← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
128.1 Christus Christ prō for nōbīs us mortuus died est is/has
128.2 Ōrāmus we pray prō for pāce peace mundī of the world
128.3 Sacerdōs the priest sacrificium sacrifice offert offers prō for peccātīs sins populī of the people
128.4 Prō for salūte salvation animārum of souls monastērium monastery aedificātum built est was
128.5 Māter mother Ecclēsia Church semper always prō for fīliīs children suīs her ōrat prays
128.6 Apostolī apostles vītam life suam their dedērunt gave prō for Evangeliō Gospel
128.7 Prō in proportion to operibus works nostrīs our mercēdem reward accipimus we receive
128.8 Monachī monks prō on behalf of rēge king continuē continually intercēdunt intercede
128.9 Episcopus bishop benedīcit blesses populum people prō on behalf of Deō God
128.10 Prō for parvulīs little ones baptismum baptism petunt they seek parentēs parents
128.11 Sanctī saints prō for conversiōne conversion peccātōrum of sinners labōrāvērunt labored
128.12 Fidēlēs faithful eleēmosynās alms dant give prō for animābus souls dēfūnctōrum of the departed
128.13 Prō in accordance with voluntāte will Deī of God omnia all things facienda to be done sunt are
128.14 Mārtyrēs martyrs sanguinem blood prō for fide faith fūdērunt shed
128.15 Pastor shepherd bonus good animam life suam his dat gives prō for ovibus sheep
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128.1 Christus prō nōbīs mortuus est. Christ died for us.
128.2 Prō pāce mundī ōrāmus. We pray for the peace of the world.
128.3 Sacerdōs prō peccātīs populī sacrificium offert. The priest offers sacrifice for the sins of the people.
128.4 Prō salūte animārum monastērium aedificātum est. The monastery was built for the salvation of souls.
128.5 Māter Ecclēsia semper prō fīliīs suīs ōrat. Mother Church always prays for her children.
128.6 Apostolī prō Evangeliō vītam suam dedērunt. The apostles gave their life for the Gospel.
128.7 Prō operibus nostrīs mercēdem accipimus. We receive reward in proportion to our works.
128.8 Monachī prō rēge continuē intercēdunt. The monks continually intercede on behalf of the king.
128.9 Episcopus prō Deō populum benedīcit. The bishop blesses the people on behalf of God.
128.10 Parentēs prō parvulīs baptismum petunt. Parents seek baptism for their little ones.
128.11 Sanctī prō conversiōne peccātōrum labōrāvērunt. The saints labored for the conversion of sinners.
128.12 Fidēlēs prō animābus dēfūnctōrum eleēmosynās dant. The faithful give alms for the souls of the departed.
128.13 Omnia prō voluntāte Deī facienda sunt. All things must be done in accordance with God's will.
128.14 Mārtyrēs prō fide sanguinem fūdērunt. The martyrs shed their blood for the faith.
128.15 Pastor bonus prō ovibus animam suam dat. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
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128.1 Christus prō nōbīs mortuus est.
128.2 Prō pāce mundī ōrāmus.
128.3 Sacerdōs prō peccātīs populī sacrificium offert.
128.4 Prō salūte animārum monastērium aedificātum est.
128.5 Māter Ecclēsia semper prō fīliīs suīs ōrat.
128.6 Apostolī prō Evangeliō vītam suam dedērunt.
128.7 Prō operibus nostrīs mercēdem accipimus.
128.8 Monachī prō rēge continuē intercēdunt.
128.9 Episcopus prō Deō populum benedīcit.
128.10 Parentēs prō parvulīs baptismum petunt.
128.11 Sanctī prō conversiōne peccātōrum labōrāvērunt.
128.12 Fidēlēs prō animābus dēfūnctōrum eleēmosynās dant.
128.13 Omnia prō voluntāte Deī facienda sunt.
128.14 Mārtyrēs prō fide sanguinem fūdērunt.
128.15 Pastor bonus prō ovibus animam suam dat.
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For English speakers learning Latin, understanding "prō" requires attention to several key points: -
Case Requirement: "prō" always takes the ablative case in Latin. This is different from many English prepositions which don't change the form of their objects. -
Three Main Meanings: -
"for, for the sake of" (most common in Christian texts): prō nōbīs = "for us" -
"on behalf of, in place of": prō Deō = "on behalf of God" -
"in proportion to, according to": prō operibus = "according to works" -
Word Order: Unlike English where prepositions must come before their objects, Latin allows more flexibility: -
Normal: prō nōbīs (for us) -
Emphatic: nōbīs prō (with emphasis on "us") -
Common Christian Phrases: -
prō nōbīs ōrāre = "to pray for us" -
prō mundī vītā = "for the life of the world" -
prō peccātīs nostrīs = "for our sins" -
Ablative Endings to Remember: -
Singular: -ā (1st), -ō (2nd/4th), -e (3rd/5th) -
Plural: -īs (1st/2nd), -ibus (3rd/4th/5th)
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For English speakers studying ecclesiastical Latin, "prō" carries deep theological significance: -
Sacrificial Language: The concept of doing something "prō" (for/on behalf of) others is central to Christian theology, especially regarding Christ's sacrifice "prō nōbīs" (for us). -
Intercessory Prayer: Medieval Christians believed strongly in praying "prō" others - for the living, the dead, rulers, and enemies. Monasteries were often founded specifically to pray "prō" benefactors. -
Proportional Justice: The idea of receiving "prō operibus" (according to works) reflects medieval understanding of divine justice, though always tempered by grace. -
Liturgical Usage: "Prō" appears frequently in the Mass: -
"Ōrāte, frātrēs... prō mē" (Pray, brothers... for me) -
"Hoc est corpus meum quod prō vōbīs datur" (This is my body which is given for you) -
Medieval Legal Context: Documents often specified actions done "prō animā" (for the soul) of someone, establishing spiritual benefits for charitable acts.
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From the Vulgate Bible, John 10:11-15:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Ego I sum am pastor shepherd bonus good. Pastor shepherd bonus good animam life suam his dat gives prō for ovibus sheep. Mercēnārius hireling autem however et and quī who nōn not est is pastor shepherd, cūius whose nōn not sunt are ovēs sheep propriae own, videt sees lupum wolf venientem coming et and dīmittit abandons ovēs sheep et and fugit flees.
Ego sum pastor bonus. Pastor bonus animam suam dat prō ovibus. Mercēnārius autem et quī nōn est pastor, cūius nōn sunt ovēs propriae, videt lupum venientem et dīmittit ovēs et fugit.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. But the hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and runs away.
Ego sum pastor bonus. Pastor bonus animam suam dat prō ovibus. Mercēnārius autem et quī nōn est pastor, cūius nōn sunt ovēs propriae, videt lupum venientem et dīmittit ovēs et fugit.
This passage beautifully illustrates "prō" with the ablative: -
"prō ovibus" = "for the sheep" (ablative plural of ovis, -is) -
Note the word order: "animam suam dat prō ovibus" places the direct object first for emphasis -
"cūius" (whose) is genitive singular of the relative pronoun -
"venientem" is a present participle (coming) modifying "lupum" -
The contrast between "pastor bonus" and "mercēnārius" drives the theological point
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128.16 A bishop sends greetings and blessings to his beloved children for the feast of Easter.
128.17 We give thanks to God for the gift of resurrection which he gave to us.
128.18 Pray, most dear brothers, that I may be a worthy shepherd for you.
128.19 We impart apostolic blessing on behalf of all the faithful of our diocese. 128.16 Episcopus bishop dīlēctīs to beloved fīliīs children salūtem greeting et and benedīctiōnem blessing mittit sends prō for fēstō feast Paschae of Easter
128.17 Grātiās thanks agimus we give Deō to God prō for dōnō gift resurrēctiōnis of resurrection quod which nōbīs to us dedit he gave
128.18 Ōrāte pray frātrēs brothers carissimī most dear prō for mē me ut that dignus worthy pastor shepherd vōbīs for you sim I may be
128.19 Prō on behalf of omnibus all fīdēlibus faithful nostrae of our dioecēsis diocese benedīctiōnem blessing apostolicam apostolic impertīmus we impart
128.20 Sacerdōtēs priests nostrī our cōtīdiē daily missam mass celebrant celebrate prō for intentiōnibus intentions vestrīs your
128.21 Prō for puerīs children et and iuvenibus youth scholās schools catholicās catholic īnstituimus we establish ut that in in fide faith crescant they may grow
128.22 Monachī monks et and monachae nuns diē by day noctūque and by night prō for Ecclēsiā Church ōrant pray
128.23 Prō in proportion to facultātibus means vestrīs your pauperibus to poor subvenīte help ut that Christum Christ in in eīs them videātis you may see
128.24 Memōrēs mindful estōte be prō for animābus souls parentum of parents vestrōrum your missās masses celebrārī to be celebrated facere to have done
128.25 Prō for pāce peace inter among gēntēs nations rosārium rosary recitāte recite cum with familiīs families vestrīs your
128.26 Dīligenter diligently prō for vocātiōnibus vocations sacerdōtālibus priestly et and religiōsīs religious ōrāre to pray dēbētis you ought
128.27 Prō according to praeceptīs precepts Ecclēsiae of Church iēiūnium fasting et and abstinentiam abstinence observāte observe
128.28 Carissimī dearest ones prō for salūte salvation animae of soul vestrae your sacrāmenta sacraments frequenter frequently suscipite receive
128.29 Prō on behalf of īnfīrmīs sick et and afflīctīs afflicted opera works misericordiae of mercy exercēte practice
128.30 Benedīcat may bless vōs you omnipotēns almighty Deus God prō in accordance with misericordiā mercy suā his īnfīnītā infinite
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128.16 Episcopus dīlēctīs fīliīs prō fēstō Paschae salūtem et benedīctiōnem mittit. The bishop sends greeting and blessing to his beloved children for the feast of Easter.
128.17 Prō dōnō resurrēctiōnis quod nōbīs dedit, Deō grātiās agimus. For the gift of resurrection which he gave us, we give thanks to God.
128.18 Ōrāte prō mē, frātrēs carissimī, ut dignus pastor vōbīs sim. Pray for me, dearest brothers, that I may be a worthy shepherd for you.
128.19 Prō omnibus fīdēlibus nostrae dioecēsis benedīctiōnem apostolicam impertīmus. On behalf of all the faithful of our diocese, we impart the apostolic blessing.
128.20 Sacerdōtēs nostrī cōtīdiē prō intentiōnibus vestrīs missam celebrant. Our priests daily celebrate mass for your intentions.
128.21 Prō puerīs et iuvenibus scholās catholicās īnstituimus ut in fide crescant. For children and youth we establish Catholic schools that they may grow in faith.
128.22 Monachī et monachae prō Ecclēsiā diē noctūque ōrant. Monks and nuns pray for the Church day and night.
128.23 Prō facultātibus vestrīs pauperibus subvenīte, ut Christum in eīs videātis. According to your means help the poor, that you may see Christ in them.
128.24 Memōrēs estōte prō animābus parentum vestrōrum missās celebrārī facere. Be mindful to have masses celebrated for the souls of your parents.
128.25 Prō pāce inter gēntēs rosārium cum familiīs vestrīs recitāte. For peace among nations, recite the rosary with your families.
128.26 Prō vocātiōnibus sacerdōtālibus et religiōsīs dīligenter ōrāre dēbētis. You ought to pray diligently for priestly and religious vocations.
128.27 Prō praeceptīs Ecclēsiae iēiūnium et abstinentiam observāte. According to the precepts of the Church, observe fasting and abstinence.
128.28 Prō salūte animae vestrae, carissimī, sacrāmenta frequenter suscipite. For the salvation of your soul, dearest ones, receive the sacraments frequently.
128.29 Prō īnfīrmīs et afflīctīs opera misericordiae exercēte. On behalf of the sick and afflicted, practice works of mercy.
128.30 Benedīcat vōs omnipotēns Deus prō īnfīnītā misericordiā suā. May almighty God bless you according to his infinite mercy.
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128.16 Episcopus dīlēctīs fīliīs prō fēstō Paschae salūtem et benedīctiōnem mittit.
128.17 Prō dōnō resurrēctiōnis quod nōbīs dedit, Deō grātiās agimus.
128.18 Ōrāte prō mē, frātrēs carissimī, ut dignus pastor vōbīs sim.
128.19 Prō omnibus fīdēlibus nostrae dioecēsis benedīctiōnem apostolicam impertīmus.
128.20 Sacerdōtēs nostrī cōtīdiē prō intentiōnibus vestrīs missam celebrant.
128.21 Prō puerīs et iuvenibus scholās catholicās īnstituimus ut in fide crescant.
128.22 Monachī et monachae prō Ecclēsiā diē noctūque ōrant.
128.23 Prō facultātibus vestrīs pauperibus subvenīte, ut Christum in eīs videātis.
128.24 Memōrēs estōte prō animābus parentum vestrōrum missās celebrārī facere.
128.25 Prō pāce inter gēntēs rosārium cum familiīs vestrīs recitāte.
128.26 Prō vocātiōnibus sacerdōtālibus et religiōsīs dīligenter ōrāre dēbētis.
128.27 Prō praeceptīs Ecclēsiae iēiūnium et abstinentiam observāte.
128.28 Prō salūte animae vestrae, carissimī, sacrāmenta frequenter suscipite.
128.29 Prō īnfīrmīs et afflīctīs opera misericordiae exercēte.
128.30 Benedīcat vōs omnipotēns Deus prō īnfīnītā misericordiā suā.
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In pastoral letters, "prō" takes on special significance and appears in distinctive patterns: -
Opening Formulas: Episcopal letters often begin with "prō" phrases indicating the occasion: -
"prō fēstō Paschae" = "for the feast of Easter" -
Shows ablative with special days/seasons -
Intercessory Language: Bishops frequently request prayers "prō" themselves: -
"Ōrāte prō mē" = "Pray for me" -
Note the imperative mood (ōrāte) with prō + ablative -
Pastoral Directives: Instructions often use "prō" to indicate purpose or beneficiary: -
"prō puerīs...scholās īnstituimus" = "for children...we establish schools" -
Shows how purpose is expressed with prō -
Proportional Actions: "Prō facultātibus vestrīs" = "according to your means" -
Demonstrates the proportional meaning of prō -
Common in moral instructions about charity -
Liturgical References: -
"prō intentiōnibus vestrīs" = "for your intentions" -
"prō animābus parentum" = "for the souls of parents" -
Shows specialized religious uses -
Closing Benedictions: Letters often end with blessings using prō: -
"prō misericordiā suā" = "according to his mercy" -
Combines with subjunctive for wishes (benedīcat)
The epistolary genre shows how "prō" functions in formal religious communication, maintaining hierarchical relationships while expressing pastoral care.
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