Sacred Time in Early Christian Ireland [Hardcover]

Francisca Rumsey uses two case studies from early Christian Ireland, the Nauigatio sancti Brendani abbatis and the Rules of the C?li 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 C?li 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 C?li D? is inaccurate. In fact, in the specific issue of liturgical prayer, their approach was innovative to the point of idiosyncrasy.

1. Introduction

2. Different Ways of Praying - Historical Background

3. Different Opinions - Past and Present

4. Different Interpretations of Time - The Methodology and the Myth

5. Different Visions of Sacred Time - Implications of Liturgical Prayer

6. 'Different Men' - The Monks of the Nauivatio and the C?li D?

7. Different Monastic Praxis -?The Liturgy of the Hours

8. Different Structures - The Liturgical Year

9. Different Liturgical Theologies

10. Different Paths ... to the Same Goal?

11. Conclusion: Different Mentalities - The Parting of the Liturgical Ways?

Appendix A: Brendan the Abbot Celebrates Easter: Scriptural and Liturgical Paschal Allusions in the Nauigatio

Appendix B: The Identification of the Birds in the Nauigatio