A ciência litúrgica como disciplina universitária: Manuel de Azevedo S.J. (1713-1796) e as primeiras cátedras de ciência litúrgica

Abstract

Liturgical Science, as a subject in university Theology courses, was only included in the Theology curriculum in the 19th century. This article is concerned with the process of creation and structuring of the first chairs in Liturgy, namely the Schola Sacrorum Rituum of the Roman College, the chair in Sacred Rites of the Pontifical Liturgical Academy at Coimbra. Both of these chairs were linked to the figure of the Jesuit Manuel de Azevedo. Indirectly, the chair in 'Liturgical Theology' of the University of Coimbra, created in 1772 by the Pombaline reform of the University, was also influenced by him. After Manuel de Azevedo, other chairs in Liturgy arose, but it is thanks to this Jesuit that the movement came about: he was the first to insist explicitly that Liturgical Science should have a place among theological disciplines and it was through his intervention that Liturgical Science became a university subject.