Monday, December 1, 2014

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Here is a link to the Alma Redemptoris Mater, a beautiful hymn to Mary sung during Advent.
Alma Redemptoris Mater

This is one of four Marian antiphons, traditionally said or sung after night prayer, immediately before going to sleep. It is said from the beginning of Advent (from night before the fourth Sunday before Christmas) through February 1.
In English:
O Loving Mother of our Redeemer
O loving Mother of our Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea,
Hasten to aid thy fallen people who strive to rise once more.
Thou who brought forth thy holy Creator, all creation wond'ring,
Yet remainest ever Virgin, taking from Gabriel's lips
that joyful "Hail!": be merciful to us sinners.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Latin Songs

Here are some songs to help with some Latin memorization:

            1.  The Five Cases:  “The Farmer in the Dell” (tune)
                        N. The Subject      ------|
                        G.  of                           |           ß Repeat
                        D.  to, for               ------|
                        A.  The object is accusative
                        A.  In, by, from, with -- these four.

            2.  First (or Second) Declension:  “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” (tune)
                        Joe MacDonald has a noun, a, ae, ae, am a
                                                                        (us, i, o um, o)
                        Some endings to this noun he put, ae, arum, is, as, is.
                                                                        (i, orum, is, os, is)
                        With an “-a”, “-a” here, and an “ae,” “ae” there,
                                    (“us,” “us”)                      (“i,” “i”)
                        Here an ending, there an ending,
                        Adjectives or nouns depending,
                        Joe MacDonald had a noun, a, ae, ae, am, a.
                                                                      (us, i, o, um, o.)

3.      Third Declension:  “The Farmer in the Dell” (tune)
Blank, is, i, em, and e,
Blank, is, i, em, and e,
Es, um, ibus, and es ibus,
Blank, is, i, em, and e.

4.      Fourth Declension:  “Yankee Doodle” (tune)
Us, us, ui, um and u,
Us, uum, and ibus.
Then add to these the last two cases,
Us and also ibus.

5.      Fifth Declension:  “Yankee Doodle” (tune)
Res, rei, rei, rem, re,
Res, rerum and rebus.
Then add to these the last two cases,
Res and also rebus.


3.      (Singular) “Jingle Bells” (tune)
Hic, Haec, Hoc (repeat)
Huius all the way
Huic is the dative case, then,
Hunc, hanc, hoc, they say.

Hic, haec, hoc (repeat)
Huius all the way,
Then add to these the ablative case,
Hoc, hac, hoc they say.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Latin Riddles written by a Pope!

Follow the link below to learn how Pope Leo XIII wrote Latin riddles for a newspaper published entirely in Latin in Rome from 1898 to 1913.

Pope Leo XIII and Latin Riddles

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Roman Numerals Explained

In Chapter 38, we learned more about Roman numerals.
Here are two helpful videos to understand the Roman system.


Overview on Roman numerals

How to Read Roman Numerals

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Latin Words on the U.S. One Dollar Bill

Chapter 38 vocabulary words included: coepit and annus, leading us to wonder whether either or both was/were connected to the Latin words on the back of the U.S. Dollar Bill: "annuit coeptis." It turns out that annuit (He has favored -- annuo, annuere, annui, annutus + dat.) is not related to annus (year). But coeptis (beginnings/undertakings) is the noun form of coepit (he began). It is in the dative plural here.  When annuere takes a dative object, it means: to nod assent to; to be favorable to; to smile on.  Click on this link for a full explanation of the symbols and words on the back of the dollar bill.
Dollar Bill Explained

Monday, February 3, 2014

AVE REGINA CAELORUM

We are now learning the Ave Regina Caelorum.

Here is a link to a translation of the hymn and an excellent description of the hymn's history.
Translation and History of Ave Regina Caelorum

Here is a video containing the Latin lyrics sung by the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey at Ganagobie.
AVE REGINA CAELORUM

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Study Latin in Rome!?

Some may be interested in this opportunity to study Latin in Rome this summer through a program sponsored by the Paideia Institute in partnership with Princeton University.
Follow this link for information.
Living Latin in Rome (High School) June 28 - July 14, 2014