← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
Welcome to Lesson 157 of our Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course. This lesson focuses on the word dexter (”right,” as opposed to left), one of the most theologically significant spatial terms in Catholic Latin. In the Creed, we profess that Christ “sedet ad dexteram Patris”—”sits at the right hand of the Father.” In the Gospel account of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25), the saved are placed “a dextris” (on the right), while the condemned are placed “a sinistris” (on the left). The right hand represents honor, power, blessing, and salvation throughout Scripture and liturgy.
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FAQ: What does dexter mean in Ecclesiastical Latin?
Dexter (feminine dextra, neuter dextrum) is a first/second declension adjective meaning “right” in the directional sense—the opposite of left (sinister). As a substantive, dextera or dextra means “the right hand.” In Catholic theology, the right hand of God signifies the place of supreme honor and divine power, which is why the Creed states that Christ ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
Key Takeaways -
Dexter/dextra/dextrum is a 1st/2nd declension adjective meaning “right” (direction) -
The substantive dextera (f.) means “the right hand” -
“Ad dexteram Patris” is a central phrase in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds -
In Matthew 25, the righteous are placed on the right, the wicked on the left -
The right hand symbolizes honor, power, blessing, and salvation in Catholic tradition
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Ecclesiastical Latin follows the Italianate pronunciation standard established by Pope Pius X in 1903. Key features for this lesson: -
Vowels: a = /a/, e = /ɛ/, i = /i/, o = /o/, u = /u/ -
ae/oe = /ɛ/ (like “e” in “bed”) -
c before e, i, ae, oe = /tʃ/ (like “ch” in “church”) -
x = /ks/ -
Stress: On penultimate syllable if long; otherwise antepenultimate
The word dexter is pronounced /ˈdɛk.stɛr/, with stress on the first syllable.
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157.1a Manus hand-NOM dextra right-NOM.F est is fortis strong-NOM.F
157.1b Manus (ˈma.nus) hand-NOM dextra (ˈdɛk.stra) right-NOM.F est (ɛst) is fortis (ˈfor.tis) strong-NOM.F
157.2a Oculus eye-NOM dexter right-NOM.M videt sees clārius more-clearly
157.2b Oculus (ˈo.ku.lus) eye-NOM dexter (ˈdɛk.stɛr) right-NOM.M videt (ˈvi.dɛt) sees clārius (ˈkla.ri.us) more-clearly
157.3a Surge arise-IMP et and stā stand-IMP ad at latus side-ACC dextrum right-ACC.N
157.3b Surge (ˈsur.dʒɛ) arise-IMP et (ɛt) and stā (sta) stand-IMP ad (ad) at latus (ˈla.tus) side-ACC dextrum (ˈdɛk.strum) right-ACC.N
157.4a Puer boy-NOM sedet sits ad at dextram right-hand-ACC patris of-father-GEN suī his-GEN
157.4b Puer (ˈpu.ɛr) boy-NOM sedet (ˈsɛ.dɛt) sits ad (ad) at dextram (ˈdɛk.stram) right-hand-ACC patris (ˈpa.tris) of-father-GEN suī (ˈsu.i) his-GEN
157.5a Accipe receive-IMP librum book-ACC in in manū hand-ABL dextrā right-ABL.F
157.5b Accipe (ˈa.tʃi.pɛ) receive-IMP librum (ˈli.brum) book-ACC in (in) in manū (ˈma.nu) hand-ABL dextrā (ˈdɛk.stra) right-ABL.F
157.6a Christus Christ-NOM sedet sits ad at dexteram right-hand-ACC Patris of-Father-GEN
157.6b Christus (ˈkri.stus) Christ-NOM sedet (ˈsɛ.dɛt) sits ad (ad) at dexteram (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram) right-hand-ACC Patris (ˈpa.tris) of-Father-GEN
157.7a Ascendit he-ascended in into caelum heaven-ACC et and sedet sits ad at dexteram right-hand-ACC Dei of-God-GEN
157.7b Ascendit (aˈʃɛn.dit) he-ascended in (in) into caelum (ˈtʃɛ.lum) heaven-ACC et (ɛt) and sedet (ˈsɛ.dɛt) sits ad (ad) at dexteram (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram) right-hand-ACC Dei (ˈdɛ.i) of-God-GEN
157.8a Quī who-NOM sedes you-sit ad at dexteram right-hand-ACC Patris of-Father-GEN miserēre have-mercy-IMP nōbīs on-us-DAT
157.8b Quī (kwi) who-NOM sedes (ˈsɛ.dɛs) you-sit ad (ad) at dexteram (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram) right-hand-ACC Patris (ˈpa.tris) of-Father-GEN miserēre (mi.sɛˈrɛ.rɛ) have-mercy-IMP nōbīs (ˈno.bis) on-us-DAT
157.9a Dextera right-hand-NOM Dominī of-Lord-GEN fēcit made virtūtem power-ACC
157.9b Dextera (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ra) right-hand-NOM Dominī (ˈdo.mi.ni) of-Lord-GEN fēcit (ˈfɛ.tʃit) made virtūtem (virˈtu.tɛm) power-ACC
157.10a Tū you-NOM ad at dexteram right-hand-ACC Deī of-God-GEN sedēs sit in in glōriā glory-ABL Patris of-Father-GEN
157.10b Tū (tu) you-NOM ad (ad) at dexteram (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram) right-hand-ACC Deī (ˈdɛ.i) of-God-GEN sedēs (ˈsɛ.dɛs) sit in (in) in glōriā (ˈglo.ri.a) glory-ABL Patris (ˈpa.tris) of-Father-GEN
157.11a Et and statuet he-will-place ovēs sheep-ACC.PL quidem indeed ā on dextrīs right-ABL.PL suīs his-ABL.PL
157.11b Et (ɛt) and statuet (ˈsta.tu.ɛt) he-will-place ovēs (ˈo.vɛs) sheep-ACC.PL quidem (ˈkwi.dɛm) indeed ā (a) on dextrīs (ˈdɛk.stris) right-ABL.PL suīs (ˈsu.is) his-ABL.PL
157.12a Haedōs goats-ACC.PL autem however statuet he-will-place ā on sinistrīs left-ABL.PL
157.12b Haedōs (ˈɛ.dos) goats-ACC.PL autem (ˈau.tɛm) however statuet (ˈsta.tu.ɛt) he-will-place ā (a) on sinistrīs (siˈnis.tris) left-ABL.PL
157.13a Tunc then dīcet will-say rēx king-NOM hīs to-those-DAT.PL quī who-NOM.PL ā on dextrīs right-ABL.PL eius his-GEN erunt will-be
157.13b Tunc (tuŋk) then dīcet (ˈdi.tʃɛt) will-say rēx (rɛks) king-NOM hīs (is) to-those-DAT.PL quī (kwi) who-NOM.PL ā (a) on dextrīs (ˈdɛk.stris) right-ABL.PL eius (ˈɛ.jus) his-GEN erunt (ˈɛ.runt) will-be
157.14a Venīte come-IMP.PL benedictī blessed-ones-NOM.PL Patris of-Father-GEN meī my-GEN possidēte possess-IMP.PL regnum kingdom-ACC
157.14b Venīte (vɛˈni.tɛ) come-IMP.PL benedictī (bɛ.nɛˈdik.ti) blessed-ones-NOM.PL Patris (ˈpa.tris) of-Father-GEN meī (ˈmɛ.i) my-GEN possidēte (pos.siˈdɛ.tɛ) possess-IMP.PL regnum (ˈrɛɲ.um) kingdom-ACC
157.15a Dixit said Dominus Lord-NOM Dominō to-Lord-DAT meō my-DAT sedē sit-IMP ā at dextrīs right-ABL.PL meīs my-ABL.PL
157.15b Dixit (ˈdik.sit) said Dominus (ˈdo.mi.nus) Lord-NOM Dominō (ˈdo.mi.no) to-Lord-DAT meō (ˈmɛ.o) my-DAT sedē (ˈsɛ.dɛ) sit-IMP ā (a) at dextrīs (ˈdɛk.stris) right-ABL.PL meīs (ˈmɛ.is) my-ABL.PL
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157.1 Manus dextra est fortis. “The right hand is strong.”
157.2 Oculus dexter videt clārius. “The right eye sees more clearly.”
157.3 Surge et stā ad latus dextrum. “Arise and stand on the right side.”
157.4 Puer sedet ad dextram patris suī. “The boy sits at the right hand of his father.”
157.5 Accipe librum in manū dextrā. “Receive the book in your right hand.”
157.6 Christus sedet ad dexteram Patris. “Christ sits at the right hand of the Father.”
157.7 Ascendit in caelum et sedet ad dexteram Dei. “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God.”
157.8 Quī sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserēre nōbīs. “You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.”
157.9 Dextera Dominī fēcit virtūtem. “The right hand of the Lord has done mightily.”
157.10 Tū ad dexteram Deī sedēs in glōriā Patris. “You sit at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.”
157.11 Et statuet ovēs quidem ā dextrīs suīs. “And he will place the sheep on his right.”
157.12 Haedōs autem statuet ā sinistrīs. “But he will place the goats on the left.”
157.13 Tunc dīcet rēx hīs quī ā dextrīs eius erunt. “Then the King will say to those who will be on his right.”
157.14 Venīte benedictī Patris meī, possidēte regnum. “Come, blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom.”
157.15 Dixit Dominus Dominō meō: sedē ā dextrīs meīs. “The Lord said to my Lord: sit at my right hand.”
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157.1 Manus dextra est fortis.
157.2 Oculus dexter videt clārius.
157.3 Surge et stā ad latus dextrum.
157.4 Puer sedet ad dextram patris suī.
157.5 Accipe librum in manū dextrā.
157.6 Christus sedet ad dexteram Patris.
157.7 Ascendit in caelum et sedet ad dexteram Dei.
157.8 Quī sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserēre nōbīs.
157.9 Dextera Dominī fēcit virtūtem.
157.10 Tū ad dexteram Deī sedēs in glōriā Patris.
157.11 Et statuet ovēs quidem ā dextrīs suīs.
157.12 Haedōs autem statuet ā sinistrīs.
157.13 Tunc dīcet rēx hīs quī ā dextrīs eius erunt.
157.14 Venīte benedictī Patris meī, possidēte regnum.
157.15 Dixit Dominus Dominō meō: sedē ā dextrīs meīs.
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These are the grammar rules for dexter in Ecclesiastical Latin:
Dexter is a first/second declension adjective of the type that retains -ER in the nominative masculine singular but has the stem DEXTR- in all other forms. An alternative feminine form dextera exists alongside dextra, particularly when used as a substantive meaning “the right hand.”
Full Declension of Dexter, Dextra, Dextrum
Singular: Nominative (dexter, dextra, dextrum); Genitive (dextrī, dextrae, dextrī); Dative (dextrō, dextrae, dextrō); Accusative (dextrum, dextram, dextrum); Ablative (dextrō, dextrā, dextrō).
Plural: Nominative (dextrī, dextrae, dextra); Genitive (dextrōrum, dextrārum, dextrōrum); Dative (dextrīs); Accusative (dextrōs, dextrās, dextra); Ablative (dextrīs).
Substantival Use: When dextera or dextra is used as a feminine noun meaning “the right hand,” it follows first declension: dextera, dexterae, dexterae, dexteram, dexterā.
Prepositional Constructions: The phrase “ad dexteram” (+ accusative) indicates motion or position “at/to the right hand.” The phrase “ā dextrīs” (+ ablative) means “from/on the right.” In the Creed, “sedet ad dexteram Patris” uses the accusative to indicate the place where Christ resides.
Antonym: The opposite of dexter is sinister, sinistra, sinistrum (”left”), which in Christian theology became associated with misfortune and condemnation—hence the English word “sinister.”
Common Mistakes -
Confusing dextera (substantive noun, “right hand”) with dextra (adjective, “right”) -
Using accusative after ā (which requires ablative): correct is “ā dextrīs,” not “ad dextrōs” for “on the right” -
Forgetting that the stem is DEXTR- and writing incorrect forms like “dexterī” (should be “dextrī”)
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The right hand holds profound theological significance throughout Catholic tradition. In ancient cultures, the right hand was associated with strength, skill, and honor—most people being right-handed. This symbolism was absorbed into Jewish and then Christian thought.
Christological Session: The doctrine that Christ “sits at the right hand of the Father” (sessio ad dexteram Patris) is one of the most ancient Christian beliefs, appearing in the earliest creeds. This phrase, drawn from Psalm 109:1 (Vulgate numbering) and affirmed throughout the New Testament (Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, etc.), signifies Christ’s divine authority, equality with the Father, and continuing intercession for humanity.
Eschatological Symbolism: In Matthew 25:31-46, the Final Judgment is depicted with the righteous placed on the right (ā dextrīs) and the condemned on the left (ā sinistrīs). This passage powerfully shaped Christian imagination and art, appearing in countless medieval church tympana depicting the Last Judgment.
Liturgical Practice: Catholics make the Sign of the Cross with the right hand. The deacon reads the Gospel from the right side of the altar (from the perspective of Christ on the cross facing the congregation). Blessings are given with the right hand extended.
In the Gloria: The phrase “Quī sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserēre nōbīs” (”You who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us”) appears in the Gloria of the Mass, directly addressing Christ in his exalted position.
In the Te Deum: The ancient hymn includes “Tū ad dexteram Deī sedēs, in glōriā Patris” (”You sit at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father”).
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Source: Symbolum Nicaenum (Nicene Creed), Council of Constantinople, 381 AD
F-A: Interlinear Analysis
Crucifīxus crucified etiam also prō for nōbīs us-ABL sub under Pontiō Pontius-ABL Pilātō Pilate-ABL passus having-suffered et and sepultus buried est is
Crucifīxus (kru.tʃiˈfik.sus) crucified etiam (ˈɛ.ti.am) also prō (pro) for nōbīs (ˈno.bis) us-ABL sub (sub) under Pontiō (ˈpon.tsi.o) Pontius-ABL Pilātō (piˈla.to) Pilate-ABL passus (ˈpas.sus) having-suffered et (ɛt) and sepultus (sɛˈpul.tus) buried est (ɛst) is
Et and resurrēxit he-rose-again tertiā third-ABL.F diē day-ABL secundum according-to Scriptūrās Scriptures-ACC.PL
Et (ɛt) and resurrēxit (rɛ.surˈrɛk.sit) he-rose-again tertiā (ˈtɛr.tsi.a) third-ABL.F diē (ˈdi.ɛ) day-ABL secundum (sɛˈkun.dum) according-to Scriptūrās (skrip.ˈtu.ras) Scriptures-ACC.PL
Et and ascendit he-ascended in into caelum heaven-ACC sedet he-sits ad at dexteram right-hand-ACC Patris of-Father-GEN
Et (ɛt) and ascendit (aˈʃɛn.dit) he-ascended in (in) into caelum (ˈtʃɛ.lum) heaven-ACC sedet (ˈsɛ.dɛt) he-sits ad (ad) at dexteram (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram) right-hand-ACC Patris (ˈpa.tris) of-Father-GEN
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Crucifīxus etiam prō nōbīs sub Pontiō Pilātō, passus et sepultus est, et resurrēxit tertiā diē, secundum Scriptūrās, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris.
“He was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.”
F-C: Latin Only
Crucifīxus etiam prō nōbīs sub Pontiō Pilātō, passus et sepultus est, et resurrēxit tertiā diē, secundum Scriptūrās, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris.
F-D: Grammar Notes
The phrase “sedet ad dexteram Patris” uses the present tense sedet to express an ongoing, eternal state—Christ perpetually sits at the Father’s right hand. The accusative dexteram follows the preposition ad, indicating the place of session. Patris is genitive, showing whose right hand it is.
F-E: Commentary
This passage from the Nicene Creed, recited by Catholics at every Sunday Mass, affirms the exaltation of Christ after his Passion. The “session at the right hand” is not merely spatial but signifies Christ’s eternal reign, his completed work of redemption, and his divine authority. This phrase connects the Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension to the present reality of Christ’s heavenly kingship.
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A dialogue between Magister (M) and Discipulus (D) explaining the significance of “ad dexteram Patris” and the separation of sheep and goats.
157.16a Discipulus student-NOM interrogat asks magistrum teacher-ACC dē about Symbolo Creed-ABL Nicaenō Nicene-ABL
157.16b Discipulus (diˈʃi.pu.lus) student-NOM interrogat (in.tɛrˈro.gat) asks magistrum (ma.ˈdʒis.trum) teacher-ACC dē (dɛ) about Symbolo (ˈsim.bo.lo) Creed-ABL Nicaenō (niˈtʃɛ.no) Nicene-ABL
157.17a Magister teacher-NOM quid what significat signifies haec this-NOM.F vōx word-NOM ad at dexteram right-hand-ACC Patris of-Father-GEN
157.17b Magister (ma.ˈdʒis.tɛr) teacher-NOM quid (kwid) what significat (sig.ˈni.fi.kat) signifies haec (ɛk) this-NOM.F vōx (voks) word-NOM ad (ad) at dexteram (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram) right-hand-ACC Patris (ˈpa.tris) of-Father-GEN
157.18a Dextera right-hand-NOM est is locus place-NOM honōris of-honor-GEN et and potestātis of-power-GEN
157.18b Dextera (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ra) right-hand-NOM est (ɛst) is locus (ˈlo.kus) place-NOM honōris (hoˈno.ris) of-honor-GEN et (ɛt) and potestātis (po.tɛsˈta.tis) of-power-GEN
157.19a Christus Christ-NOM igitur therefore aequālis equal-NOM est is Patrī to-Father-DAT in in glōriā glory-ABL
157.19b Christus (ˈkri.stus) Christ-NOM igitur (ˈi.dʒi.tur) therefore aequālis (ɛˈkwa.lis) equal-NOM est (ɛst) is Patrī (ˈpa.tri) to-Father-DAT in (in) in glōriā (ˈglo.ri.a) glory-ABL
157.20a Sed but quōmodo how sedet sits Deus God-NOM quī who-NOM nōn not habet has corpus body-ACC
157.20b Sed (sɛd) but quōmodo (ˈkwo.mo.do) how sedet (ˈsɛ.dɛt) sits Deus (ˈdɛ.us) God-NOM quī (kwi) who-NOM nōn (non) not habet (ˈa.bɛt) has corpus (ˈkor.pus) body-ACC
157.21a Christus Christ-NOM habet has corpus body-ACC glōrificātum glorified-ACC.N post after resurrēctiōnem resurrection-ACC
157.21b Christus (ˈkri.stus) Christ-NOM habet (ˈa.bɛt) has corpus (ˈkor.pus) body-ACC glōrificātum (glo.ri.fiˈka.tum) glorified-ACC.N post (post) after resurrēctiōnem (rɛ.sur.rɛk.tsiˈo.nɛm) resurrection-ACC
157.22a Sessio session-NOM eius his-GEN significat signifies regnum kingdom-ACC aeternum eternal-ACC.N
157.22b Sessio (ˈsɛs.si.o) session-NOM eius (ˈɛ.jus) his-GEN significat (sig.ˈni.fi.kat) signifies regnum (ˈrɛɲ.um) kingdom-ACC aeternum (ɛˈtɛr.num) eternal-ACC.N
157.23a Nunc now intellegō I-understand cūr why dextera right-hand-NOM sit is-SUBJ tam so gravis weighty-NOM.F
157.23b Nunc (nuŋk) now intellegō (in.tɛlˈlɛ.go) I-understand cūr (kur) why dextera (ˈdɛk.stɛ.ra) right-hand-NOM sit (sit) is-SUBJ tam (tam) so gravis (ˈgra.vis) weighty-NOM.F
157.24a Dic tell-IMP mihi to-me-DAT dē about iūdiciō judgment-ABL novissimō last-ABL
157.24b Dic (dik) tell-IMP mihi (ˈmi.i) to-me-DAT dē (dɛ) about iūdiciō (juˈdi.tʃi.o) judgment-ABL novissimō (no.ˈvis.si.mo) last-ABL
157.25a In on diē day-ABL illā that-ABL.F Fīlius Son-NOM hominis of-man-GEN veniet will-come cum with glōriā glory-ABL
157.25b In (in) on diē (ˈdi.ɛ) day-ABL illā (ˈil.la) that-ABL.F Fīlius (ˈfi.li.us) Son-NOM hominis (ˈho.mi.nis) of-man-GEN veniet (ˈvɛ.ni.ɛt) will-come cum (kum) with glōriā (ˈglo.ri.a) glory-ABL
157.26a Congregābuntur will-be-gathered ante before eum him-ACC omnēs all-NOM.PL gentēs nations-NOM.PL
157.26b Congregābuntur (kon.grɛ.gaˈbun.tur) will-be-gathered ante (ˈan.tɛ) before eum (ˈɛ.um) him-ACC omnēs (ˈom.nɛs) all-NOM.PL gentēs (ˈdʒɛn.tɛs) nations-NOM.PL
157.27a Et and sēparābit he-will-separate eōs them-ACC sīcut just-as pāstor shepherd-NOM sēgregat separates ovēs sheep-ACC.PL ab from haedīs goats-ABL.PL
157.27b Et (ɛt) and sēparābit (sɛ.paˈra.bit) he-will-separate eōs (ˈɛ.os) them-ACC sīcut (ˈsi.kut) just-as pāstor (ˈpas.tor) shepherd-NOM sēgregat (ˈsɛ.grɛ.gat) separates ovēs (ˈo.vɛs) sheep-ACC.PL ab (ab) from haedīs (ˈɛ.dis) goats-ABL.PL
157.28a Iustī righteous-NOM.PL quī who-NOM.PL stābunt will-stand ā on dextrīs right-ABL.PL audient will-hear venīte come-IMP.PL benedictī blessed-NOM.PL
157.28b Iustī (ˈjus.ti) righteous-NOM.PL quī (kwi) who-NOM.PL stābunt (ˈsta.bunt) will-stand ā (a) on dextrīs (ˈdɛk.stris) right-ABL.PL audient (ˈau.di.ɛnt) will-hear venīte (vɛˈni.tɛ) come-IMP.PL benedictī (bɛ.nɛˈdik.ti) blessed-NOM.PL
157.29a Impii wicked-NOM.PL autem however quī who-NOM.PL stābunt will-stand ā on sinistrīs left-ABL.PL audient will-hear discēdite depart-IMP.PL malēdictī cursed-NOM.PL
157.29b Impii (imˈpi.i) wicked-NOM.PL autem (ˈau.tɛm) however quī (kwi) who-NOM.PL stābunt (ˈsta.bunt) will-stand ā (a) on sinistrīs (siˈnis.tris) left-ABL.PL audient (ˈau.di.ɛnt) will-hear discēdite (diˈʃɛ.di.tɛ) depart-IMP.PL malēdictī (ma.lɛˈdik.ti) cursed-NOM.PL
157.30a Ōrēmus let-us-pray-SUBJ ut that nōs we-NOM mereamur may-deserve-SUBJ stāre to-stand ā on dextrīs right-ABL.PL Christi of-Christ-GEN
157.30b Ōrēmus (oˈrɛ.mus) let-us-pray-SUBJ ut (ut) that nōs (nos) we-NOM mereamur (mɛ.rɛˈa.mur) may-deserve-SUBJ stāre (ˈsta.rɛ) to-stand ā (a) on dextrīs (ˈdɛk.stris) right-ABL.PL Christi (ˈkris.ti) of-Christ-GEN
157.16 Discipulus interrogat magistrum dē Symbolo Nicaenō. “The student asks the teacher about the Nicene Creed.”
157.17 Magister, quid significat haec vōx “ad dexteram Patris”? “Teacher, what does this phrase ‘at the right hand of the Father’ mean?”
157.18 Dextera est locus honōris et potestātis. “The right hand is the place of honor and power.”
157.19 Christus igitur aequālis est Patrī in glōriā. “Christ therefore is equal to the Father in glory.”
157.20 Sed quōmodo sedet Deus, quī nōn habet corpus? “But how does God sit, who does not have a body?”
157.21 Christus habet corpus glōrificātum post resurrēctiōnem. “Christ has a glorified body after the resurrection.”
157.22 Sessio eius significat regnum aeternum. “His session signifies an eternal kingdom.”
157.23 Nunc intellegō cūr dextera sit tam gravis. “Now I understand why the right hand is so important.”
157.24 Dic mihi dē iūdiciō novissimō. “Tell me about the Last Judgment.”
157.25 In diē illā Fīlius hominis veniet cum glōriā. “On that day the Son of Man will come with glory.”
157.26 Congregābuntur ante eum omnēs gentēs. “All nations will be gathered before him.”
157.27 Et sēparābit eōs sīcut pāstor sēgregat ovēs ab haedīs. “And he will separate them just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
157.28 Iustī quī stābunt ā dextrīs audient: “Venīte, benedictī!” “The righteous who will stand on the right will hear: ‘Come, blessed ones!’”
157.29 Impii autem quī stābunt ā sinistrīs audient: “Discēdite, malēdictī!” “But the wicked who will stand on the left will hear: ‘Depart, cursed ones!’”
157.30 Ōrēmus ut nōs mereamur stāre ā dextrīs Christi. “Let us pray that we may deserve to stand on Christ’s right.”
157.16 Discipulus interrogat magistrum dē Symbolo Nicaenō.
157.17 Magister, quid significat haec vōx “ad dexteram Patris”?
157.18 Dextera est locus honōris et potestātis.
157.19 Christus igitur aequālis est Patrī in glōriā.
157.20 Sed quōmodo sedet Deus, quī nōn habet corpus?
157.21 Christus habet corpus glōrificātum post resurrēctiōnem.
157.22 Sessio eius significat regnum aeternum.
157.23 Nunc intellegō cūr dextera sit tam gravis.
157.24 Dic mihi dē iūdiciō novissimō.
157.25 In diē illā Fīlius hominis veniet cum glōriā.
157.26 Congregābuntur ante eum omnēs gentēs.
157.27 Et sēparābit eōs sīcut pāstor sēgregat ovēs ab haedīs.
157.28 Iustī quī stābunt ā dextrīs audient: “Venīte, benedictī!”
157.29 Impii autem quī stābunt ā sinistrīs audient: “Discēdite, malēdictī!”
157.30 Ōrēmus ut nōs mereamur stāre ā dextrīs Christi.
The catechetical dialogue introduces several important grammatical structures:
Indirect Questions: “Quid significat haec vōx” uses the indicative in a direct question, but the student’s underlying thought follows indirect question patterns common in catechesis.
Dative of Reference: “Aequālis est Patrī” shows the dative used with adjectives meaning “equal to, similar to”—a common Latin construction.
Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses: “Ōrēmus ut mereamur” uses the jussive subjunctive (ōrēmus = “let us pray”) followed by a purpose clause with subjunctive (mereamur = “that we may deserve”).
Future Passive: “Congregābuntur” (they will be gathered) shows the future passive indicative, common in prophetic and eschatological texts.
Ablative of Position: “Ā dextrīs” and “ā sinistrīs” use the ablative with “ā/ab” to indicate the position “on the right/left.” This differs from “ad dexteram” (with accusative), which can indicate both direction toward and position at.
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Key Words for This Lesson -
dexter /ˈdɛk.stɛr/ — stress on first syllable -
dextra /ˈdɛk.stra/ — note the consonant cluster -
dexteram /ˈdɛk.stɛ.ram/ — three syllables with schwa-like middle -
dextrīs /ˈdɛk.stris/ — ablative plural -
sedet /ˈsɛ.dɛt/ — both e’s are open /ɛ/ -
Patris /ˈpa.tris/ — stress on first syllable -
sinistris /siˈnis.tris/ — stress on second syllable
Common Errors for English Speakers -
Pronouncing “c” before “ae” or “e” as /k/ instead of /tʃ/ (caelum = /ˈtʃɛ.lum/, not /ˈkɛ.lum/) -
Reducing unstressed vowels to schwa (Latin vowels remain pure) -
Adding aspiration to stops (Latin /p t k/ are unaspirated)
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This Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course follows the Latinum Institute methodology, which has been producing Latin learning materials since 2006. The course uses the Dickinson College Core Vocabulary list, sequencing 1000 words by frequency to build systematic reading ability.
Each lesson employs interlinear construed text, allowing autodidact learners to see the structure of Latin sentences word by word while simultaneously learning vocabulary in context. This method, developed from Renaissance humanist pedagogical traditions, accelerates comprehension by making grammatical relationships immediately visible.
The Ecclesiastical Latin course draws its examples from authentic Catholic sources: the Vulgate Bible, the liturgy of the Mass, the Divine Office, patristic writings, and magisterial documents. Students gain not only linguistic competence but also familiarity with the Church’s rich literary and theological heritage.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
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✓ Lesson 157 Ecclesiastical Latin complete
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