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Views from the Choir Loft

How Much Latin Do You Need?

Veronica Brandt · September 23, 2017

Odda's Chapel Inscription ATIN HAS A REPUTATION as a mark of a highly learned student. The language can seem like a bit of a barrier, even though much of our own language is derived from Latin. In a liturgical setting there are usually translations available, or the texts are well known, so a complete grasp of the ins and outs of the language are not essential, but what are the most valuable things to learn?

I took a copy of the text of the 2002 Missale Romanum and found the 20 most common words along with how many times each occurs.

  • 7523 et – and
  • 4754 in – in or sometimes on
  • 2867 ad – to
  • 2484 per – for
  • 2224 ut – that
  • 1781 qui – who
  • 1627 de – of
  • 1531 Dómine – Lord
  • 1331 Deus – God
  • 1228 pro – for
  • 1211 Christum – Christ
  • 1114 cum – with
  • 1015 Dóminum – Lord
  • 1011 communionem – Communion
  • 974 vel – or
  • 955 super – over
  • 931 est – is
  • 907 ant – abbreviation for Antiphon
  • 828 N – stands in for the name of someone, eg. Pope N.
  • 799 nos – us

These twenty words count for 20% of the total text! That’s one fifth of the Missal. And “n” isn’t even a word, so you only have 19 words left to learn already.

“Domine” and “Dominum” both mean “Lord” – the endings indicate different grammatical clues, but you can work your way up to those nuances later.

I bet you could guess that “Christum” means “Christ” – if you add in Christo, Christus, Christi and Christe then you have covered even more of the Missal.

I hope that gives you a start – or provides a list you can pass on to a friend who may need some encouragement.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The Council of Trent taught: “In this divine sacrifice which takes place at Mass, the same Christ is present and is immolated in an unbloody manner, Who once on the Cross offered Himself in a bloody manner. For the victim is one and the same, now offering through the ministry of priests, Who then offered Himself on the Cross; only the manner of offering is different” (Session XXII, cap. 2, Denzinger, n. 940).

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

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