Allegorical Interpretation of Canon Missae by Rupert from Deutz, O.S.B

Abstract

At the heart of the celebration of the Eucharist is the Eucharistic Prayer, during which the mystery of Christ is made present. In the Latin liturgy of the Western Church, for centuries the priest has always said the same Eucharistic Prayer at the Holy Mass—the Roman Canon. This oldest liturgical text was built symmetrically around the words of the institution that Jesus spoke over bread and wine. The structure of the Canon itself was shaped for several centuries, but the proper arrangement was known already in the 7^th/8^th century. The Canon of the Mass has been for centuries the basis for theological interpretation of individual texts, gestures and signs. Especially since the Middle Ages, they were explained on the basis of their allegorical interpretation. This form of interpretation of the Mass it was known since the 8^th century and consisted in a moralizing, typological, rememorative, eschatic and anagogical showing all liturgical rites. The Treaty Liber de divinis officiis by Rupert from Deutz is one of the most important texts dedicated to liturgy in the Middle Ages. Rupert Deutz explained the celebrations of the Mass in the second book of his work. In the first place, he points to the Passion interpretation of the Canon from the moment Jesus entered Jerusalem to put His body in the grave. The Passion is also emphasized by the signs of the cross, drawn by the priest at the time of the Canon—they are to symbolize the wounds of Christ. The allegorical interpretation of the Mass Canon, made by Rupert from Deutz, is part of the theological tradition of the Middle Ages. Although he did not discuss all of the texts in the Canon, he did interpret his essential parts.