← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
This lesson introduces the verb quaerō, essential for expressing seeking, searching, and inquiry in ecclesiastical texts. We'll explore its various forms and uses in Christian Latin literature.
113.1 Quaerite Seek prīmum first rēgnum kingdom Deī of God
113.2 Discipulī The disciples Iēsum Jesus quaerēbant were seeking
113.3 Nōn not quaerimus we seek glōriam glory nostram our
113.4 Māter mother fīlium son suum her quaesīvit sought
113.5 Quid what quaeris do you seek in in dēsertō desert
113.6 Sapientiam wisdom quaerent they will seek iūstī the just
113.7 Animae souls quaerentēs seeking Deum God invenient will find
113.8 Petīte ask et and accipietis you will receive quaerite seek et and inveniētis you will find
113.9 Sacerdōs priest vēritātem truth in in scrīptūrīs scriptures quaerat let him seek
113.10 Omnēs all quī who quaerunt seek misericordiam mercy inveniunt find
113.11 Cor heart meum my tē you Domine Lord quaesīvit has sought
113.12 In in templō temple puerī boys magistrum teacher quaerēbant were seeking
113.13 Pāstor shepherd ovem sheep perditam lost quaerit seeks
113.14 Nōlīte do not quaerere seek quae things which pereunt perish
113.15 Fīdēlēs faithful semper always voluntātem will Deī of God quaerant let them seek
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113.1 Quaerite prīmum rēgnum Deī. Seek first the kingdom of God.
113.2 Discipulī Iēsum quaerēbant. The disciples were looking for Jesus.
113.3 Nōn quaerimus glōriam nostram. We do not seek our own glory.
113.4 Māter fīlium suum quaesīvit. The mother searched for her son.
113.5 Quid quaeris in dēsertō? What are you seeking in the desert?
113.6 Sapientiam quaerent iūstī. The righteous will seek wisdom.
113.7 Animae quaerentēs Deum invenient. Souls seeking God will find Him.
113.8 Petīte et accipietis, quaerite et inveniētis. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.
113.9 Sacerdōs vēritātem in scrīptūrīs quaerat. Let the priest seek truth in the scriptures.
113.10 Omnēs quī quaerunt misericordiam inveniunt. All who seek mercy find it.
113.11 Cor meum tē, Domine, quaesīvit. My heart has sought you, Lord.
113.12 In templō puerī magistrum quaerēbant. In the temple the boys were looking for the teacher.
113.13 Pāstor ovem perditam quaerit. The shepherd seeks the lost sheep.
113.14 Nōlīte quaerere quae pereunt. Do not seek things that perish.
113.15 Fīdēlēs semper voluntātem Deī quaerant. Let the faithful always seek God's will.
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113.1 Quaerite prīmum rēgnum Deī.
113.2 Discipulī Iēsum quaerēbant.
113.3 Nōn quaerimus glōriam nostram.
113.4 Māter fīlium suum quaesīvit.
113.5 Quid quaeris in dēsertō?
113.6 Sapientiam quaerent iūstī.
113.7 Animae quaerentēs Deum invenient.
113.8 Petīte et accipietis, quaerite et inveniētis.
113.9 Sacerdōs vēritātem in scrīptūrīs quaerat.
113.10 Omnēs quī quaerunt misericordiam inveniunt.
113.11 Cor meum tē, Domine, quaesīvit.
113.12 In templō puerī magistrum quaerēbant.
113.13 Pāstor ovem perditam quaerit.
113.14 Nōlīte quaerere quae pereunt.
113.15 Fīdēlēs semper voluntātem Deī quaerant.
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For English speakers learning ecclesiastical Latin, understanding quaerō requires attention to several key points: -
Conjugation Pattern: Quaerō is a third conjugation verb (-ere ending) -
Present: quaerō, quaeris, quaerit, quaerimus, quaeritis, quaerunt -
Imperfect: quaerēbam, quaerēbās, quaerēbat, etc. -
Perfect: quaesīvī, quaesīvistī, quaesīvit, etc. -
The participial form: quaerentēs (seeking) -
Common Constructions: -
Direct object in accusative: Deum quaerit (he seeks God) -
With prepositional phrases: in scrīptūrīs quaerit (seeks in the scriptures) -
In indirect questions: quaerit quid faciat (he asks what he should do) -
Imperative Forms: -
Singular: quaere (seek!) -
Plural: quaerite (seek! - you all) -
These are extremely common in Biblical and liturgical texts -
Subjunctive Uses: -
Hortatory: quaerat (let him seek) -
Purpose clauses: ut quaerat (so that he may seek) -
Result clauses: ita ut quaerat (so that he seeks) -
Distinction from Similar Verbs: -
petō = to ask for, request -
quaerō = to seek, search for, inquire -
rogō = to ask (a question)
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For English speakers studying ecclesiastical Latin, quaerō carries profound theological significance: -
Biblical Usage: The verb appears frequently in the Vulgate, especially in Christ's teachings about seeking God's kingdom and righteousness. The famous "Seek and you shall find" (Matthew 7:7) uses this verb. -
Monastic Tradition: Medieval monks spoke of the quaerere Deum (seeking God) as the fundamental purpose of monastic life. This concept shaped Western spirituality for centuries. -
Liturgical Context: In prayers and hymns, quaerō expresses the soul's longing for divine truth and presence. It appears in collects, responsories, and spiritual canticles. -
Scholastic Philosophy: Medieval scholars used quaerō in their theological disputations (quaestiōnēs), where they would "seek" truth through systematic inquiry. -
Modern Relevance: The verb remains central in Catholic theology, expressing humanity's fundamental orientation toward the divine. It connects to the English words "query," "quest," and "question," all derived from this Latin root.
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From St. Augustine's Confessions (Book 1, Chapter 1):
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Fēcistī You made nōs us ad for tē yourself et and inquiētum restless est is cor heart nostrum our dōnec until requiescat it rests in in tē you. Quis who mihi to me dabit will give ut that veniās you may come in into cor heart meum my et and inebriēs intoxicate illud it ut so that oblīviscar I may forget mala evils mea my et and ūnum one bonum good meum my amplectar I may embrace tē you.
Fēcistī nōs ad tē et inquiētum est cor nostrum dōnec requiescat in tē. Quis mihi dabit ut veniās in cor meum et inebriēs illud, ut oblīviscar mala mea et ūnum bonum meum amplectar, tē?
You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. Who will grant me that you may come into my heart and intoxicate it, so that I may forget my evils and embrace my one good, you?
Augustine's text exemplifies the soul's quest (quaerere) for God, though he uses the related concept of restlessness (inquiētum) to express this seeking. The passage shows typical Augustinian features: direct address to God, psychological introspection, and the paradox of seeking One who is already present. The subjunctive forms (veniās, oblīviscar, amplectar) express the longing inherent in all spiritual seeking.
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Fēcistī: perfect tense, showing completed action with ongoing effects -
ad tē: expressing purpose or destination -
dōnec requiescat: temporal clause with subjunctive -
Quis dabit ut: classical construction for "who will grant that" -
Series of subjunctives expressing desire and purpose -
Note the accumulation of first-person pronouns (mihi, meum, mea) emphasizing personal relationship
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113.16 Sanctus Saint Antōnius Anthony in in dēsertō desert Deum God ferventissimē most fervently quaerēbat was seeking
113.17 Daemonēs demons eum him temptābant were tempting sed but ille he sōlum only Christum Christ quaerēbat was seeking
113.18 Multī many monachī monks ad to eum him veniēbant were coming quaerentēs seeking cōnsilium counsel spīritāle spiritual
113.19 Quaesīvit sought sanctus saint vir man sōlitūdinem solitude ut so that perfectius more perfectly Deō to God servīret he might serve
113.20 Māter mother beāta blessed Mōnica Monica fīlium son suum her Augustīnum Augustine cum with lacrimīs tears quaerēbat was seeking
113.21 Per through multōs many annōs years conversīōnem conversion eius his quaesīvit she sought ōrāns praying
113.22 Sancta Saint Therēsia Teresa perfectam perfect ūniōnem union cum with Deō God in in ōrātiōne prayer quaerēbat was seeking
113.23 Quaerentibus to those seeking viam way salūtis of salvation sanctī saints exemplum example praebent provide
113.24 Franciscus Francis paupertātem poverty et and simplicitātem simplicity Chrīstī of Christ quaesīvit sought
113.25 In in vīsiōnibus visions caelestibus heavenly voluntātem will Deī of God sancta saint Catharīna Catherine quaerēbat was seeking
113.26 Nōn not honōrēs honors mundī of world sed but glōriam glory Deī of God quaerunt seek vērī true sanctī saints
113.27 Benedictus Benedict locum place quaesīvit sought ubi where cum with frātribus brothers Deum God laudāret he might praise
113.28 Quaerite seek intercessiōnem intercession sanctōrum of saints dīcēbat was saying praedicātor preacher fīdēlibus to faithful
113.29 Mīrācula miracles facientēs performing sanctī saints sōlam only Deī God's glōriam glory quaerēbant were seeking
113.30 Usque until ad to mortem death vēritātem truth et and iūstitiam justice quaesīvērunt they sought martyrēs martyrs Chrīstī of Christ
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113.16 Sanctus Antōnius in dēsertō Deum ferventissimē quaerēbat. Saint Anthony was seeking God most fervently in the desert.
113.17 Daemonēs eum temptābant, sed ille sōlum Christum quaerēbat. Demons tempted him, but he sought only Christ.
113.18 Multī monachī ad eum veniēbant quaerentēs cōnsilium spīritāle. Many monks came to him seeking spiritual counsel.
113.19 Quaesīvit sanctus vir sōlitūdinem ut perfectius Deō servīret. The holy man sought solitude so that he might serve God more perfectly.
113.20 Māter beāta Mōnica fīlium suum Augustīnum cum lacrimīs quaerēbat. Blessed mother Monica sought her son Augustine with tears.
113.21 Per multōs annōs conversīōnem eius quaesīvit ōrāns. For many years she sought his conversion through prayer.
113.22 Sancta Therēsia perfectam ūniōnem cum Deō in ōrātiōne quaerēbat. Saint Teresa sought perfect union with God in prayer.
113.23 Quaerentibus viam salūtis sanctī exemplum praebent. To those seeking the way of salvation, the saints provide an example.
113.24 Franciscus paupertātem et simplicitātem Chrīstī quaesīvit. Francis sought the poverty and simplicity of Christ.
113.25 In vīsiōnibus caelestibus voluntātem Deī sancta Catharīna quaerēbat. In heavenly visions Saint Catherine sought God's will.
113.26 Nōn honōrēs mundī sed glōriam Deī quaerunt vērī sanctī. True saints seek not worldly honors but God's glory.
113.27 Benedictus locum quaesīvit ubi cum frātribus Deum laudāret. Benedict sought a place where he might praise God with his brothers.
113.28 Quaerite intercessiōnem sanctōrum, dīcēbat praedicātor fīdēlibus. Seek the intercession of the saints, the preacher told the faithful.
113.29 Mīrācula facientēs, sanctī sōlam Deī glōriam quaerēbant. While performing miracles, the saints sought only God's glory.
113.30 Usque ad mortem vēritātem et iūstitiam quaesīvērunt martyrēs Chrīstī. Even unto death, the martyrs of Christ sought truth and justice.
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113.16 Sanctus Antōnius in dēsertō Deum ferventissimē quaerēbat.
113.17 Daemonēs eum temptābant, sed ille sōlum Christum quaerēbat.
113.18 Multī monachī ad eum veniēbant quaerentēs cōnsilium spīritāle.
113.19 Quaesīvit sanctus vir sōlitūdinem ut perfectius Deō servīret.
113.20 Māter beāta Mōnica fīlium suum Augustīnum cum lacrimīs quaerēbat.
113.21 Per multōs annōs conversīōnem eius quaesīvit ōrāns.
113.22 Sancta Therēsia perfectam ūniōnem cum Deō in ōrātiōne quaerēbat.
113.23 Quaerentibus viam salūtis sanctī exemplum praebent.
113.24 Franciscus paupertātem et simplicitātem Chrīstī quaesīvit.
113.25 In vīsiōnibus caelestibus voluntātem Deī sancta Catharīna quaerēbat.
113.26 Nōn honōrēs mundī sed glōriam Deī quaerunt vērī sanctī.
113.27 Benedictus locum quaesīvit ubi cum frātribus Deum laudāret.
113.28 Quaerite intercessiōnem sanctōrum, dīcēbat praedicātor fīdēlibus.
113.29 Mīrācula facientēs, sanctī sōlam Deī glōriam quaerēbant.
113.30 Usque ad mortem vēritātem et iūstitiam quaesīvērunt martyrēs Chrīstī.
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Understanding how quaerō functions in hagiographical texts requires attention to several specialized uses: -
Spiritual Seeking Constructions: -
Abstract objects: paupertātem quaerere (to seek poverty) -
Divine attributes: voluntātem Deī quaerere (to seek God's will) -
Mystical states: ūniōnem cum Deō quaerere (to seek union with God) -
Participial Uses in Saints' Lives: -
Present participle as adjective: monachī quaerentēs (monks seeking) -
Present participle showing purpose: veniēbant quaerentēs (they came seeking) -
With ablative absolute: mīrācula facientēs...quaerēbant (while performing miracles...they sought) -
Purpose Clauses with ut: -
quaesīvit sōlitūdinem ut Deō servīret (he sought solitude to serve God) -
Shows the spiritual motivation behind the seeking -
Hagiographical Word Order: -
Subject often delayed for emphasis: Quaesīvit sanctus vir -
Important spiritual objects fronted: Deum ferventissimē quaerēbat -
Contrasts highlighted: Nōn honōrēs mundī sed glōriam Deī -
Temporal Expressions: -
per multōs annōs (for many years) - duration of spiritual seeking -
usque ad mortem (even unto death) - ultimate commitment -
These show the perseverance required in holy seeking -
Common Hagiographical Vocabulary with quaerō: -
cōnsilium (counsel) - spiritual direction -
intercessiōnem (intercession) - saintly mediation -
conversīōnem (conversion) - spiritual transformation -
sōlitūdinem (solitude) - monastic withdrawal
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