Heortology

The book traces the origin and development of the cycle of Christian public festivals, treating their liturgical formation and historical evolution. It concentrates on Roman Catholic worship, examining how authoritative action, popular usage, and documentary sources shaped feast-days. The author surveys medieval and later materials—liturgical treatises, lectionaries, and martyrologies—and organizes their findings into a coherent account. Individual sections address church dedications, patronal feasts, doctrine-related observances such as the Immaculate Conception, and the commemoration of particular saints, with appended source material. Aimed at theological students and clergy, it provides concise historical background for sermons and instruction while avoiding uncritical credulity or scepticism.