Postil

Cycle of Christian homilies

A postil or postill (Latin: postilla; German: Postille) was originally a term for Bible commentaries. It is derived from the Latin post illa verba textus ("after these words from Scripture"),[1] referring to biblical readings. The word first occurs in the chronicle (with reference to examples of 1228 and 1238) of Nicolas Trivetus, but later it came to mean only homiletic exposition, and thus became synonymous with the homily in distinction from the thematic sermon. Finally, after the middle of the fourteenth century, it was applied to an annual cycle of homilies.[2]

## Early Lutheran postils

[edit]

From the time of Martin Luther, who published the first part of his postil under the title Enarrationes epistolarum et evangeliorum quas postillas vocant (Wittenberg, 1521), every annual cycle of sermons on the lessons, whether consisting of homilies or formal sermons, is termed a postil. A few of the most famous Lutheran postils are those of M. Luther (Kirchenpostille, Wittenberg, 1527; Hauspostille, 1542, 1549), P. Melanchthon (Evangelien-Postille, Germ., Nuremberg, 1549; Lat., Hanover, 1594), M. Chemnitz (Evangelien-Postille, Magdeburg, 1594), L. Osiander (Bauern-Postille, Tübingen, 1597), and J. Arndt (Evangelien-Postille, Leipzig, 1616).[2]

## Catholic postils

[edit]

By 1530 postils were commonly used in Catholic preaching, at least in Germany.[3] The two (in Latin) by Thomas Stapleton proved popular.[4] Frymire has tabulated the development from 1520 (Catholic and Lutheran).[5]

## Later postils

[edit]

The term postil fell into disuse during the period of Pietism and the Enlightenment, but was revived by Claus Harms (Winter-Postille, Kiel, 1812; Sommer-Postille, 1815). It has again become common through W. Löhe (Evangelien-Postille, Frommel 1848; Epistel-Postille, 1858), and M. Stuttgart (Herzpostille, Bremen, 1882, 1890; Hauspostille, 1887–88; Pilgerpostille, 1890).[2]

Reformed Churches, which disregard a regular series of lessons, have no postils; in the Roman Catholic Church the term has been kept, especially through Leonard Goffiné (Hand-Postill oder christ-catholische Unterrichtungen von allen Sonn- and Feyr-Tagen des gantzen Jahrs (Mainz, 1690; popular, illustrated ed., reissued twenty-one times by H. Herder, Freiburg-im-Breisgau, 1875–1908; Eng. transl., T. Noethen, New York, n.d.).[2]

## See also

[edit]

* Homiliarium
* Marginalia

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Adams, Gwenfair Walters; George, Timothy; Manetsch, Scott M. (2019). Romans 1-8. Downers Grove. ISBN 978-0-8308-7299-2. OCLC 1085625647.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
2. ^ a b c d Schaff, Philip. "Postil in New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge". Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
3. ^ Frymire 2010, p. 253.
4. ^ Frymire 2010, p. 419.
5. ^ Frymire 2010, p. 454.

## References

[edit]

* Frymire, John M. (2010). The primacy of the postils : Catholics, Protestants, and the dissemination of ideas in early modern Germany. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-18360-5. OCLC 695988970.
* Holtz, Sabine. Predigt: Religiöser Transfer über Postillen. OCLC 1184503298.

Attribution

* This article incorporates text from a publication in the public domain: Jackson, Samuel Macauley, ed. (1914). "Postil". New Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge (third ed.). London and New York: Funk and Wagnalls.

* v
* t
* e

Order of the Divine Service in Lutheranism

Preparatory Service|

* Entrance hymn and Trinitarian formula (known as the Invocation)
* Penitential Act including the Confiteor and Declaration of Grace (or Asperges on Easter)

The Service of the Word|

* Introit
* Gloria Patri
* Kýrie
* Gloria
* Dominus vobiscum
* Oremus
* Collect
* Old Testament reading
* gradual (or Responsorial Psalm)
* Epistle
* Alleluia (tract during Lent)
* Gospel
* Hymn of the day
* Homily or Postil (Sermon)
* Nicene Creed (Athanasian Creed on Trinity Sunday)
* Offertory
* Prayers of the Faithful

The Service of the Eucharist|

* Preface (Sursum corda / Sanctus / Hosanna)
* Eucharistic Prayer (Epiclesis / Words of Institution / Memorial Acclamation)
* Lord's Prayer
* Sign of peace / pax (elevation)
* Agnus Dei
* Distribution
* Nunc dimittis
* Postcommunion
* Benedicamus Domino
* Benediction
* Dismissal
* Ite, missa est

Participants|

* Acolyte
* bishop
* cantor
* choir
* crucifer
* deacon
* elder
* laity
* lector
* Pastor (or Priest)
* usher

Parts of the Sanctuary|

* altar
* altar bell
* altar crucifix
* altar rail
* kneeler
* piscina
* processional cross
* tabernacle

Candles|

* altar candle
* paschal candle
* sanctuary lamp
* votive candle

Liturgical vessels|

* ciborium
* chalice
* cruet

Liturgical objects|

* collection basket
* holy water
* incense (use)
* paten
* sacramental bread (wafer)
* sacramental wine
* thurible

Vestments|

* alb
* chasuble
* dalmatic
* geneva gown
* humeral veil
* stole
* surplice
* tunicle

Liturgical books and hymnals|

* Christian Worship (1993)
* Christian Worship (2021)
* Common Service Book (1917)
* Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (1912)
* Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (1996)
* Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006)
* Lutheran Book of Worship (1978)
* The Lutheran Hymnal (1941)
* Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement (1989)
* Lutheran Service Book (2006)
* Lutheran Worship (1982)
* ReClaim Hymnal (2006)
* Service Book and Hymnal (1958)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template