← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
118.1 Sub under caelō heaven stellātō starry pāstōrēs shepherds vigilant keep watch
118.2 Chrīstus Christ nātus born est is sub under Augustō Augustus imperātōre emperor
118.3 Petrus Peter negāvit denied Dominum Lord sub close to gallī rooster cantū crow
118.4 Monachī monks ōrant pray sub under campānārum bells sonitū sound
118.5 Sub under cruce cross stābat stood Māter Mother dolōrōsa sorrowful
118.6 Fīdēlēs faithful congregantur gather sub under tēctō roof ecclēsiae church
118.7 Puer boy Iēsūs Jesus invenitur is found sub close to tempōre time Paschae Passover
118.8 Sub under nocte night silentī silent angelī angels cantant sing
118.9 Apostolī apostles fugiunt flee sub at hōrā hour passiōnis passion
118.10 Vītam life aeternam eternal prōmittit promises Deus God sub under condiciōne condition fideī faith
118.11 Sub under manibus hands episcopī bishop sacrāmentum sacrament cōnfertur is conferred
118.12 Iūdaeī Jews sub under lēge law Mōysī Moses vīvēbant lived
118.13 Terrā earth sub under pedibus feet tremuit trembled mortis death Chrīstī Christ hōrā hour
118.14 Peccāta sins nostra our sub under sanguine blood Agnī Lamb mundantur are cleansed
118.15 Sub close to fīnem end mundī world veniet will come Chrīstus Christ iūdex judge
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118.1 Sub caelō stellātō pāstōrēs vigilant. Under the starry sky the shepherds keep watch.
118.2 Chrīstus nātus est sub Augustō imperātōre. Christ was born under the emperor Augustus.
118.3 Petrus negāvit Dominum sub gallī cantū. Peter denied the Lord at the rooster's crow.
118.4 Monachī ōrant sub campānārum sonitū. The monks pray beneath the sound of bells.
118.5 Sub cruce stābat Māter dolōrōsa. Beneath the cross stood the sorrowful Mother.
118.6 Fīdēlēs congregantur sub tēctō ecclēsiae. The faithful gather under the church roof.
118.7 Puer Iēsūs invenitur sub tempōre Paschae. The boy Jesus is found around the time of Passover.
118.8 Sub nocte silentī angelī cantant. In the silent night the angels sing.
118.9 Apostolī fugiunt sub hōrā passiōnis. The apostles flee at the hour of the passion.
118.10 Vītam aeternam prōmittit Deus sub condiciōne fideī. God promises eternal life under the condition of faith.
118.11 Sub manibus episcopī sacrāmentum cōnfertur. Under the bishop's hands the sacrament is conferred.
118.12 Iūdaeī sub lēge Mōysī vīvēbant. The Jews lived under the law of Moses.
118.13 Terrā sub pedibus tremuit mortis Chrīstī hōrā. The earth beneath their feet trembled at the hour of Christ's death.
118.14 Peccāta nostra sub sanguine Agnī mundantur. Our sins are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.
118.15 Sub fīnem mundī veniet Chrīstus iūdex. Near the end of the world Christ the judge will come.
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118.1 Sub caelō stellātō pāstōrēs vigilant.
118.2 Chrīstus nātus est sub Augustō imperātōre.
118.3 Petrus negāvit Dominum sub gallī cantū.
118.4 Monachī ōrant sub campānārum sonitū.
118.5 Sub cruce stābat Māter dolōrōsa.
118.6 Fīdēlēs congregantur sub tēctō ecclēsiae.
118.7 Puer Iēsūs invenitur sub tempōre Paschae.
118.8 Sub nocte silentī angelī cantant.
118.9 Apostolī fugiunt sub hōrā passiōnis.
118.10 Vītam aeternam prōmittit Deus sub condiciōne fideī.
118.11 Sub manibus episcopī sacrāmentum cōnfertur.
118.12 Iūdaeī sub lēge Mōysī vīvēbant.
118.13 Terrā sub pedibus tremuit mortis Chrīstī hōrā.
118.14 Peccāta nostra sub sanguine Agnī mundantur.
118.15 Sub fīnem mundī veniet Chrīstus iūdex.
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The preposition sub is fundamental for English speakers learning Latin, as it corresponds to several English prepositions depending on context.
Basic Meanings: -
"under" (physical position) -
"beneath" (location) -
"close to" or "around" (temporal proximity) -
"at the time of" (temporal) -
"under the authority of" (metaphorical)
Case Usage: -
With Ablative (most common in ecclesiastical texts): -
Indicates position: sub caelō = "under the sky" -
Temporal location: sub nocte = "during the night" -
Circumstance: sub condiciōne = "under the condition" -
With Accusative (indicates motion): -
Movement to under: sub tēctum īre = "to go under the roof" -
Less common in ecclesiastical Latin
Common Ecclesiastical Phrases: -
sub Pontiō Pilātō = "under Pontius Pilate" (Creed) -
sub speciē = "under the appearance of" (Eucharistic theology) -
sub poenā = "under penalty of"
Word Order: Unlike English, Latin allows flexible positioning: -
Initial position for emphasis: Sub cruce stābat -
Between words: Chrīstus nātus est sub Augustō -
Final position: mortis Chrīstī hōrā (with sub pedibus earlier)
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For English speakers, understanding sub in ecclesiastical Latin requires appreciating its theological and liturgical significance:
Biblical Usage: The preposition appears in crucial scriptural passages: -
sub lēge = "under the law" (Pauline theology contrasting law and grace) -
sub peccātō = "under sin" (humanity's condition before redemption)
Liturgical Context: -
In the Creed: sub Pontiō Pilātō passus = "suffered under Pontius Pilate" -
Eucharistic theology: sub utrāque speciē = "under both kinds" (bread and wine) -
Canon Law: sub poenā excommunicātiōnis = "under penalty of excommunication"
Hierarchical Relationships: Medieval Christianity emphasized spiritual hierarchy: -
sub abbāte = "under the abbot" (monastic obedience) -
sub Rōmānō Pontifice = "under the Roman Pontiff"
Temporal Markers: Church Latin often uses sub for sacred time: -
sub dīlūculō = "at dawn" (time of Lauds) -
sub vesperum = "toward evening" (Vespers)
Modern Usage: Contemporary Church documents continue these patterns: -
sub ducē = "under the leadership of" -
sub aspectū = "under the aspect of"
This preposition helps English speakers understand how Latin expresses relationships of authority, position, and time that are central to Christian theology and practice.
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From the Stabat Mater (13th century), attributed to Jacopone da Todi:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Stābat stood māter mother dolōrōsa sorrowful iūxtā beside crucem cross lacrimōsa tearful, dum while pendēbat was hanging fīlius son. Cūius whose animam soul gementem groaning, contristātam saddened et and dolēntem grieving pertransīvit pierced through gladius sword. Ō O quam how trīstis sad et and afflīcta afflicted fuit was illa that benedīcta blessed māter mother Ūnigenitī of the Only-begotten!
Stābat māter dolōrōsa iūxtā crucem lacrimōsa, dum pendēbat fīlius. Cūius animam gementem, contristātam et dolēntem pertransīvit gladius. Ō quam trīstis et afflīcta fuit illa benedīcta māter Ūnigenitī!
The sorrowful mother stood weeping beside the cross while her son was hanging. Through her groaning soul, saddened and grieving, a sword pierced. O how sad and afflicted was that blessed mother of the Only-begotten!
Stābat māter dolōrōsa iūxtā crucem lacrimōsa, dum pendēbat fīlius. Cūius animam gementem, contristātam et dolēntem pertransīvit gladius. Ō quam trīstis et afflīcta fuit illa benedīcta māter Ūnigenitī!
This passage, while not containing sub directly, relates thematically to example 118.5 (Sub cruce stābat Māter dolōrōsa). Key grammatical features for English speakers:
Verb Forms: -
stābat = imperfect "was standing/stood" -
pendēbat = imperfect "was hanging" -
pertransīvit = perfect "pierced through" -
fuit = perfect "was"
Participial Constructions: -
dolōrōsa, lacrimōsa = adjectives from participles -
gementem, contristātam, dolēntem = present participles modifying animam
Word Order: Note the poetic arrangement placing emotional words (dolōrōsa, lacrimōsa) at line ends for rhyme and emphasis.
Medieval Latin Features: -
Rhyming couplets (-ōsa/-ōsa, -entem/-entem) -
Emotional vocabulary typical of Franciscan spirituality -
Ūnigenitī = "Only-begotten" (theological term for Christ)
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118.16 Sanctus Saint Franciscus Francis vīxit lived sub under rēgulā rule strictissimā most strict paupertātis of poverty
118.17 Sub under tūnicā tunic simplicī simple corpus body suum his mortificābat he mortified frāter brother humilis humble
118.18 Multī many discipulī disciples vēnērunt came ad to eum him sub under noctis night umbrīs shadows doctrinam teaching audiendī to hear causā for the sake
118.19 Quōdam certain diē day sub under arbore tree quercūs oak ōrāns praying vīsiōnem vision mīrābilem wonderful accēpit he received
118.20 Sub close to vītae life fīnem end stīgmata stigmata sacrāta sacred in in corpore body eius his appāruērunt appeared
118.21 Frātrēs brothers minōrēs minor sub under ōbēdientiā obedience perfectā perfect vīvere to live dēbēbant had to
118.22 Avēs birds caelī of heaven convēnērunt gathered sub under praedicātiōne preaching eius his verbum word Deī of God audiendī to hear grātiā for the sake
118.23 Sub under pāce peace Chrīstī of Christ lupus wolf ferōx fierce mānsuētus tame factus made est was
118.24 Pauperēs poor et and īnfirmī sick sub under cūrā care eius his cōnsōlātiōnem consolation inveniēbant found
118.25 Sub under caelō sky apertō open dormīre to sleep solēbat he was accustomed nūllam no domum house propriam own habēns having
118.26 Ecclesiae churches ruīnōsae ruined sub under manibus hands eius his piīs pious restaurātae restored sunt were
118.27 Sub at prīmā first lūce light surgēns rising laudēs praises mātuīnās morning cantābat he sang cum with frātribus brothers
118.28 Rēgēs kings et and prīncipēs princes veniēbant came sub under pedēs feet eius his benedīctiōnem blessing petentēs seeking
118.29 Sub under simplicītāte simplicity verbōrum of words profundissima most profound mystēria mysteries revēlābat he revealed
118.30 Tandem finally sub close to sōlis sun occāsum setting spīritum spirit suum his Deō to God trādidit he handed over cantāns singing
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118.16 Sanctus Franciscus vīxit sub rēgulā strictissimā paupertātis. Saint Francis lived under the strictest rule of poverty.
118.17 Sub tūnicā simplicī corpus suum mortificābat frāter humilis. Under a simple tunic the humble brother mortified his body.
118.18 Multī discipulī vēnērunt ad eum sub noctis umbrīs doctrinam audiendī causā. Many disciples came to him under cover of night to hear his teaching.
118.19 Quōdam diē sub arbore quercūs ōrāns vīsiōnem mīrābilem accēpit. One day while praying under an oak tree he received a wonderful vision.
118.20 Sub vītae fīnem stīgmata sacrāta in corpore eius appāruērunt. Near the end of his life the sacred stigmata appeared on his body.
118.21 Frātrēs minōrēs sub ōbēdientiā perfectā vīvere dēbēbant. The Friars Minor had to live under perfect obedience.
118.22 Avēs caelī convēnērunt sub praedicātiōne eius verbum Deī audiendī grātiā. The birds of heaven gathered during his preaching to hear the word of God.
118.23 Sub pāce Chrīstī lupus ferōx mānsuētus factus est. Under the peace of Christ the fierce wolf became tame.
118.24 Pauperēs et īnfirmī sub cūrā eius cōnsōlātiōnem inveniēbant. The poor and sick found consolation under his care.
118.25 Sub caelō apertō dormīre solēbat nūllam domum propriam habēns. He used to sleep under the open sky, having no house of his own.
118.26 Ecclesiae ruīnōsae sub manibus eius piīs restaurātae sunt. Ruined churches were restored under his pious hands.
118.27 Sub prīmā lūce surgēns laudēs mātuīnās cantābat cum frātribus. Rising at first light he would sing morning praises with the brothers.
118.28 Rēgēs et prīncipēs veniēbant sub pedēs eius benedīctiōnem petentēs. Kings and princes came to his feet seeking a blessing.
118.29 Sub simplicītāte verbōrum profundissima mystēria revēlābat. Beneath the simplicity of his words he revealed the deepest mysteries.
118.30 Tandem sub sōlis occāsum spīritum suum Deō trādidit cantāns. Finally at sunset he gave up his spirit to God while singing.
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118.16 Sanctus Franciscus vīxit sub rēgulā strictissimā paupertātis.
118.17 Sub tūnicā simplicī corpus suum mortificābat frāter humilis.
118.18 Multī discipulī vēnērunt ad eum sub noctis umbrīs doctrinam audiendī causā.
118.19 Quōdam diē sub arbore quercūs ōrāns vīsiōnem mīrābilem accēpit.
118.20 Sub vītae fīnem stīgmata sacrāta in corpore eius appāruērunt.
118.21 Frātrēs minōrēs sub ōbēdientiā perfectā vīvere dēbēbant.
118.22 Avēs caelī convēnērunt sub praedicātiōne eius verbum Deī audiendī grātiā.
118.23 Sub pāce Chrīstī lupus ferōx mānsuētus factus est.
118.24 Pauperēs et īnfirmī sub cūrā eius cōnsōlātiōnem inveniēbant.
118.25 Sub caelō apertō dormīre solēbat nūllam domum propriam habēns.
118.26 Ecclesiae ruīnōsae sub manibus eius piīs restaurātae sunt.
118.27 Sub prīmā lūce surgēns laudēs mātuīnās cantābat cum frātribus.
118.28 Rēgēs et prīncipēs veniēbant sub pedēs eius benedīctiōnem petentēs.
118.29 Sub simplicītāte verbōrum profundissima mystēria revēlābat.
118.30 Tandem sub sōlis occāsum spīritum suum Deō trādidit cantāns.
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Special Uses of sub in Saints' Lives: -
Spiritual Authority: -
sub rēgulā = "under the rule" (monastic obedience) -
sub ōbēdientiā = "under obedience" -
Shows submission to divine will through earthly structures -
Temporal Markers in Sacred Biography: -
sub vītae fīnem = "near life's end" -
sub prīmā lūce = "at first light" -
sub sōlis occāsum = "at sunset" -
These mark significant moments in the saint's spiritual journey -
Physical Humility: -
sub caelō apertō = "under the open sky" -
sub tūnicā simplicī = "under a simple tunic" -
Emphasizes poverty and detachment from worldly comforts -
Metaphorical Uses: -
sub simplicītāte verbōrum = "beneath simple words" -
sub pāce Chrīstī = "under Christ's peace" -
Shows hidden spiritual realities
Grammatical Patterns in Hagiography: -
Imperfect for habitual actions: solēbat (he used to), cantābat (he would sing) -
Perfect for miraculous events: appāruērunt (appeared), factus est (became) -
Participial phrases: ōrāns (praying), surgēns (rising), cantāns (singing) -
Gerund/gerundive constructions: audiendī causā (for the sake of hearing)
These patterns help English speakers recognize the conventional style of Latin saints' lives, where sub frequently indicates both physical and spiritual relationships.
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