← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
121.1 Rēgnum kingdom Deī of God appropinquāvit has drawn near
121.2 Christus Christ rēgnum kingdom aeternum eternal possidet possesses
121.3 In in rēgnō kingdom caelōrum of heavens pāx peace est is
121.4 Sanctī saints rēgnī of kingdom hērēdēs heirs fīunt become
121.5 Prō for rēgnō kingdom suō his rēx king pugnāvit fought
121.6 Deus God rēgnum kingdom iūstīs to just ones dat gives
121.7 Apostolī apostles dē about rēgnō kingdom praedicant preach
121.8 Rēgnō by kingdom mundī of world diabolus devil dēcipit deceives
121.9 Fīliī sons rēgnī of kingdom lūcem light vident see
121.10 Pauper poor man in into rēgnum kingdom intrābit will enter
121.11 Rēgna kingdoms terrēna earthly cadunt fall
121.12 Prophētae prophets rēgnum kingdom ventūrum coming nūntiāvērunt announced
121.13 Ad to rēgnum kingdom Chrīstī of Christ omnēs all vocāmur we are called
121.14 Rēgnōrum of kingdoms glōria glory trānsit passes
121.15 Beātī blessed ones rēgnum kingdom perpetuum perpetual accipient will receive
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121.1 Rēgnum Deī appropinquāvit. The kingdom of God has drawn near.
121.2 Christus rēgnum aeternum possidet. Christ possesses an eternal kingdom.
121.3 In rēgnō caelōrum pāx est. In the kingdom of heaven there is peace.
121.4 Sanctī rēgnī hērēdēs fīunt. The saints become heirs of the kingdom.
121.5 Prō rēgnō suō rēx pugnāvit. The king fought for his kingdom.
121.6 Deus rēgnum iūstīs dat. God gives the kingdom to the just.
121.7 Apostolī dē rēgnō praedicant. The apostles preach about the kingdom.
121.8 Rēgnō mundī diabolus dēcipit. The devil deceives by the kingdom of the world.
121.9 Fīliī rēgnī lūcem vident. The sons of the kingdom see the light.
121.10 Pauper in rēgnum intrābit. The poor man will enter into the kingdom.
121.11 Rēgna terrēna cadunt. Earthly kingdoms fall.
121.12 Prophētae rēgnum ventūrum nūntiāvērunt. The prophets announced the coming kingdom.
121.13 Ad rēgnum Chrīstī omnēs vocāmur. We are all called to the kingdom of Christ.
121.14 Rēgnōrum glōria trānsit. The glory of kingdoms passes away.
121.15 Beātī rēgnum perpetuum accipient. The blessed will receive an everlasting kingdom.
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121.1 Rēgnum Deī appropinquāvit.
121.2 Christus rēgnum aeternum possidet.
121.3 In rēgnō caelōrum pāx est.
121.4 Sanctī rēgnī hērēdēs fīunt.
121.5 Prō rēgnō suō rēx pugnāvit.
121.6 Deus rēgnum iūstīs dat.
121.7 Apostolī dē rēgnō praedicant.
121.8 Rēgnō mundī diabolus dēcipit.
121.9 Fīliī rēgnī lūcem vident.
121.10 Pauper in rēgnum intrābit.
121.11 Rēgna terrēna cadunt.
121.12 Prophētae rēgnum ventūrum nūntiāvērunt.
121.13 Ad rēgnum Chrīstī omnēs vocāmur.
121.14 Rēgnōrum glōria trānsit.
121.15 Beātī rēgnum perpetuum accipient.
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For English speakers learning Ecclesiastical Latin, "rēgnum" presents several important grammatical features: -
Declension: Rēgnum belongs to the second declension neuter nouns: -
Nominative/Accusative: rēgnum (singular), rēgna (plural) -
Genitive: rēgnī (singular), rēgnōrum (plural) -
Dative/Ablative: rēgnō (singular), rēgnīs (plural) -
Gender: As a neuter noun, rēgnum takes neuter adjective forms (e.g., "rēgnum aeternum") -
Common Phrases: -
"Rēgnum Deī" (Kingdom of God) - genitive shows possession -
"Rēgnum caelōrum" (Kingdom of Heaven) - uses plural "caelōrum" (heavens) -
"In rēgnō" (in the kingdom) - ablative with "in" for location -
Theological Usage: In Christian Latin, rēgnum often appears with spiritual modifiers: -
aeternum (eternal) -
perpetuum (everlasting) -
caeleste (heavenly) -
Case Usage Examples: -
Subject: "Rēgnum appropinquāvit" (nominative) -
Direct Object: "Deus rēgnum dat" (accusative) -
Possession: "fīliī rēgnī" (genitive) -
Means: "rēgnō mundī dēcipit" (ablative of means)
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For English speakers, understanding "rēgnum" in Ecclesiastical Latin requires grasping its theological significance: -
Biblical Context: The concept of God's kingdom (rēgnum Deī) is central to Jesus's preaching in the Gospels. Unlike earthly kingdoms, this spiritual realm transcends physical boundaries. -
Medieval Understanding: In medieval Christianity, the idea of rēgnum encompassed both: -
Temporal kingdoms ruled by Christian monarchs -
The eternal kingdom of God awaiting the faithful -
Liturgical Usage: The word appears frequently in: -
The Lord's Prayer: "adveniat rēgnum tuum" (thy kingdom come) -
Hymns and antiphons -
Scripture readings -
Contrast with Classical Usage: While Classical Latin used rēgnum for earthly rulership, Christian Latin emphasized: -
Spiritual sovereignty -
Eschatological fulfillment -
Divine rather than human authority -
Modern Relevance: English derivatives include: -
"reign" (from rēgnāre) -
"regal" (from rēgālis) -
"regent" (from regēns)
Understanding rēgnum helps English speakers appreciate how Latin shaped Christian theological vocabulary that continues to influence Western thought.
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From the Vulgate, Matthew 4:17:
"Exinde coepit Iēsus praedicāre et dīcere: Paenitentiam agite; appropinquāvit enim rēgnum caelōrum."
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Exinde from then coepit began Iēsus Jesus praedicāre to preach et and dīcere to say : : Paenitentiam repentance agite do ; ; appropinquāvit has drawn near enim for rēgnum kingdom caelōrum of heavens
Exinde coepit Iēsus praedicāre et dīcere: Paenitentiam agite; appropinquāvit enim rēgnum caelōrum.
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near."
Exinde coepit Iēsus praedicāre et dīcere: Paenitentiam agite; appropinquāvit enim rēgnum caelōrum.
This pivotal verse introduces Jesus's public ministry. Key grammatical features for English speakers: -
coepit + infinitive: "began to preach" - common construction for starting an action -
Paenitentiam agite: imperative plural "do penance/repent" - direct command -
enim: postpositive particle meaning "for" - never first in its clause -
rēgnum caelōrum: "kingdom of heavens" - Hebrew idiom using plural "heavens" -
appropinquāvit: perfect tense suggesting completed approach - the kingdom is already near
The word order emphasizes the nearness of the kingdom, placing the verb before its subject for dramatic effect.
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121.16 Sanctus saint Franciscus Francis rēgnum kingdom mundī of world contempsit despised ut so that rēgnum kingdom caeleste heavenly inveniret he might find
121.17 Beāta blessed Clāra Clare in in rēgnō kingdom paupertātis of poverty gaudēbat rejoiced
121.18 Martyrēs martyrs prō for rēgnō kingdom Chrīstī of Christ sanguinem blood suum their effūdērunt poured out
121.19 Rēgnum kingdom terrēnum earthly relīquit left sanctus saint Benedictus Benedict et and in in montem mountain sēcēssit withdrew
121.20 Sancta saint Catharīna Catherine rēgī to king dīxit said : : "Rēgnum kingdom tuum your peritūrum about to perish est is , , sed but rēgnum kingdom Deī of God manet remains in in aeternum eternity "
121.21 Apostolus apostle Paulus Paul dē about rēgnō kingdom Deī of God gentibus to nations praedicāvit preached
121.22 In into rēgnum kingdom glōriae of glory virgō virgin Maria Mary assumpta assumed est was
121.23 Sanctus saint Augustīnus Augustine scrīpsit wrote : : "Duo two rēgna kingdoms sunt are , , rēgnum kingdom Deī of God et and rēgnum kingdom diaboli of devil "
121.24 Confessor confessor Martīnus Martin rēgnī of kingdom caelestis heavenly cīvis citizen factus made est was
121.25 Rēgnō by kingdom grātiae of grace sanctī saints omnēs all vīvunt live
121.26 Beātus blessed Iōsēph Joseph rēgnum kingdom iūstitiae of justice in in corde heart suō his portāvit carried
121.27 Sancta saint Therēsia Teresa parvum little iter way ad to rēgnum kingdom docuit taught
121.28 Rēgna kingdoms huius of this mundī world vīdit saw sanctus saint Antōnius Anthony sed but ea them prō for nihilō nothing habuit held
121.29 Angelī angels rēgnī of kingdom ministri ministers sanctōs saints adiuvant help
121.30 In in rēgnō kingdom patriae of homeland caelestis heavenly omnēs all sanctī saints cum with Chrīstō Christ rēgnant reign
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121.16 Sanctus Franciscus rēgnum mundī contempsit ut rēgnum caeleste inveniret. Saint Francis despised the kingdom of the world so that he might find the heavenly kingdom.
121.17 Beāta Clāra in rēgnō paupertātis gaudēbat. Blessed Clare rejoiced in the kingdom of poverty.
121.18 Martyrēs prō rēgnō Chrīstī sanguinem suum effūdērunt. The martyrs poured out their blood for the kingdom of Christ.
121.19 Rēgnum terrēnum relīquit sanctus Benedictus et in montem sēcēssit. Saint Benedict left the earthly kingdom and withdrew to the mountain.
121.20 Sancta Catharīna rēgī dīxit: "Rēgnum tuum peritūrum est, sed rēgnum Deī manet in aeternum." Saint Catherine said to the king: "Your kingdom will perish, but the kingdom of God remains forever."
121.21 Apostolus Paulus dē rēgnō Deī gentibus praedicāvit. The Apostle Paul preached about the kingdom of God to the Gentiles.
121.22 In rēgnum glōriae virgō Maria assumpta est. The Virgin Mary was assumed into the kingdom of glory.
121.23 Sanctus Augustīnus scrīpsit: "Duo rēgna sunt, rēgnum Deī et rēgnum diaboli." Saint Augustine wrote: "There are two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil."
121.24 Confessor Martīnus rēgnī caelestis cīvis factus est. Martin the Confessor became a citizen of the heavenly kingdom.
121.25 Rēgnō grātiae sanctī omnēs vīvunt. All the saints live by the kingdom of grace.
121.26 Beātus Iōsēph rēgnum iūstitiae in corde suō portāvit. Blessed Joseph carried the kingdom of justice in his heart.
121.27 Sancta Therēsia parvum iter ad rēgnum docuit. Saint Thérèse taught the little way to the kingdom.
121.28 Rēgna huius mundī vīdit sanctus Antōnius sed ea prō nihilō habuit. Saint Anthony saw the kingdoms of this world but counted them as nothing.
121.29 Angelī rēgnī ministri sanctōs adiuvant. Angels, ministers of the kingdom, help the saints.
121.30 In rēgnō patriae caelestis omnēs sanctī cum Chrīstō rēgnant. In the kingdom of the heavenly homeland all the saints reign with Christ.
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121.16 Sanctus Franciscus rēgnum mundī contempsit ut rēgnum caeleste inveniret.
121.17 Beāta Clāra in rēgnō paupertātis gaudēbat.
121.18 Martyrēs prō rēgnō Chrīstī sanguinem suum effūdērunt.
121.19 Rēgnum terrēnum relīquit sanctus Benedictus et in montem sēcēssit.
121.20 Sancta Catharīna rēgī dīxit: "Rēgnum tuum peritūrum est, sed rēgnum Deī manet in aeternum."
121.21 Apostolus Paulus dē rēgnō Deī gentibus praedicāvit.
121.22 In rēgnum glōriae virgō Maria assumpta est.
121.23 Sanctus Augustīnus scrīpsit: "Duo rēgna sunt, rēgnum Deī et rēgnum diaboli."
121.24 Confessor Martīnus rēgnī caelestis cīvis factus est.
121.25 Rēgnō grātiae sanctī omnēs vīvunt.
121.26 Beātus Iōsēph rēgnum iūstitiae in corde suō portāvit.
121.27 Sancta Therēsia parvum iter ad rēgnum docuit.
121.28 Rēgna huius mundī vīdit sanctus Antōnius sed ea prō nihilō habuit.
121.29 Angelī rēgnī ministri sanctōs adiuvant.
121.30 In rēgnō patriae caelestis omnēs sanctī cum Chrīstō rēgnant.
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When reading saints' lives in Latin, English speakers should note these grammatical patterns: -
Titles and Epithets: -
"Sanctus/Sancta" (Saint) - agrees in gender with the name -
"Beātus/Beāta" (Blessed) - for those beatified -
"Apostolus," "Confessor," "Virgō," "Martyr" - titles indicating type of saint -
Common Hagiographic Verbs: -
contempsit (despised) - perfect tense for completed rejection of worldly things -
relīquit (left/abandoned) - showing renunciation -
praedicāvit (preached) - missionary activity -
effūdērunt (poured out) - often with "sanguinem" for martyrdom -
Purpose Clauses: -
"ut rēgnum caeleste inveniret" - subjunctive after "ut" (so that) -
Shows the spiritual goal of the saint's actions -
Ablative Uses: -
Ablative of place: "in rēgnō paupertātis" (in the kingdom of poverty) -
Ablative of means: "rēgnō grātiae" (by the kingdom of grace) -
Ablative of cause: "prō rēgnō Chrīstī" (for the kingdom of Christ) -
Direct Speech: Saints' words often quoted directly: -
Introduced by "dīxit:" (said:) -
Maintains dramatic immediacy of the saint's witness -
Paradoxical Language: Hagiography often contrasts: -
rēgnum mundī vs. rēgnum caeleste -
Earthly loss for heavenly gain -
Present suffering for future glory
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