Disputation — Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V · from Schola Thomistica
Disputation IV: On Adoration
Of the adoration, which is an act of Religion, D. Thomas treats here. But of Adorations in particular I shall treat in 3. part. Tract. 1. disp. 27., where I shall dispute at large what Adoration is owed to God, what to Christ, to the most holy Blessed Virgin, to Images, and to the Cross. Now Adoration is threefold: Dulia, Hyperdulia, and Latria, which is the chief; which division takes its origin from the Diverse consideration of the object about which Adoration is concerned; for if the object is simply infinite, Latria is owed to it; if it is honored with certain insignia of excellence, Dulia is exhibited to it; but if it attains a dignity surpassing the others, it will be honored with Hyperdulia, as will appear below.
De adoratione, quae est actus Religionis, agit D. Thom. hic. De Adorationibus vero in particulari, agam 3. part. Tract. 1. disp. 27. ubi late disputabo, quae Adoratio Deo, quae Christo, B. Virgini Sanctissimae, Imaginibus, et Cruci debeatur. Triplex autem est Adoratio: Dulia, Hyperdulia, et Latria, quae praecipua est; quae Divisio ortum habet e Diversa consideratione obiecti, circa quod versatur Adoratio; nam si est obiectum simpliciter infinitum, illi debetur Latria; si excellentiae insignibus aliquibus honoratur, exhibetur ei Dulia; si vero supereminentem caeteris dignitatem attingit, Hyperdulia honorabitur, ut infra patebit.