Callewaert combo set >

A well-regarded liturgist and historian in his time, the erudite Flemish author, Camelius Aloysius Callewaert, was born in 1866 and passed away in 1943 at Bruges, Belgium.

He was a frequently-cited liturgical authority during the 20th century and over the years he held many positions within the Belgium diocese of Bruges. At the Grand Seminary, he served many years as a director, professor of ecclesiastical history, presiding professor of liturgy, and even as its president. Earlier at the University of Louvain (Leuven), he helped to establish studies for ecclesiastical history, another field in which he excelled. Years later he would serve there as the master of liturgy conferences.

Author of many articles, Fr. Callewaert was a frequent contributor to the Vatican-published journal, Ephemerides Liturgicae (i.e., Liturgical Matters). Even before earning his doctorate in Canon Law, in 1905 he was appointed an honorary canon of the Bruges' cathedral chapter. In 1937 he was made the chapter's archpriest and simultaneously created a domestic prelate by the Holy See. He was eventually raised to the highest rank of monsignor, protonotary apostolic.

Msgr. Callewaert's principle works were the three-volume Liturgicae Institutiones [Foundations of the Liturgy] studies and the related Caeremoniale rubrical manual. Combined, these works are primarily a study of the causes, principles, historical development and practices of the various aspects of the Roman Liturgy.

More importantly in this day and age though, as an erudite and concise repository of romanitas, these studies also serve as an important tool for restoring Western thought of which its most noble elements are enshrined and practiced through the sacred liturgy.

Book reviews

Though these reviews were written for particular books authored by Callewaert, they show as a whole the studious caliber of all four of his books offered by Romanitas Press.

De Sacra Liturgia Universim
(The American Ecclesiastical Review, volume 62, 1920):

The present volume is the introductory one to a series comprising the liturgical interpretation of the Breviary, Missal, Ritual, and the ecclesiastical cycle under the title Annus ecclesiasticus. The author treats his subject of the Liturgy in general not merely as a Prolegomena but as a distinct branch of the Institutiones Liturgicae. Accordingly he distinguishes cult or worship from the liturgical expression of the same, as set forth in the history of the Church. The first part enters upon the analysis of the subject in its broad aspects, considering the end and purpose of the liturgical service, the principal and secondary ministry, the fruits, from the doctrinal, moral, and ascetical points of view. The historical aspect begins with the apostolic tradition and follows up the successive practice and legislation through the periods of Oriental, Gallican, Roman, and various local usages, down to the reforms of Trent and the evolution of the seventeenth to the twentieth century.

The latter half of the volume is devoted to an inquiry into the sources of liturgical legislation, the early collections and the interpreting bodies such as the Sacred Congregations. A special article is devoted to the study of the texts, the preferences and corrections represented by the literary monuments and typical editions of the Roman liturgy. The final chapter, "De Liturgica Scientia ejusque Methodo", is intended to guide the student in the systematic inquiry as to the manner of exposition. There is a chapter on customs, also a good analytical index. The author has in press a practical guide on the Mass, under the title Caeremoniale in celebrandis Missis tam privatis quam solemnibus, in Vesperis et Laudibus SS. Sacramenti servandum.

Caeremoniale in Missa, Privata et Solemni
(The Book of Ceremonies, Very Rev. L. O'Connell, Bruce, 1956):

This [book] is perhaps the clearest description of all ordinary ceremonies and is written by an outstanding authority. It is complemented by another book of the author, De Missalis Romani Liturgia. Together these two books give a comprehensive treatment of rubrics and ceremonies. Callewaert is unusual for his depth of treatment. He gives the meaning and reason behind ceremonies whenever useful and always lists carefully his sources. His book is written in Latin and, unfortunately, is not published in this country. We recommend it without reservation.

De Breviarii Romani Liturgica
(contemporary book review)

A remarkable and rare Latin book has lately been reprinted that will be of great interest to anyone who has a fascination with the mystery of Catholic liturgy... read more >