RICCARDO il PREMOSTRATENSE (Anglicus, da WEDINGHAUSEN). - A Premonstratensian writer, in all probability of English origin, who wrote in the second half of the 12th century, perhaps identical with that Riccardo da Wedinghausen (or Arnsberg) in Germany who died there ca. 1190.
R. is the author of an interpretation of the Mass (De canone Missae: PL 177, 455-470), then very widespread, which explains the Canon on the basis of the signs of the Cross made by the celebrant before and after the Consecration, following the principle: virtus Missae Crux est. In contrast to allegorical interpretations of the Mass, R.’s work represents an advance because it considers actions and terms in themselves. His literary authorship of the De computo Ecclesiae is uncertain; that of a life of St. Orsola (Acta SS. Octobris, IX, Parigi-Roma 1869, pp. 92 sg., 173 sgg.) is much disputed.