← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
The Latin adverb sursum means “up, upward, on high” and denotes direction toward a higher position—whether physical or spiritual. Derived from the archaic compound sub-vorsum (”turned from below”), this invariable word has acquired profound theological significance in Catholic liturgy and Scripture.
Most Catholics encounter sursum in the ancient dialogue Sursum corda (”Lift up your hearts”), spoken before the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer. This formula, attested from at least the third century in the writings of Hippolytus and Cyprian, calls the faithful to elevate their hearts toward God before the great act of thanksgiving.
In the Vulgate, Saint Paul employs sursum to express the Christian’s proper orientation: Quae sursum sunt quaerite — “Seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1). The adverb thus bridges the physical act of looking upward and the spiritual disposition of desiring heavenly things.
The opposite of sursum is deorsum (downward), and the two often appear together in the idiom sursum deorsum (”up and down, topsy-turvy”), expressing confusion or disorder.
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FAQ: What does sursum mean in Latin? Sursum is an adverb meaning “up, upward, on high.” It appears prominently in the Mass dialogue Sursum corda (”Lift up your hearts”) and in Scripture passages directing Christians to seek heavenly things.
Key Takeaways: -
Sursum is an invariable adverb (no declension) -
Pronounced /ˈsur.sum/ in Ecclesiastical Latin -
Central to the liturgical formula Sursum corda -
Expresses both physical and spiritual upward direction -
Opposite: deorsum (downward)
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1.1a Sursum up corda hearts
1.1b Sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) up corda (/ˈkɔr.da/) hearts
1.2a Oculos eyes sursum upward leva lift
1.2b Oculos (/ˈɔ.ku.los/) eyes sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward leva (/ˈle.va/) lift
1.3a Aspice look sursum up ad toward caelum heaven
1.3b Aspice (/ˈas.pi.tʃe/) look sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) up ad (/ad/) toward caelum (/ˈtʃe.lum/) heaven
1.4a Mens the-mind sursum upward tendat should-strive
1.4b Mens (/mens/) the-mind sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward tendat (/ˈten.dat/) should-strive
1.5a Sursum upward habemus we-have-[them] ad toward Dominum the-Lord
1.5b Sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward habemus (/aˈbe.mus/) we-have-[them] ad (/ad/) toward Dominum (/ˈdɔ.mi.num/) the-Lord
1.6a Elevatis having-been-lifted sursum upward oculis with-eyes Dominum the-Lord vidit he-saw
1.6b Elevatis (/e.leˈva.tis/) having-been-lifted sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward oculis (/ˈɔ.ku.lis/) with-eyes Dominum (/ˈdɔ.mi.num/) the-Lord vidit (/ˈvi.dit/) he-saw
1.7a Quae the-things-which sursum above sunt are quaerite seek
1.7b Quae (/kwe/) the-things-which sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above sunt (/sunt/) are quaerite (/ˈkwe.ri.te/) seek
1.8a Anima the-soul mea my sursum upward ad toward Deum God volat flies
1.8b Anima (/ˈa.ni.ma/) the-soul mea (/ˈme.a/) my sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward ad (/ad/) toward Deum (/ˈde.um/) God volat (/ˈvo.lat/) flies
1.9a Christus Christ sursum upward in into caelum heaven ascendit ascended
1.9b Christus (/ˈkris.tus/) Christ sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward in (/in/) into caelum (/ˈtʃe.lum/) heaven ascendit (/aˈʃen.dit/) ascended
1.10a Quae the-things-which sursum above sunt are sapite set-your-mind-on non not quae the-things-which supra upon terram earth
1.10b Quae (/kwe/) the-things-which sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above sunt (/sunt/) are sapite (/ˈsa.pi.te/) set-your-mind-on non (/non/) not quae (/kwe/) the-things-which supra (/ˈsu.pra/) upon terram (/ˈter.ram/) earth
1.11a Igitur therefore si if conresurrexistis you-have-risen-with Christo Christ quae the-things-which sursum above sunt are quaerite seek
1.11b Igitur (/ˈi.dʒi.tur/) therefore si (/si/) if conresurrexistis (/kon.re.sur.rekˈsis.tis/) you-have-risen-with Christo (/ˈkris.to/) Christ quae (/kwe/) the-things-which sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above sunt (/sunt/) are quaerite (/ˈkwe.ri.te/) seek
1.12a Jesus Jesus autem moreover elevatis having-lifted sursum upward oculis his-eyes dixit said Pater Father gratias thanks ago I-give tibi to-you
1.12b Jesus (/ˈje.zus/) Jesus autem (/ˈau.tem/) moreover elevatis (/e.leˈva.tis/) having-lifted sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward oculis (/ˈɔ.ku.lis/) his-eyes dixit (/ˈdik.sit/) said Pater (/ˈpa.ter/) Father gratias (/ˈgra.tsi.as/) thanks ago (/ˈa.go/) I-give tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you
1.13a Illa that autem however quae which sursum above est is Hierusalem Jerusalem libera free est is
1.13b Illa (/ˈil.la/) that autem (/ˈau.tem/) however quae (/kwe/) which sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above est (/est/) is Hierusalem (/je.ˈru.za.lem/) Jerusalem libera (/ˈli.be.ra/) free est (/est/) is
1.14a Omnia all-things ista these sursum up deorsum down fortuna fortune versavit has-turned
1.14b Omnia (/ˈɔm.ni.a/) all-things ista (/ˈis.ta/) these sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) up deorsum (/deˈɔr.sum/) down fortuna (/forˈtu.na/) fortune versavit (/verˈsa.vit/) has-turned
1.15a Qui he-who sursum upward aspicit looks terrena earthly-things despicit despises
1.15b Qui (/kwi/) he-who sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward aspicit (/ˈas.pi.tʃit/) looks terrena (/terˈre.na/) earthly-things despicit (/ˈdes.pi.tʃit/) despises
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1.1 Sursum corda. “Lift up your hearts.”
1.2 Oculos sursum leva. “Lift your eyes upward.”
1.3 Aspice sursum ad caelum. “Look up toward heaven.”
1.4 Mens sursum tendat. “Let the mind strive upward.”
1.5 Sursum habemus ad Dominum. “We have lifted them up to the Lord.”
1.6 Elevatis sursum oculis, Dominum vidit. “Having lifted his eyes upward, he saw the Lord.”
1.7 Quae sursum sunt quaerite. “Seek the things that are above.”
1.8 Anima mea sursum ad Deum volat. “My soul flies upward toward God.”
1.9 Christus sursum in caelum ascendit. “Christ ascended upward into heaven.”
1.10 Quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae supra terram. “Set your mind on things above, not on things upon the earth.”
1.11 Igitur si conresurrexistis Christo, quae sursum sunt quaerite. “Therefore, if you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above.”
1.12 Jesus autem elevatis sursum oculis dixit: Pater, gratias ago tibi. “Then Jesus, having lifted up his eyes, said: Father, I give thanks to you.”
1.13 Illa autem quae sursum est Hierusalem libera est. “But that Jerusalem which is above is free.”
1.14 Omnia ista sursum deorsum fortuna versavit. “Fortune has turned all these things upside down.”
1.15 Qui sursum aspicit, terrena despicit. “He who looks upward despises earthly things.”
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1.1 Sursum corda.
1.2 Oculos sursum leva.
1.3 Aspice sursum ad caelum.
1.4 Mens sursum tendat.
1.5 Sursum habemus ad Dominum.
1.6 Elevatis sursum oculis, Dominum vidit.
1.7 Quae sursum sunt quaerite.
1.8 Anima mea sursum ad Deum volat.
1.9 Christus sursum in caelum ascendit.
1.10 Quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae supra terram.
1.11 Igitur si conresurrexistis Christo, quae sursum sunt quaerite.
1.12 Jesus autem elevatis sursum oculis dixit: Pater, gratias ago tibi.
1.13 Illa autem quae sursum est Hierusalem libera est.
1.14 Omnia ista sursum deorsum fortuna versavit.
1.15 Qui sursum aspicit, terrena despicit.
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These are the grammar rules for sursum in Ecclesiastical Latin:
Classification: Sursum is an invariable adverb of direction. It does not decline or change form regardless of the grammatical context.
Etymology: The word derives from the archaic compound sub-vorsum (or subvorsum), meaning “turned from below.” The prefix sub- (”under, from below”) combines with vorsum/versum (the supine of vertere, “to turn”), giving the sense of “turned upward.”
Semantic Range: -
Physical direction: upward motion or position (elevatis sursum oculis) -
Spiritual orientation: toward God or heavenly things (quae sursum sunt) -
Metaphorical elevation: moral or intellectual aspiration (mens sursum tendat)
Syntactic Position: -
Typically follows motion verbs: ascendit sursum, tollit sursum -
May precede nouns in fixed liturgical phrases: sursum corda -
Follows the relative pronoun in substantival constructions: quae sursum sunt
The Idiom sursum deorsum: This pair of opposing adverbs means “up and down” or, idiomatically, “topsy-turvy, in complete disorder.” Seneca uses it in his letters (Ep. 44.4): Omnia ista sursum deorsum fortuna versavit (”Fortune has turned all these things upside down”).
Contrast with supra and super: While sursum indicates direction or motion upward, supra (preposition/adverb) means “above, over” in a static sense, and super (preposition) means “over, upon, above.”
Pleonastic Usage: Classical and late Latin sometimes use sursum versus or sursum versum for emphasis, though the versus element is technically redundant given sursum‘s etymology.
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Liturgical Significance: The phrase Sursum corda (”Lift up your hearts”) is one of the most ancient elements of Christian liturgy, attested from at least the third century in the writings of Saint Cyprian of Carthage and in the Apostolic Tradition attributed to Hippolytus. This dialogue between celebrant and congregation introduces the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer:
Celebrant: Sursum corda. People: Habemus ad Dominum.
The lifting of hearts (corda) toward God prepares the faithful to enter into the great act of thanksgiving (Eucharistia) that follows. The response—”We have lifted them up to the Lord”—affirms the congregation’s readiness to offer the sacrifice of praise.
Pauline Theology: Saint Paul’s use of sursum in Colossians 3:1-2 establishes the Christian’s eschatological orientation. Those who have “risen with Christ” through baptism are to seek quae sursum sunt—”the things that are above”—where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father. This passage deeply influenced monastic spirituality and the contemplative tradition.
The Heavenly Jerusalem: In Galatians 4:26, Saint Paul contrasts the earthly Jerusalem (associated with slavery under the Law) with quae sursum est Hierusalem—”the Jerusalem that is above”—which is free and is the mother of all believers. This typology profoundly shaped Christian understanding of the Church as the pilgrim people journeying toward their heavenly homeland.
Seneca and Classical Usage: The philosopher Seneca employs sursum deorsum to describe the vicissitudes of fortune, demonstrating that the word belongs equally to philosophical and everyday discourse. His usage underscores the universal human experience of change and reversal.
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Source: Colossians 3:1-2 (Vulgate) Author: Saint Paul the Apostle (Latin translation by Saint Jerome)
F.1a Igitur therefore si if conresurrexistis you-have-risen-with Christo Christ quae the-things-which sursum above sunt are quaerite seek ubi where Christus Christ est is in at dextera the-right-hand Dei of-God sedens sitting
F.1b Igitur (/ˈi.dʒi.tur/) therefore si (/si/) if conresurrexistis (/kon.re.sur.rekˈsis.tis/) you-have-risen-with Christo (/ˈkris.to/) Christ quae (/kwe/) the-things-which sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above sunt (/sunt/) are quaerite (/ˈkwe.ri.te/) seek ubi (/ˈu.bi/) where Christus (/ˈkris.tus/) Christ est (/est/) is in (/in/) at dextera (/ˈdek.ste.ra/) the-right-hand Dei (/ˈde.i/) of-God sedens (/ˈse.dens/) sitting
F.2a Quae the-things-which sursum above sunt are sapite set-your-mind-on non not quae the-things-which super upon terram earth
F.2b Quae (/kwe/) the-things-which sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above sunt (/sunt/) are sapite (/ˈsa.pi.te/) set-your-mind-on non (/non/) not quae (/kwe/) the-things-which super (/ˈsu.per/) upon terram (/ˈter.ram/) earth
Igitur si conresurrexistis Christo, quae sursum sunt quaerite, ubi Christus est in dextera Dei sedens. Quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae super terram.
“Therefore, if you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things that are upon the earth.”
Igitur si conresurrexistis Christo, quae sursum sunt quaerite, ubi Christus est in dextera Dei sedens. Quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae super terram.
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conresurrexistis: 2nd person plural perfect indicative of conresurgere (to rise together with); compound of cum + resurgere -
quaerite: 2nd person plural present imperative of quaerere (to seek) -
sapite: 2nd person plural present imperative of sapere (here: to be wise about, to set one’s mind on) -
sedens: present active participle nominative singular of sedere (sitting) -
dextera Dei: “the right hand of God” — position of honor and power
This passage from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Colossians establishes the fundamental orientation of the baptized Christian. The verb conresurrexistis expresses the believer’s mystical participation in Christ’s resurrection through baptism—a death to sin and rising to new life.
The twice-repeated phrase quae sursum sunt (”the things that are above”) creates a rhetorical emphasis, first with quaerite (active seeking) and then with sapite (the disposition of the mind). Paul does not advocate escapism or neglect of earthly duties, but rather the proper ordering of desires: heavenly things are to be the ultimate aim, even as one fulfills responsibilities in this world.
The image of Christ “seated at the right hand of God” (in dextera Dei sedens) echoes Psalm 110:1 and affirms Christ’s reign in glory. For the Christian, sursum is not merely a spatial direction but a spiritual compass pointing toward union with Christ in the heavenly places.
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The following examples draw from the Mass, the Divine Office, and devotional reflection, showing how sursum guides the faithful in their worship and spiritual life.
2.1a Sacerdos the-priest dicit says Sursum up corda hearts
2.1b Sacerdos (/saˈtʃer.dos/) the-priest dicit (/ˈdi.tʃit/) says Sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) up corda (/ˈkɔr.da/) hearts
2.2a Populus the-people respondet respond Habemus we-have-[them] ad toward Dominum the-Lord
2.2b Populus (/ˈpo.pu.lus/) the-people respondet (/resˈpɔn.det/) respond Habemus (/aˈbe.mus/) we-have-[them] ad (/ad/) toward Dominum (/ˈdɔ.mi.num/) the-Lord
2.3a Cum when Missa the-Mass celebratur is-celebrated corda hearts sursum upward tolluntur are-lifted
2.3b Cum (/kum/) when Missa (/ˈmis.sa/) the-Mass celebratur (/tʃe.leˈbra.tur/) is-celebrated corda (/ˈkɔr.da/) hearts sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward tolluntur (/tolˈlun.tur/) are-lifted
2.4a In in praefatione the-Preface sacerdos the-priest nos us sursum upward vocat calls
2.4b In (/in/) in praefatione (/pre.faˈtsi.o.ne/) the-Preface sacerdos (/saˈtʃer.dos/) the-priest nos (/nos/) us sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward vocat (/ˈvo.kat/) calls
2.5a Gratias thanks agamus let-us-give Domino to-the-Lord Deo God nostro our
2.5b Gratias (/ˈgra.tsi.as/) thanks agamus (/aˈga.mus/) let-us-give Domino (/ˈdɔ.mi.no/) to-the-Lord Deo (/ˈde.o/) God nostro (/ˈnos.tro/) our
2.6a Dignum worthy et and iustum just est it-is
2.6b Dignum (/ˈdiɲ.ɲum/) worthy et (/et/) and iustum (/ˈjus.tum/) just est (/est/) it-is
2.7a Per through Christum Christ qui who sursum upward ascendit ascended ad to Patrem the-Father oramus we-pray
2.7b Per (/per/) through Christum (/ˈkris.tum/) Christ qui (/kwi/) who sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward ascendit (/aˈʃen.dit/) ascended ad (/ad/) to Patrem (/ˈpa.trem/) the-Father oramus (/oˈra.mus/) we-pray
2.8a Ascensio the-Ascension Domini of-the-Lord nos us sursum upward trahit draws
2.8b Ascensio (/aˈʃen.si.o/) the-Ascension Domini (/ˈdɔ.mi.ni/) of-the-Lord nos (/nos/) us sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward trahit (/ˈtra.it/) draws
2.9a Ubi where caput the-Head est is illuc there et also membra the-members sursum upward tendunt strive
2.9b Ubi (/ˈu.bi/) where caput (/ˈka.put/) the-Head est (/est/) is illuc (/ˈil.luk/) there et (/et/) also membra (/ˈmem.bra/) the-members sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward tendunt (/ˈten.dunt/) strive
2.10a Spiritus the-Spirit Sanctus Holy animas souls nostras our sursum upward elevat lifts
2.10b Spiritus (/ˈspi.ri.tus/) the-Spirit Sanctus (/ˈsaŋk.tus/) Holy animas (/ˈa.ni.mas/) souls nostras (/ˈnos.tras/) our sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward elevat (/ˈe.le.vat/) lifts
2.11a Non not deorsum downward sed but sursum upward semper always aspiciamus let-us-look
2.11b Non (/non/) not deorsum (/deˈɔr.sum/) downward sed (/sed/) but sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward semper (/ˈsem.per/) always aspiciamus (/as.piˈtʃi.a.mus/) let-us-look
2.12a In in oratione prayer mens the-mind sursum upward ad toward Deum God fertur is-borne
2.12b In (/in/) in oratione (/o.raˈtsi.o.ne/) prayer mens (/mens/) the-mind sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward ad (/ad/) toward Deum (/ˈde.um/) God fertur (/ˈfer.tur/) is-borne
2.13a Beata blessed Virgo Virgin Maria Mary cum with Filio her-Son sursum upward in into gloriam glory assumpta was-assumed est [she]
2.13b Beata (/beˈa.ta/) blessed Virgo (/ˈvir.go/) Virgin Maria (/maˈri.a/) Mary cum (/kum/) with Filio (/ˈfi.li.o/) her-Son sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward in (/in/) into gloriam (/ˈglɔ.ri.am/) glory assumpta (/asˈsum.pta/) was-assumed est (/est/) [she]
2.14a Sancti the-saints qui who sursum above regnant reign pro for nobis us intercedunt intercede
2.14b Sancti (/ˈsaŋk.ti/) the-saints qui (/kwi/) who sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) above regnant (/ˈreɲ.ɲant/) reign pro (/pro/) for nobis (/ˈno.bis/) us intercedunt (/in.terˈtʃe.dunt/) intercede
2.15a Post after mortem death speramus we-hope sursum upward ad to vitam life aeternam eternal pervenire to-arrive
2.15b Post (/post/) after mortem (/ˈmɔr.tem/) death speramus (/speˈra.mus/) we-hope sursum (/ˈsur.sum/) upward ad (/ad/) to vitam (/ˈvi.tam/) life aeternam (/eˈter.nam/) eternal pervenire (/per.veˈni.re/) to-arrive
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2.1 Sacerdos dicit: Sursum corda. “The priest says: Lift up your hearts.”
2.2 Populus respondet: Habemus ad Dominum. “The people respond: We have lifted them up to the Lord.”
2.3 Cum Missa celebratur, corda sursum tolluntur. “When the Mass is celebrated, hearts are lifted upward.”
2.4 In praefatione sacerdos nos sursum vocat. “In the Preface, the priest calls us upward.”
2.5 Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.”
2.6 Dignum et iustum est. “It is right and just.”
2.7 Per Christum qui sursum ascendit ad Patrem oramus. “We pray through Christ who ascended upward to the Father.”
2.8 Ascensio Domini nos sursum trahit. “The Ascension of the Lord draws us upward.”
2.9 Ubi caput est, illuc et membra sursum tendunt. “Where the Head is, there also the members strive upward.”
2.10 Spiritus Sanctus animas nostras sursum elevat. “The Holy Spirit lifts our souls upward.”
2.11 Non deorsum sed sursum semper aspiciamus. “Let us always look not downward but upward.”
2.12 In oratione mens sursum ad Deum fertur. “In prayer, the mind is borne upward toward God.”
2.13 Beata Virgo Maria cum Filio sursum in gloriam assumpta est. “The Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed upward into glory with her Son.”
2.14 Sancti qui sursum regnant pro nobis intercedunt. “The saints who reign above intercede for us.”
2.15 Post mortem speramus sursum ad vitam aeternam pervenire. “After death, we hope to arrive upward to eternal life.”
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2.1 Sacerdos dicit: Sursum corda.
2.2 Populus respondet: Habemus ad Dominum.
2.3 Cum Missa celebratur, corda sursum tolluntur.
2.4 In praefatione sacerdos nos sursum vocat.
2.5 Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
2.6 Dignum et iustum est.
2.7 Per Christum qui sursum ascendit ad Patrem oramus.
2.8 Ascensio Domini nos sursum trahit.
2.9 Ubi caput est, illuc et membra sursum tendunt.
2.10 Spiritus Sanctus animas nostras sursum elevat.
2.11 Non deorsum sed sursum semper aspiciamus.
2.12 In oratione mens sursum ad Deum fertur.
2.13 Beata Virgo Maria cum Filio sursum in gloriam assumpta est.
2.14 Sancti qui sursum regnant pro nobis intercedunt.
2.15 Post mortem speramus sursum ad vitam aeternam pervenire.
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The liturgical examples in this section illustrate how sursum functions within Catholic worship and devotion. The Sursum corda dialogue (2.1–2.6) represents the most familiar context for this word, inviting the faithful to lift their hearts toward God before the Eucharistic Prayer.
The theological examples (2.7–2.10) connect the word to key doctrines: Christ’s Ascension, the mystical union of Head and members, and the elevating action of the Holy Spirit. The devotional examples (2.11–2.15) apply these truths to the spiritual life, encouraging the faithful to maintain an upward orientation in prayer and hope.
The contrast with deorsum (downward) in example 2.11 reinforces the Christian’s call to transcend earthly attachments and fix the gaze on eternal realities.
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This lesson is part of the Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course, following the Dickinson Core Vocabulary frequency-based curriculum adapted for Catholic Latin texts. Each lesson introduces vocabulary through authentic ecclesiastical sources—Scripture, liturgy, patristics, and theology—enabling autodidact students to read the Church’s rich Latin heritage.
The interlinear construed text method, pioneered by the Latinum Institute, allows learners to absorb Latin naturally by seeing the target language alongside word-by-word glosses. Both the “a” line (direct script-to-meaning) and “b” line (with IPA pronunciation) serve different learning modalities, building both reading fluency and proper pronunciation.
Course Index:
https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Latinum Institute Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Methodology: The 1000-word Dickinson Core Vocabulary, organized by frequency, ensures that students learn the most common and useful words first. By Lesson 158, students have encountered the essential grammatical words and can engage with authentic theological and liturgical Latin.
Sursum corda. Habemus ad Dominum.
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