Sacred Time in Early Christian Ireland

(Hardback)

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Francisca Rumsey uses two case studies from early Christian Ireland, the Nauigatio sancti Brendani abbatis and the Rules of the Cli D to demonstrate two different ways of understanding sacred time. One sees time as part of a good and holy creation, and therefore intrinsically good in itself; the other sees time as part of a fallen world needing redemption, and therefore in need of sanctification. The Cli D are often presented as part of a reform movement in early Irish monasticism. This question of monastic 'reform' is explored in detail to show that the received position regarding the Cli D is inaccurate. In fact, in the specific issue of liturgical prayer, their approach was innovative to the point of idiosyncrasy.

Reviews

"Refreshingly lucid and meticulously researched, Patricia Rumsey's book will doubtless serve as an exemplar for future studies in a field whose appeal has all too often been limited to the recipients of specialized training. More than a liturgical history, it considers the theological significance of time in early Christian worship generally and in pre-viking Ireland specifically and offers a needed corrective to some long-held misapprehensions of early Irish monasticism. It may be read with pleasure and profit by any student or scholar of early medieval religious life. Recommended." Westley Follett, University of Georgia, Author of Cli D in Ireland: Monastic Writing and Identity in the Early Middle Ages -- Westley Follett, University of Georgia, USA.
"Dr. Rumsey is a scholar with especial insight into monastic understanding of liturgy and Scripture. She is able to see in these early medieval Irish sources, rather than simply evidence of difference, attempts to resolve common theological questions concerning time and history. This volume is a rare and important contribution to early Irish scholarship." Jonathan M. Wooding, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion in Celtic Societies, Lampeter -- Jonathan M. Wooding, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion in Celtic Societies, Lampeter, UK.
"This is a work of great erudition and widely-ranging interests." Theologische Literaturzeitung, 2008 -- Gerald Bonner, Durham
"A very welcome contribution to our understanding of the world of the early medieval Irish monks." Temonos Vol 45 No. 1. -- Katja Ritari, University of Helsinki, Finland

Author Bio

Patricia Rumsey is a Poor Clare nun with an MA and a PhD in Theology from the University of Wales, Lampeter, UK. She has written and published on liturgy and early Irish monasticism and has lectured in England, Ireland and Scandinavia.