← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
111.1 Virtūs virtue Chrīstiāna Christian in in cruce cross perfecta perfected est is
111.2 Monachī monks virtūtem virtue patientiāe of patience cotīdiē daily exercent practice
111.3 Sine without virtūte virtue nēmō no one potest can Deum God vidēre to see
111.4 Mārtyrēs martyrs magnā with great virtūte virtue mortem death sustinuērunt endured
111.5 Virtūtis of virtue exemplum example nōbīs to us Marīa Mary dedit gave
111.6 Per through virtūtem virtue fidēī of faith sanctī saints mundō to world vīcērunt conquered
111.7 Deus God virtūtibus with virtues animam soul nostram our ōrnat adorns
111.8 Quaerit seeks virtūtem virtue quī who vēram true sapientiam wisdom dēsīderat desires
111.9 Virtūtum of virtues corōna crown in in caelō heaven sanctōs saints exspectat awaits
111.10 Humilitās humility est is virtūs virtue quae which Deō to God placet pleases
111.11 Apostolī apostles virtūte by virtue Spīritūs of Spirit Sanctī Holy praedicāvērunt preached
111.12 Omnēs all virtūtēs virtues ex from cāritāte charity oriuntur arise
111.13 Puer boy Iēsūs Jesus in in virtūte virtue et and sapientiā wisdom crēscēbat was growing
111.14 Fortitūdō fortitude virtūs virtue est is quā by which perīcula dangers superāmus we overcome
111.15 Virtūtis of virtue praemium reward vīta life aeterna eternal erit will be
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111.1 Virtūs Chrīstiāna in cruce perfecta est. Christian virtue was perfected on the cross.
111.2 Monachī virtūtem patientiāe cotīdiē exercent. Monks practice the virtue of patience daily.
111.3 Sine virtūte nēmō Deum vidēre potest. Without virtue no one can see God.
111.4 Mārtyrēs magnā virtūte mortem sustinuērunt. The martyrs endured death with great courage.
111.5 Virtūtis exemplum nōbīs Marīa dedit. Mary gave us an example of virtue.
111.6 Per fidēī virtūtem sanctī mundō vīcērunt. Through the virtue of faith the saints conquered the world.
111.7 Deus animam nostram virtūtibus ōrnat. God adorns our soul with virtues.
111.8 Virtūtem quaerit quī vēram sapientiam dēsīderat. He who desires true wisdom seeks virtue.
111.9 Virtūtum corōna sanctōs in caelō exspectat. A crown of virtues awaits the saints in heaven.
111.10 Humilitās est virtūs quae Deō placet. Humility is a virtue that pleases God.
111.11 Apostolī virtūte Spīritūs Sanctī praedicāvērunt. The apostles preached by the power of the Holy Spirit.
111.12 Ex cāritāte omnēs virtūtēs oriuntur. All virtues arise from charity.
111.13 Puer Iēsūs in virtūte et sapientiā crēscēbat. The boy Jesus grew in virtue and wisdom.
111.14 Fortitūdō est virtūs quā perīcula superāmus. Fortitude is the virtue by which we overcome dangers.
111.15 Virtūtis praemium erit vīta aeterna. The reward of virtue will be eternal life.
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111.1 Virtūs Chrīstiāna in cruce perfecta est.
111.2 Monachī virtūtem patientiāe cotīdiē exercent.
111.3 Sine virtūte nēmō Deum vidēre potest.
111.4 Mārtyrēs magnā virtūte mortem sustinuērunt.
111.5 Virtūtis exemplum nōbīs Marīa dedit.
111.6 Per fidēī virtūtem sanctī mundō vīcērunt.
111.7 Deus animam nostram virtūtibus ōrnat.
111.8 Virtūtem quaerit quī vēram sapientiam dēsīderat.
111.9 Virtūtum corōna sanctōs in caelō exspectat.
111.10 Humilitās est virtūs quae Deō placet.
111.11 Apostolī virtūte Spīritūs Sanctī praedicāvērunt.
111.12 Ex cāritāte omnēs virtūtēs oriuntur.
111.13 Puer Iēsūs in virtūte et sapientiā crēscēbat.
111.14 Fortitūdō est virtūs quā perīcula superāmus.
111.15 Virtūtis praemium erit vīta aeterna.
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For English speakers learning Latin, virtūs, virtūtis presents several important grammatical features: -
Declension Pattern: This is a 3rd declension feminine noun with a consonant stem. The forms are: -
Nominative: virtūs -
Genitive: virtūtis -
Dative: virtūtī -
Accusative: virtūtem -
Ablative: virtūte -
Plural: virtūtēs, virtūtum, virtūtibus, virtūtēs, virtūtibus -
Stem Changes: Note how the nominative singular virtūs changes to virtūt- in other cases. This is typical of 3rd declension nouns ending in -s. -
Common Constructions: -
With prepositions: sine virtūte (without virtue), per virtūtem (through virtue) -
As ablative of means: virtūte (by virtue/courage) -
With genitive: virtūtis exemplum (example of virtue) -
In genitive phrases: virtūtem patientiāe (virtue of patience) -
Related Vocabulary: The word connects to English "virtue" and "virtuous," helping English speakers remember its meaning. -
Medieval Usage: In Christian Latin, virtūs often refers to moral virtues (cardinal and theological) rather than just "manliness" as in Classical Latin.
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For English speakers studying Medieval Latin, understanding virtūs requires appreciating its Christian transformation: -
Classical vs. Christian Meaning: While Romans originally understood virtūs as "manliness" or "courage" (from vir, "man"), Christians expanded it to mean moral excellence accessible to all. -
The Seven Virtues: Medieval theology recognized: -
Three Theological Virtues: Faith (fidēs), Hope (spēs), Charity (cāritās) -
Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence (prūdentia), Justice (iūstitia), Temperance (temperantia), Fortitude (fortitūdō) -
Monastic Virtues: Monasteries emphasized additional virtues like: -
Humility (humilitās) -
Obedience (oboedientia) -
Patience (patientia) -
Saints as Models: Medieval Christians saw saints as exemplars of virtue, with each saint often associated with particular virtues. -
Modern English Heritage: Many virtue-related terms entered English through Church Latin: virtue, fortitude, temperance, prudence, etc.
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From St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I-II, q. 55, a. 1:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Virtūs virtue humāna human est is habitus habit perfectīvus perfecting hominis of man secundum according to quod which est he is homō. man. Sed But homō man cōnstituitur is constituted per through ratiōnem reason quae which est is propria proper forma form hominis. of man. Unde Whence virtūs virtue humāna human est is quae which facit makes bonum good opus work ratiōnis. of reason.
Virtūs humāna est habitus perfectīvus hominis secundum quod est homō. Sed homō cōnstituitur per ratiōnem quae est propria forma hominis. Unde virtūs humāna est quae facit bonum opus ratiōnis.
Human virtue is a habit that perfects man insofar as he is man. But man is constituted through reason, which is the proper form of man. Hence human virtue is that which produces the good work of reason.
Virtūs humāna est habitus perfectīvus hominis secundum quod est homō. Sed homō cōnstituitur per ratiōnem quae est propria forma hominis. Unde virtūs humāna est quae facit bonum opus ratiōnis.
This passage demonstrates scholastic Latin's precision: -
est habitus: Predicate nominative construction defining virtue -
secundum quod: "According to which/insofar as" - typical scholastic phrase -
cōnstituitur: Passive voice showing how man is defined -
quae facit: Relative clause with subjunctive showing purpose/result -
The repetition of homō/hominis creates philosophical emphasis
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111.16 Sanctus Saint Martīnus Martin mīlitāris military virtūtis of virtue exemplum example prīmum first deinde then Chrīstiānae Christian virtūtis of virtue speciēs model factus made est was
111.17 Cum when adhūc still catēchūmenus catechumen esset he was virtūte by virtue cāritātis of charity pauperem poor man nūdum naked vestīvit he clothed
111.18 Beāta Blessed Agnes Agnes virgō virgin tredecim thirteen annōrum of years virtūtem virtue castitātis of chastity ūsque even ad to mortem death servāvit preserved
111.19 Virtūtibus with virtues clārus famous Benedictus Benedict monachōrum of monks pater father multōs many ad to perfectionem perfection dūxit led
111.20 Sancta Saint Caecilia Cecilia in in ipsīs very nūptiīs wedding virtūtem virtue virginitātis of virginity Valeriānō to Valerian spōnsō spouse suō her praedicāvit preached
111.21 Fortissimā with most strong virtūte virtue praeditus endowed Laurentius Lawrence diāconus deacon in on crāticulā gridiron prō for Chrīstō Christ passus suffered est is
111.22 Antōnius Anthony eremīta hermit omnium of all virtūtum virtues cultor cultivator in in dēsertō desert daemonēs demons superāvit overcame
111.23 Virtūtis of virtue fortitūdinis of fortitude exemplār model Iōannēs John Baptista Baptist rēgem king Hērōdem Herod ob for incestum incest reprehendit rebuked
111.24 Mirandā with wonderful humilitātis of humility virtūte virtue Franciscus Francis Assisiēnsis of Assisi sē himself minimum least omnium of all frātrum brothers appellābat called
111.25 Scholastica Scholastica virgō virgin tantā with such great virtūte virtue ōrātiōnis of prayer praedita endowed erat was ut that tempestātem storm ā from Deō God impetrāret she obtained
111.26 Virtūtem virtue paupertātis of poverty amāns loving Clāra Clare omnibus all dīvitiīs riches renūntiāvit renounced
111.27 Stephanus Stephen prōtomārtyr protomartyr virtūtis of virtue exemplum example dedit gave cum when prō for inimīcīs enemies ōrāret he prayed
111.28 Magnās great virtūtēs virtues Augustīnus Augustine post after conversiōnem conversion exercuit exercised quī who anteā before vitiīs to vices dēditus given fuerat had been
111.29 Catharīna Catherine Alexandrīna of Alexandria virtūte by virtue sapientiae of wisdom philosophōs philosophers superāvit overcame et and ad to fidem faith convertit converted
111.30 Omnis every virtūs virtue in in Marīā Mary Virgine Virgin perfectissimē most perfectly fulget shines quae who grātiā with grace plēna full salūtāta greeted est was
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111.16 Sanctus Martīnus prīmum mīlitāris virtūtis exemplum, deinde Chrīstiānae virtūtis speciēs factus est. Saint Martin first became an example of military valor, then a model of Christian virtue.
111.17 Cum adhūc catēchūmenus esset, virtūte cāritātis pauperem nūdum vestīvit. When he was still a catechumen, he clothed a naked poor man through the virtue of charity.
111.18 Beāta Agnes virgō tredecim annōrum virtūtem castitātis ūsque ad mortem servāvit. Blessed Agnes, a virgin of thirteen years, preserved the virtue of chastity even unto death.
111.19 Virtūtibus clārus Benedictus monachōrum pater multōs ad perfectionem dūxit. Benedict, famous for his virtues and father of monks, led many to perfection.
111.20 Sancta Caecilia in ipsīs nūptiīs virtūtem virginitātis Valeriānō spōnsō suō praedicāvit. Saint Cecilia preached the virtue of virginity to her spouse Valerian at their very wedding.
111.21 Fortissimā virtūte praeditus Laurentius diāconus in crāticulā prō Chrīstō passus est. Lawrence the deacon, endowed with the strongest courage, suffered on a gridiron for Christ.
111.22 Antōnius eremīta, omnium virtūtum cultor, in dēsertō daemonēs superāvit. Anthony the hermit, cultivator of all virtues, overcame demons in the desert.
111.23 Virtūtis fortitūdinis exemplār Iōannēs Baptista rēgem Hērōdem ob incestum reprehendit. John the Baptist, a model of the virtue of fortitude, rebuked King Herod for incest.
111.24 Mirandā humilitātis virtūte Franciscus Assisiēnsis sē minimum omnium frātrum appellābat. Francis of Assisi with wonderful virtue of humility called himself the least of all the brothers.
111.25 Scholastica virgō tantā virtūte ōrātiōnis praedita erat ut tempestātem ā Deō impetrāret. The virgin Scholastica was endowed with such great virtue of prayer that she obtained a storm from God.
111.26 Virtūtem paupertātis amāns Clāra omnibus dīvitiīs renūntiāvit. Clare, loving the virtue of poverty, renounced all riches.
111.27 Stephanus prōtomārtyr virtūtis exemplum dedit cum prō inimīcīs ōrāret. Stephen the protomartyr gave an example of virtue when he prayed for his enemies.
111.28 Magnās virtūtēs Augustīnus post conversiōnem exercuit, quī anteā vitiīs dēditus fuerat. Augustine exercised great virtues after his conversion, who had previously been given to vices.
111.29 Catharīna Alexandrīna virtūte sapientiae philosophōs superāvit et ad fidem convertit. Catherine of Alexandria overcame philosophers by the virtue of wisdom and converted them to the faith.
111.30 Omnis virtūs in Marīā Virgine perfectissimē fulget, quae grātiā plēna salūtāta est. Every virtue shines most perfectly in the Virgin Mary, who was greeted as full of grace.
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111.16 Sanctus Martīnus prīmum mīlitāris virtūtis exemplum, deinde Chrīstiānae virtūtis speciēs factus est.
111.17 Cum adhūc catēchūmenus esset, virtūte cāritātis pauperem nūdum vestīvit.
111.18 Beāta Agnes virgō tredecim annōrum virtūtem castitātis ūsque ad mortem servāvit.
111.19 Virtūtibus clārus Benedictus monachōrum pater multōs ad perfectionem dūxit.
111.20 Sancta Caecilia in ipsīs nūptiīs virtūtem virginitātis Valeriānō spōnsō suō praedicāvit.
111.21 Fortissimā virtūte praeditus Laurentius diāconus in crāticulā prō Chrīstō passus est.
111.22 Antōnius eremīta, omnium virtūtum cultor, in dēsertō daemonēs superāvit.
111.23 Virtūtis fortitūdinis exemplār Iōannēs Baptista rēgem Hērōdem ob incestum reprehendit.
111.24 Mirandā humilitātis virtūte Franciscus Assisiēnsis sē minimum omnium frātrum appellābat.
111.25 Scholastica virgō tantā virtūte ōrātiōnis praedita erat ut tempestātem ā Deō impetrāret.
111.26 Virtūtem paupertātis amāns Clāra omnibus dīvitiīs renūntiāvit.
111.27 Stephanus prōtomārtyr virtūtis exemplum dedit cum prō inimīcīs ōrāret.
111.28 Magnās virtūtēs Augustīnus post conversiōnem exercuit, quī anteā vitiīs dēditus fuerat.
111.29 Catharīna Alexandrīna virtūte sapientiae philosophōs superāvit et ad fidem convertit.
111.30 Omnis virtūs in Marīā Virgine perfectissimē fulget, quae grātiā plēna salūtāta est.
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The hagiographical examples demonstrate several key features of Medieval Latin saints' lives: -
Virtue as Character Definition: Saints are regularly described using virtūs with various genitives: -
virtūs cāritātis (virtue of charity) -
virtūs castitātis (virtue of chastity) -
virtūs fortitūdinis (virtue of fortitude) -
Ablative of Means/Manner: The ablative virtūte frequently shows how saints accomplished their deeds: -
virtūte cāritātis vestīvit (clothed by the virtue of charity) -
virtūte sapientiae superāvit (overcame by the virtue of wisdom) -
Participle Constructions: -
virtūte praeditus (endowed with virtue) -
virtūtibus clārus (famous for virtues) -
Result Clauses: tantā virtūte... ut (such great virtue... that) shows the miraculous effects of saintly virtue. -
Temporal Expressions: Hagiographies often emphasize when virtues were displayed: -
post conversiōnem (after conversion) -
ūsque ad mortem (even unto death) -
cum... ōrāret (when he prayed)
These patterns help English speakers recognize the formulaic nature of hagiographical Latin while building vocabulary for reading saints' lives.
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