Standing on Holy Ground Holy Ground: we're all probably familiar with the Biblical account of Moses's first face-to-face encounter with God on Mt. Sinai. He sees a bush on fire, except the fire doesn't seem to consume it. The strange sight draws him closer, and as he approaches he hears the voice of God: God said, … Continue reading Holy Ground: Latin in the Liturgy
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Eram Quod Es: the Quote of the Week
These six little words (or is it two little words?) pack quite a punch.
The Human Touch: Latin in the Liturgy
Christian believers hope to participate in that communion in a more profound way in the next world. In this physical world, however, we rely on our corporeal senses. Latin has endured in the Church for such a long time because it gives us that human touch.
Appearances Can Deceive: Review of Wheelock’s Latin
Frederick Wheelock, then, did, not see his book as some sort of technical manual. He saw it as an invitation to engage as human beings with our brothers and sisters from the past who expressed themselves through the Latin language.
O Bone Deus: Adventures with the Vocative
Who knows, they may be right. Maybe Scribonius Largus was not an inept Latin stylist, but a champion of Writing For The Common Man. Either way, his work does cast some light on our discussion of the vocative singular of deus.
Something is Always Lost in Translation
The choices, preferences, experiences, and particular strengths and weaknesses of a given book's creators will unavoidably shape its presentation of the Latin language. Any and every introductory text will have a bias of some sort or other.
What’s the Best Kind of Book for Reading Latin?
The good news is that there's something for everyone. There are books for folks who want or need lots of help, there are versions for those who just want to engage the plain Latin text. If you're somewhere in between, well, you're covered too.
Words are a Window: Symbol and Mystery in the Creed
Words are our windows to the mind of our predecessors, and what we find there might surprise us. And, quite possibly, enlighten us.
Latin Via Ovid: a Message from Exile
So, in the end, the big question is this: do the strengths of the exclusive focus on Ovid outweigh the drawbacks? On the whole, I think they do . . . with conditions.
Eternity is Now: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
Every time we sing it or listen to "Of the Father's Love Begotten," we stand with the previous sixty-odd generations of forebears who sang the same song. Eternity is now.