, Cardinal Deacon later become Pope Innocent III, Lothar's missarum mysteriis,3 primary target for attack. The text used found vol. 88 edition Auguste Borgnet, B. Alberti Magni Opera Omnia, quarto vols. (Paris: Vives, 1890-99). References are made following manner: 118b, i.e., tractatus caput 10, page 118, column b. • For example: I.2: 16ab; Il.2: 42b-48a; UI.2: sob; III.28: 168a. •The most available Migne: PL 217: 774-916, where it appears under incorrect title sacra altaris 'ffll!JSterio. However, I have my own expositio missae: David F. Wright, 0.P., "A Medieval Commentary on Mass: Particulae 2-8 5-6 mysteriis (ca. 1195) Segni (Pope " (Ph.D. dissertation, University Notre Dame, 1977), pp. 91-276. 584 ALBERT'S 585 genre literature originates Carolingian reform late eighth early ninth centuries. As part broader program raise maintain certain level competence understanding priestly ministry, expositiones provided clergy useful sought explain comment upon prayers ceremonial thereby revealing meaning which each contained. Not all would agree definition literature,4 practical purposes may considered explains comments what said and/or done at Several developments Church life had served create setting expositi-0 flourished: (1) century Latin language Mass clerical preserve and, as Jungmann notes, created new disciplina arcani conceal holy things, not from pagans, faithful; 6 (2) Church's reaction Arianism fostered view Christ accentuated divinity expense humanity now required group people could mediate between him people, namely, clergy; (3) concept Eucharist act an entire Christian community given way bona gratia, great gift God coming down mankind . Such coupled fact increasing separation role faithful field ripe allegorization. DMM ID.U.490, Particula ID, 12, line 490. convenience placed reference parentheses text. In Expositio DACL 5.1: 1014 Dom Andre Wilmart restricts term kinds works of...
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