← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
This important conjunction appears frequently in Christian Latin texts, marking transitions and contrasts in theological arguments and scriptural narratives.
123.1 Deus God autem however omnipotēns all-powerful est is
123.2 Nōs we autem but peccātōrēs sinners sumus are
123.3 Vēritās truth autem moreover līberābit will free vōs you
123.4 Christus Christ autem however mortūus dead est is prō for nōbīs us
123.5 Hominēs men autem but īgnōrant do not know viam the way Dominī of the Lord
123.6 Fīlius the Son autem moreover vēnit came ut so that salvāret he might save mundūm the world
123.7 Apostolī the apostles autem however praedicāvērunt preached Ēvangelium the Gospel
123.8 Vōs you autem but estis are corpus the body Christī of Christ
123.9 Spīritus the Spirit autem moreover vīvificat gives life
123.10 Mundus the world autem however nōn not cognōvit knew eum him
123.11 Mors death autem but iam now nōn not dominābitur will rule
123.12 Fīdēlēs the faithful autem moreover crēdunt believe in in Deūm God
123.13 Diabolus the devil autem however temptat tempts hominēs men
123.14 Ecclēsia the Church autem but ōrat prays semper always
123.15 Rēgnum the kingdom caelōrum of heaven autem moreover appropinquat approaches
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123.1 Deus autem omnipotēns est. God, however, is all-powerful.
123.2 Nōs autem peccātōrēs sumus. But we are sinners.
123.3 Vēritās autem līberābit vōs. Moreover, the truth will set you free.
123.4 Christus autem prō nōbīs mortūus est. Christ, however, died for us.
123.5 Hominēs autem viam Dominī īgnōrant. But men do not know the way of the Lord.
123.6 Fīlius autem vēnit ut mundūm salvāret. Moreover, the Son came to save the world.
123.7 Apostolī autem Ēvangelium praedicāvērunt. The apostles, however, preached the Gospel.
123.8 Vōs autem estis corpus Christī. But you are the body of Christ.
123.9 Spīritus autem vīvificat. Moreover, the Spirit gives life.
123.10 Mundus autem eum nōn cognōvit. However, the world did not know him.
123.11 Mors autem iam nōn dominābitur. But death shall no longer have dominion.
123.12 Fīdēlēs autem in Deūm crēdunt. Moreover, the faithful believe in God.
123.13 Diabolus autem hominēs temptat. The devil, however, tempts men.
123.14 Ecclēsia autem semper ōrat. But the Church always prays.
123.15 Rēgnum autem caelōrum appropinquat. Moreover, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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123.1 Deus autem omnipotēns est.
123.2 Nōs autem peccātōrēs sumus.
123.3 Vēritās autem līberābit vōs.
123.4 Christus autem prō nōbīs mortūus est.
123.5 Hominēs autem viam Dominī īgnōrant.
123.6 Fīlius autem vēnit ut mundūm salvāret.
123.7 Apostolī autem Ēvangelium praedicāvērunt.
123.8 Vōs autem estis corpus Christī.
123.9 Spīritus autem vīvificat.
123.10 Mundus autem eum nōn cognōvit.
123.11 Mors autem iam nōn dominābitur.
123.12 Fīdēlēs autem in Deūm crēdunt.
123.13 Diabolus autem hominēs temptat.
123.14 Ecclēsia autem semper ōrat.
123.15 Rēgnum autem caelōrum appropinquat.
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For English speakers learning Ecclesiastical Latin, understanding "autem" is crucial for reading Christian texts: -
Position: Unlike English "but/however," autem NEVER begins a sentence. It typically comes second, after the first word or phrase: -
"Deus autem" = "God, however" -
"Nōs autem" = "But we" -
Function: Autem serves three main purposes: -
Contrast: Shows opposition to previous statement ("but") -
Continuation: Moves narrative forward ("moreover") -
Emphasis: Highlights new topic ("now, as for") -
Comparison with other conjunctions: -
sed = stronger contrast, can begin sentence -
vērō = truly, indeed (weaker than autem) -
at = but (sharper contrast) -
autem = softer transition, never first -
In Biblical Latin: -
Extremely common in Vulgate -
Often marks verse transitions -
Frequently untranslated in English Bibles -
Translation tips: -
Sometimes = "but" -
Sometimes = "however" -
Sometimes = "moreover" -
Sometimes best left untranslated
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For English speakers studying Christian Latin texts, understanding "autem" reveals important aspects of theological writing: -
Biblical Translation Heritage: -
Jerome's Vulgate uses "autem" extensively -
Greek δέ (de) often rendered as "autem" -
Creates flowing narrative style -
Marks epistle arguments -
Liturgical Usage: -
Common in prayers and responses -
"Tū autem, Domine" = "But thou, O Lord" -
Signals ritual transitions -
Maintains reverent tone -
Theological Discourse: -
Essential for doctrinal arguments -
Shows logical progression -
Introduces counterpoints -
Builds systematic reasoning -
Monastic Reading: -
Punctuation for oral reading -
Signals breath pauses -
Aids memorization -
Structures meditation -
Modern Relevance: -
Still used in Vatican documents -
Appears in traditional prayers -
Important for Latin hymns -
Key to understanding Church Latin
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From the Vulgate, Gospel of John 1:10-12:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
In in mundō the world erat he was et and mundus the world per through ipsum him factus made est was et and mundus the world eum him nōn not cognōvit knew. In to propria his own vēnit he came et and suī his own eum him nōn not recēpērunt received. Quotquot as many as autem however recēpērunt received eum him dedit he gave eīs to them potestātem power fīliōs sons Deī of God fierī to become hīs to those quī who crēdunt believe in in nōmine the name eius of him.
In mundō erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum nōn cognōvit. In propria vēnit, et suī eum nōn recēpērunt. Quotquot autem recēpērunt eum, dedit eīs potestātem fīliōs Deī fierī, hīs quī crēdunt in nōmine eius.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. But to as many as received him, he gave them power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.
In mundō erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum nōn cognōvit. In propria vēnit, et suī eum nōn recēpērunt. Quotquot autem recēpērunt eum, dedit eīs potestātem fīliōs Deī fierī, hīs quī crēdunt in nōmine eius.
This passage perfectly illustrates "autem" usage: -
Position: After "quotquot" (first word) -
Function: Strong contrast - those who rejected vs. those who received -
Emphasis: Pivots from rejection to acceptance -
Shows typical Johannine style: repetition ("mundus" 3x) building to climax -
"Autem" marks the theological turning point -
Note parallel structure: "nōn recēpērunt" vs. "recēpērunt"
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123.16 Confiteor I confess tibi to you Domine Lord peccāta sins mea my tū you autem however miserēre have mercy meī on me
123.17 Sanctī saints in in caelō heaven gaudent rejoice nōs we autem however in in terrā earth gemimus groan
123.18 Pater Father noster our quī who es are in in caelis heavens nōmen name tuūm your autem moreover sanctificētur let it be hallowed
123.19 Angeli angels laudant praise tē you semper always ego I autem but peccātor sinner sum am
123.20 Glōria glory Patrī to Father et and Fīliō to Son Spīritus Spirit autem moreover Sanctus Holy cum with eīs them adorātur is worshipped
123.21 Marīa Mary Māter Mother Deī of God ōra pray prō for nōbīs us nunc now et and in in hōrā hour mortis of death nostrae our tū you autem however numquam never dēseris abandon fīliōs children tuōs your
123.22 Agnus Lamb Deī of God quī who tollis take away peccāta sins mundī of world mundus world autem but tē you nōn not agnōscit recognizes
123.23 Dōmine Lord exaudī hear ōrātiōnem prayer meam my tū you autem moreover es are refugium refuge meūm my
123.24 Corpus body Christī of Christ accipimus we receive sanguis blood autem moreover eius his nōs us pūrificat purifies
123.25 Benedīc bless Domine Lord hanc this familiam family diabolus devil autem however procul far maneat let remain
123.26 Requiem rest aeternam eternal dōnā grant eīs to them Domine Lord lūx light autem moreover perpetua perpetual lūceat let shine eīs to them
123.27 Sancta holy Trinitās Trinity ūnus one Deus God miserēre have mercy nōbīs on us nōs we autem but indignī unworthy servī servants tuī your sumus are
123.28 Christe Christ audī hear nōs us Christe Christ exaudī graciously hear nōs us tū you autem however sōlus alone Sanctus Holy es are
123.29 Ōremus let us pray prō for Papa Pope nostrō our ille he autem moreover gregem flock tuūm your pāscit feeds
123.30 Benedicāmus let us bless Dominō the Lord populus people autem moreover respondet responds Deō to God grātiās thanks
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123.16 Confiteor tibi, Domine, peccāta mea; tū autem miserēre meī. I confess my sins to you, Lord; but you, have mercy on me.
123.17 Sanctī in caelō gaudent, nōs autem in terrā gemimus. The saints rejoice in heaven, but we groan on earth.
123.18 Pater noster quī es in caelis, nōmen tuūm autem sanctificētur. Our Father who art in heaven, moreover, hallowed be thy name.
123.19 Angeli tē semper laudant, ego autem peccātor sum. Angels always praise you, but I am a sinner.
123.20 Glōria Patrī et Fīliō, Spīritus autem Sanctus cum eīs adorātur. Glory to the Father and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit is worshipped with them.
123.21 Marīa, Māter Deī, ōra prō nōbīs nunc et in hōrā mortis nostrae; tū autem numquam dēseris fīliōs tuōs. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death; for you never abandon your children.
123.22 Agnus Deī quī tollis peccāta mundī, mundus autem tē nōn agnōscit. Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, yet the world does not recognize you.
123.23 Dōmine, exaudī ōrātiōnem meam, tū autem es refugium meūm. Lord, hear my prayer, for you are my refuge.
123.24 Corpus Christī accipimus, sanguis autem eius nōs pūrificat. We receive the body of Christ, and his blood purifies us.
123.25 Benedīc, Domine, hanc familiam; diabolus autem procul maneat. Bless this family, Lord; but let the devil remain far away.
123.26 Requiem aeternam dōnā eīs, Domine, et lūx perpetua autem lūceat eīs. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
123.27 Sancta Trinitās, ūnus Deus, miserēre nōbīs; nōs autem indignī servī tuī sumus. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us; for we are your unworthy servants.
123.28 Christe, audī nōs; Christe, exaudī nōs; tū autem sōlus Sanctus es. Christ, hear us; Christ, graciously hear us; for you alone are Holy.
123.29 Ōremus prō Papa nostrō; ille autem gregem tuūm pāscit. Let us pray for our Pope; for he feeds your flock.
123.30 Benedicāmus Dominō, populus autem respondet: Deō grātiās. Let us bless the Lord, and the people respond: Thanks be to God.
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123.16 Confiteor tibi, Domine, peccāta mea; tū autem miserēre meī.
123.17 Sanctī in caelō gaudent, nōs autem in terrā gemimus.
123.18 Pater noster quī es in caelis, nōmen tuūm autem sanctificētur.
123.19 Angeli tē semper laudant, ego autem peccātor sum.
123.20 Glōria Patrī et Fīliō, Spīritus autem Sanctus cum eīs adorātur.
123.21 Marīa, Māter Deī, ōra prō nōbīs nunc et in hōrā mortis nostrae; tū autem numquam dēseris fīliōs tuōs.
123.22 Agnus Deī quī tollis peccāta mundī, mundus autem tē nōn agnōscit.
123.23 Dōmine, exaudī ōrātiōnem meam, tū autem es refugium meūm.
123.24 Corpus Christī accipimus, sanguis autem eius nōs pūrificat.
123.25 Benedīc, Domine, hanc familiam; diabolus autem procul maneat.
123.26 Requiem aeternam dōnā eīs, Domine, et lūx perpetua autem lūceat eīs.
123.27 Sancta Trinitās, ūnus Deus, miserēre nōbīs; nōs autem indignī servī tuī sumus.
123.28 Christe, audī nōs; Christe, exaudī nōs; tū autem sōlus Sanctus es.
123.29 Ōremus prō Papa nostrō; ille autem gregem tuūm pāscit.
123.30 Benedicāmus Dominō, populus autem respondet: Deō grātiās.
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Understanding "autem" in liturgical prayer reveals specific patterns: -
Contrasting Human and Divine: -
"ego autem peccātor sum" (but I am a sinner) -
"tū autem sōlus Sanctus es" (but you alone are Holy) -
Creates humble stance before God -
Liturgical Formulas: -
After invocations: "Christe... tū autem" -
In petitions: "ōra prō nōbīs... tū autem" -
Following praise: "Glōria... Spīritus autem" -
Prayer Structure: -
Statement + "autem" + response -
Request + "autem" + confidence -
Confession + "autem" + hope -
Special Liturgical Uses: -
Responsorial: "populus autem respondet" -
Doxological: additions to glory formulas -
Penitential: contrasting sin and mercy -
Eucharistic: body/blood distinctions -
Translation in Prayer: -
Often softer than "but" -
Sometimes "and" or "moreover" -
Maintains reverent tone -
Links petition and praise
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