Written sometime between 1205-1214 for monks at the abbey of Locedio in the diocese of Vercelli in northern Italy, these homilies were re-discovered in the seventeenth century and promptly attributed to another, far more famous Cistercian, Bernard of Clairvaux. In both style and doctrine, 'In Praise of God's Holy Mother ' and 'On Our Lord's Word to His Disciples at the Last Supper ' reflect a devotion somewhat dissimilar to and slightly later than Saint Bernard's.

D. Martin Jenni, Professor Emeritus of the University of Iowa School of Music, has distinguished himself as a composer, a teacher, and a scholar. Deeply familiar with the Latin chant of the Middle Ages, he has also studied the theology and literature of the period. Here he brings into modern English the long overlooked works of an almost forgotten medieval Cistercian spiritual writer.

Translated by: D. Martin Jenni