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[German Version] (May 3, 1900, Homberg (Niederrhein) – Mar 10, 1987, Freiburg im Breisgau), began his studies in Catholic theology at the University of Münster in 1921 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1926. After studying with F.J. Dölger, he received his doctorate in 1927 with a dissertation on singing in the cults of pagan antiquity and early Christianity ( LQF 25, 1930; 21973). He gained his Habilitation in 1931 under Adolf Rücker and in 1938 was appointed professor of Early Church history, patrology, and Christian archaeology at the Catholic University …

[German Version] The term ordo was borrowed from Roman law and civil administration and acquired various ecclesial, liturgical meanings within Christianity. Already in Tertullian ( De exhortatione castitatis, 7) ordo refers to clergy, distinguishing them from laity ( plebs). In subsequent centuries ordo is used for denoting different categories of the ordained (e.g. ordo episcoporum). Later ordo is employed to designate various Christian rituals, ritual segments or ritual arrangements. The term thus appears through canon 4 of the Council of Braga (56…

[German Version] Since the 9th century (Amalarius of Metz, De Ordine Antiphonaril, ch. 43), Passiontide, narrowly defined, designates a period from the fifth Sunday in Lent to Holy Saturday (Fasting). Today in Protestant practice, Passiontide is synonymous with the 40-day period ( Quadragesima) which Catholics call the “penitential season” or “Lent.” In the Missal (1970) Passion Sunday is Palm Sunday. In Protestant liturgy the passion theme is dominant throughout Lent; historically, the character of Passiontide as preparation for Easter with fasti…

[German Version] is derived from the Greek word πεντηκοστή/ pentēkostḗ for “fiftieth” (meaning: the 50th day), and is employed in the Septuagint for the Jewish feast of Weeks (Shavu’ot; Feasts and festivals: II; III; Tob 2:1), 50 days after the feast of Unleavened Bread. Originally an agricultural celebration of grain harvest ending, it became the second of three Jewish pilgrim feasts (between Unleavened Bread and Booths). Eventually it was associated with the giving of the Law to Moses on Sinai. In the New Testament, Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit (Spirit/Holy Spirit…

[German Version] Of the innumerable Christian feasts celebrating the apostles Peter and Paul, central are: 1. The Conversion of St. Paul (Jan 25), a Gallican feast listed in Jerome’s martyrology (mid-5th cent.). There is no solid evidence why this feast is set on this date; some speculate it was an octave feast of the Chair of St. Peter, which certain Gallican churches celebrated on Jan 18. The feast is widely celebrated north of the Alps; it did not penetrate Rome until the 10th or 11th century. 2. The Chair of St. Peter (Feb 22, Jan 18): a Roman feast, noted in Depositio Martyrum (354) and fix…