← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
Welcome to Lesson 165 of the Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course. Our topic word is aperīre, a fourth-conjugation verb meaning “to open, uncover, reveal.” This word resonates throughout Catholic Scripture and liturgy, from Christ opening the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures (Tunc aperuit illis sensum — Luke 24:45) to the faithful’s prayer that God would open the gates of heaven.
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FAQ: What does “aperīre” mean in Ecclesiastical Latin?
The verb aperīre (principal parts: aperio, aperīre, aperuī, apertum) means “to open, uncover, reveal, or disclose.” In Catholic usage, it encompasses both physical opening (doors, books, eyes) and spiritual revelation (understanding Scripture, opening hearts to grace). Pope Francis titled his 2019 Motu Proprio establishing the Sunday of the Word of God Aperuit illis, quoting Luke 24:45 where Christ “opened to them” understanding of the Scriptures.
In this lesson, the fifteen examples demonstrate aperīre in various grammatical forms: present active (aperit), perfect active (aperuit), passive (aperītur, apertum est), imperative (aperī!), and participial (apertus). You will encounter authentic Catholic themes: the opening of heaven, the revelation of Scripture, the unlocking of hearts, and the sacramental imagery of doors and gates in salvation history.
The verb aperīre follows the fourth conjugation pattern and takes a direct object in the accusative case. It frequently appears with dative of advantage (”opened to them“) and in passive constructions (”the eyes were opened“). The perfect passive participle apertus, -a, -um functions adjectivally to describe things that have been opened or revealed.
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Ecclesiastical Latin follows Italian-influenced pronunciation rules. For aperīre and its forms:
Vowels: a = /a/ (father), e = /e/ (met), i = /i/ (machine), o = /o/ (note), u = /u/ (rule)
Key pronunciations: -
aperīre = /a-pe-RI-re/ -
aperit = /A-pe-rit/ -
aperuit = /a-PE-ru-it/ -
apertum = /a-PER-tum/ -
aperītur = /a-pe-RI-tur/
Special rules: c before e/i = /tʃ/ (ch); g before e/i = /dʒ/ (j); gn = /nj/; ti before vowel = /tsi/
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165.1a Dominus Lord aperuit opened portas gates caeli of-heaven nobis for-us
Dominus (/ˈdo.mi.nus/) Lord aperuit (/aˈpe.ru.it/) opened portas (/ˈpor.tas/) gates caeli (/ˈtʃe.li/) of-heaven nobis (/ˈno.bis/) for-us
165.2a Tunc then Christus Christ aperuit opened illis to-them sensum understanding
Tunc (/tunk/) then Christus (/ˈkris.tus/) Christ aperuit (/aˈpe.ru.it/) opened illis (/ˈil.lis/) to-them sensum (/ˈsen.sum/) understanding
165.3a Aperi open-IMPER Domine Lord-VOC oculos eyes meos my
Aperi (/aˈpe.ri/) open-IMPER Domine (/ˈdo.mi.ne/) Lord-VOC oculos (/ˈo.ku.los/) eyes meos (/ˈme.os/) my
165.4a Caelum heaven apertum opened-PTCP est is super above eum him
Caelum (/ˈtʃe.lum/) heaven apertum (/aˈper.tum/) opened-PTCP est (/est/) is super (/ˈsu.per/) above eum (/ˈe.um/) him
165.5a Pulsate knock-IMPER et and aperietur it-will-be-opened vobis to-you-PL
Pulsate (/pulˈsa.te/) knock-IMPER et (/et/) and aperietur (/a.peˈri.e.tur/) it-will-be-opened vobis (/ˈvo.bis/) to-you-PL
165.6a Sacerdos priest aperit opens librum book sanctum holy in upon altari altar-ABL
Sacerdos (/saˈtʃer.dos/) priest aperit (/ˈa.pe.rit/) opens librum (/ˈli.brum/) book sanctum (/ˈsank.tum/) holy in (/in/) upon altari (/alˈta.ri/) altar-ABL
165.7a Verbum word Dei of-God corda hearts nostra our aperit opens
Verbum (/ˈver.bum/) word Dei (/ˈde.i/) of-God corda (/ˈkor.da/) hearts nostra (/ˈnos.tra/) our aperit (/ˈa.pe.rit/) opens
165.8a Angeli angels aperuerunt opened sepulcrum tomb Domini of-the-Lord
Angeli (/ˈan.dʒe.li/) angels aperuerunt (/a.pe.ruˈe.runt/) opened sepulcrum (/seˈpul.krum/) tomb Domini (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-the-Lord
165.9a Maria Mary os mouth suum her non not aperuit opened contra against accusatores accusers
Maria (/maˈri.a/) Mary os (/os/) mouth suum (/ˈsu.um/) her non (/non/) not aperuit (/aˈpe.ru.it/) opened contra (/ˈkon.tra/) against accusatores (/ak.ku.saˈto.res/) accusers
165.10a Fides faith portas gates paradisi of-paradise aperit opens credentibus to-believers-DAT
Fides (/ˈfi.des/) faith portas (/ˈpor.tas/) gates paradisi (/pa.raˈdi.si/) of-paradise aperit (/ˈa.pe.rit/) opens credentibus (/kreˈden.ti.bus/) to-believers-DAT
165.11a Et and aperti opened-PTCP sunt were oculi eyes eorum their
Et (/et/) and aperti (/aˈper.ti/) opened-PTCP sunt (/sunt/) were oculi (/ˈo.ku.li/) eyes eorum (/eˈo.rum/) their
165.12a Aperis you-open tu you manum hand tuam your et and imples you-fill omne every animal creature benedictione with-blessing-ABL
Aperis (/ˈa.pe.ris/) you-open tu (/tu/) you manum (/ˈma.num/) hand tuam (/ˈtu.am/) your et (/et/) and imples (/ˈim.ples/) you-fill omne (/ˈom.ne/) every animal (/aˈni.mal/) creature benedictione (/be.ne.dik.tsiˈo.ne/) with-blessing-ABL
165.13a Si if quis anyone aperuerit opens-FUT-PERF ianuam door intrabo I-will-enter ad to eum him
Si (/si/) if quis (/kwis/) anyone aperuerit (/a.peˈru.e.rit/) opens-FUT-PERF ianuam (/ˈja.nu.am/) door intrabo (/inˈtra.bo/) I-will-enter ad (/ad/) to eum (/ˈe.um/) him
165.14a Ecclesia Church mysteria mysteries fidei of-faith fidelibus to-the-faithful-DAT aperit opens
Ecclesia (/ekˈkle.si.a/) Church mysteria (/misˈte.ri.a/) mysteries fidei (/ˈfi.de.i/) of-faith fidelibus (/fi.ˈde.li.bus/) to-the-faithful-DAT aperit (/ˈa.pe.rit/) opens
165.15a Scripturae Scriptures apertae opened-PTCP-FEM-PL lumen light veritatis of-truth praebent offer
Scripturae (/skripˈtu.re/) Scriptures apertae (/aˈper.te/) opened-PTCP-FEM-PL lumen (/ˈlu.men/) light veritatis (/ve.riˈta.tis/) of-truth praebent (/ˈpre.bent/) offer
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165.1 Dominus aperuit portas caeli nobis. “The Lord opened the gates of heaven for us.”
165.2 Tunc Christus aperuit illis sensum. “Then Christ opened understanding to them.”
165.3 Aperi, Domine, oculos meos. “Open, O Lord, my eyes.”
165.4 Caelum apertum est super eum. “Heaven was opened above him.”
165.5 Pulsate, et aperietur vobis. “Knock, and it will be opened to you.”
165.6 Sacerdos aperit librum sanctum in altari. “The priest opens the holy book upon the altar.”
165.7 Verbum Dei corda nostra aperit. “The Word of God opens our hearts.”
165.8 Angeli aperuerunt sepulcrum Domini. “The angels opened the tomb of the Lord.”
165.9 Maria os suum non aperuit contra accusatores. “Mary did not open her mouth against her accusers.”
165.10 Fides portas paradisi aperit credentibus. “Faith opens the gates of paradise to believers.”
165.11 Et aperti sunt oculi eorum. “And their eyes were opened.”
165.12 Aperis tu manum tuam et imples omne animal benedictione. “You open your hand and fill every creature with blessing.”
165.13 Si quis aperuerit ianuam, intrabo ad eum. “If anyone opens the door, I will enter to him.”
165.14 Ecclesia mysteria fidei fidelibus aperit. “The Church opens the mysteries of faith to the faithful.”
165.15 Scripturae apertae lumen veritatis praebent. “The opened Scriptures offer the light of truth.”
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165.1 Dominus aperuit portas caeli nobis.
165.2 Tunc Christus aperuit illis sensum.
165.3 Aperi, Domine, oculos meos.
165.4 Caelum apertum est super eum.
165.5 Pulsate, et aperietur vobis.
165.6 Sacerdos aperit librum sanctum in altari.
165.7 Verbum Dei corda nostra aperit.
165.8 Angeli aperuerunt sepulcrum Domini.
165.9 Maria os suum non aperuit contra accusatores.
165.10 Fides portas paradisi aperit credentibus.
165.11 Et aperti sunt oculi eorum.
165.12 Aperis tu manum tuam et imples omne animal benedictione.
165.13 Si quis aperuerit ianuam, intrabo ad eum.
165.14 Ecclesia mysteria fidei fidelibus aperit.
165.15 Scripturae apertae lumen veritatis praebent.
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These are the grammar rules for aperīre.
The verb aperīre belongs to the fourth conjugation (characterized by the -ī- stem vowel) and follows the regular pattern of verbs like audīre (to hear) and venīre (to come).
Principal Parts: aperio, aperīre, aperuī, apertum
Present Tense Active (Indicative): aperiō (I open), aperīs (you open), aperit (he/she/it opens), aperīmus (we open), aperītis (you-pl open), aperiunt (they open)
Perfect Tense Active: aperuī (I opened/have opened), aperuistī (you opened), aperuit (he/she/it opened), aperuimus (we opened), aperuistis (you-pl opened), aperuērunt (they opened)
Passive Voice Present: aperior (I am opened), aperīris (you are opened), aperītur (it is opened), aperīmur (we are opened), aperīminī (you-pl are opened), aperiuntur (they are opened)
Future Passive (Third Person): aperiētur (it will be opened) — as in pulsate, et aperiētur vobis
Perfect Passive: Uses the perfect passive participle apertus, -a, -um with forms of esse: apertum est (it was opened/has been opened), aperti sunt (they were opened)
Imperative Forms: Singular: aperī! (open thou!) — Plural: aperīte! (open ye!)
Syntax Notes: The verb takes a direct object in the accusative (aperit portas — opens the gates). When indicating the person for whom something is opened, the dative of advantage is used (aperuit illis sensum — opened understanding to them). The perfect passive participle apertus agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies (caelum apertum, oculi aperti, Scripturae apertae).
Common Mistakes: Students sometimes confuse fourth-conjugation -iō verbs with third-conjugation -iō verbs like capiō. Remember that aperīre has a long -ī- in the infinitive (aperīre, not aperĕre) and maintains -i- throughout the present system.
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The verb aperīre holds profound theological significance in Catholic tradition. When Christ “opened” (aperuit) the minds of His disciples after the Resurrection (Luke 24:45), He established the interpretive key for all Scripture. Pope Francis named his 2019 Motu Proprio Aperuit illis after this verse, establishing the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God.
The imagery of opening pervades Catholic liturgy: the priest “opens” the Missal upon the altar; the faithful knock and the door “will be opened” (Matthew 7:7); heaven itself “was opened” at Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3:16). The Psalm verse Aperis tu manum tuam (Psalm 145:16) forms part of the traditional grace before meals, praising God who opens His hand to fill every creature.
In mystical theology, the opening of spiritual eyes (aperti sunt oculi eorum) represents the moment of grace when the believer perceives divine truth. The Sacred Heart devotion speaks of Christ deigning to “open” (aperīre dignatus es) the ineffable sweetnesses of His Heart to His Church.
The future passive aperiētur in Pulsate, et aperiētur vobis captures the promise that persistent prayer will be answered — the door will be opened by divine action, not human effort.
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Source: Luke 24:30-32, 45 (Biblia Sacra Vulgata)
Et and factum made/done est is dum while recumberet he-reclined cum with illis them accepit he-took panem bread et and benedixit blessed ac and fregit broke et and porrigebat was-offering illis to-them
Et (/et/) and factum (/ˈfak.tum/) made/done est (/est/) is dum (/dum/) while recumberet (/reˈkum.be.ret/) he-reclined cum (/kum/) with illis (/ˈil.lis/) them accepit (/akˈtʃe.pit/) he-took panem (/ˈpa.nem/) bread et (/et/) and benedixit (/be.neˈdik.sit/) blessed ac (/ak/) and fregit (/ˈfre.dʒit/) broke et (/et/) and porrigebat (/por.riˈdʒe.bat/) was-offering illis (/ˈil.lis/) to-them
Et and aperti opened-PTCP sunt were oculi eyes eorum their et and cognoverunt they-recognized eum him
Et (/et/) and aperti (/aˈper.ti/) opened-PTCP sunt (/sunt/) were oculi (/ˈo.ku.li/) eyes eorum (/eˈo.rum/) their et (/et/) and cognoverunt (/kog.noˈve.runt/) they-recognized eum (/ˈe.um/) him
Nonne not-INTERROG cor heart nostrum our ardens burning erat was in in nobis us dum while aperiret he-was-opening nobis to-us Scripturas Scriptures
Nonne (/ˈnon.ne/) not-INTERROG cor (/kor/) heart nostrum (/ˈnos.trum/) our ardens (/ˈar.dens/) burning erat (/ˈe.rat/) was in (/in/) in nobis (/ˈno.bis/) us dum (/dum/) while aperiret (/aˈpe.ri.ret/) he-was-opening nobis (/ˈno.bis/) to-us Scripturas (/skripˈtu.ras/) Scriptures
Tunc then aperuit he-opened illis to-them sensum understanding ut so-that intelligerent they-might-understand Scripturas Scriptures
Tunc (/tunk/) then aperuit (/aˈpe.ru.it/) he-opened illis (/ˈil.lis/) to-them sensum (/ˈsen.sum/) understanding ut (/ut/) so-that intelligerent (/in.tel.liˈdʒe.rent/) they-might-understand Scripturas (/skripˈtu.ras/) Scriptures
Et factum est dum recumberet cum illis, accepit panem et benedixit ac fregit et porrigebat illis. Et aperti sunt oculi eorum et cognoverunt eum. Nonne cor nostrum ardens erat in nobis dum aperiret nobis Scripturas? Tunc aperuit illis sensum ut intelligerent Scripturas.
“And it came to pass that while he reclined with them, he took bread and blessed and broke it and was offering it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Was not our heart burning within us while he was opening to us the Scriptures? Then he opened to them understanding so that they might understand the Scriptures.”
Et factum est dum recumberet cum illis, accepit panem et benedixit ac fregit et porrigebat illis. Et aperti sunt oculi eorum et cognoverunt eum. Nonne cor nostrum ardens erat in nobis dum aperiret nobis Scripturas? Tunc aperuit illis sensum ut intelligerent Scripturas.
This passage from the Emmaus narrative employs aperīre three times: the passive perfect aperti sunt (their eyes “were opened”), the imperfect subjunctive aperiret (while he “was opening” — ongoing action in a temporal clause), and the perfect indicative aperuit (he “opened” — completed action). The shift from passive (aperti sunt) to active (aperuit) reflects the theological movement from the disciples’ receptive experience to Christ’s authoritative act of revelation. The subjunctive intelligerent expresses purpose (”so that they might understand”). The phrase cor... ardens (burning heart) captures the inward effect of Scripture opened by divine teaching.
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Setting: A novice seeks entrance to a monastery and instruction in the faith. The dialogue between the novice (N) and the abbot (A) weaves physical and spiritual themes of opening.
165.16a N: Pater father aperi open-IMPER mihi to-me portam gate monasterii of-the-monastery
N: Pater (/ˈpa.ter/) father aperi (/aˈpe.ri/) open-IMPER mihi (/ˈmi.hi/) to-me portam (/ˈpor.tam/) gate monasterii (/mo.nasˈte.ri.i/) of-the-monastery
165.17a A: Quis who es are-you tu you qui who pulsas knock et and aperiri to-be-opened postulas request
A: Quis (/kwis/) who es (/es/) are-you tu (/tu/) you qui (/kwi/) who pulsas (/ˈpul.sas/) knock et (/et/) and aperiri (/aˈpe.ri.ri/) to-be-opened postulas (/ˈpos.tu.las/) request
165.18a N: Servus servant Christi of-Christ sum I-am qui who cor heart meum my Deo to-God aperire to-open desidero I-desire
N: Servus (/ˈser.vus/) servant Christi (/ˈkris.ti/) of-Christ sum (/sum/) I-am qui (/kwi/) who cor (/kor/) heart meum (/ˈme.um/) my Deo (/ˈde.o/) to-God aperire (/aˈpe.ri.re/) to-open desidero (/de.siˈde.ro/) I-desire
165.19a A: Bene well dicis you-speak sed but primum first aperiat may-open-SUBJ Dominus Lord oculos eyes mentis of-mind tuae your
A: Bene (/ˈbe.ne/) well dicis (/ˈdi.tʃis/) you-speak sed (/sed/) but primum (/ˈpri.mum/) first aperiat (/aˈpe.ri.at/) may-open-SUBJ Dominus (/ˈdo.mi.nus/) Lord oculos (/ˈo.ku.los/) eyes mentis (/ˈmen.tis/) of-mind tuae (/ˈtu.e/) your
165.20a N: Aperiri to-be-opened iubeas may-you-command mihi to-me Scripturas Scriptures sanctas holy
N: Aperiri (/aˈpe.ri.ri/) to-be-opened iubeas (/ˈju.be.as/) may-you-command mihi (/ˈmi.hi/) to-me Scripturas (/skripˈtu.ras/) Scriptures sanctas (/ˈsank.tas/) holy
165.21a A: Christus Christ ipse himself Scripturas Scriptures aperuit opened discipulis to-disciples suis his
A: Christus (/ˈkris.tus/) Christ ipse (/ˈip.se/) himself Scripturas (/skripˈtu.ras/) Scriptures aperuit (/aˈpe.ru.it/) opened discipulis (/di.ˈsʃi.pu.lis/) to-disciples suis (/ˈsu.is/) his
165.22a A: Idem same Dominus Lord tibi to-you sensum understanding aperiet will-open si if fideliter faithfully quaeris you-seek
A: Idem (/ˈi.dem/) same Dominus (/ˈdo.mi.nus/) Lord tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you sensum (/ˈsen.sum/) understanding aperiet (/aˈpe.ri.et/) will-open si (/si/) if fideliter (/fi.deˈli.ter/) faithfully quaeris (/ˈkwe.ris/) you-seek
165.23a N: Fiat may-it-be sicut just-as dicis you-say pater father aperio I-open cor heart meum my tibi to-you
N: Fiat (/ˈfi.at/) may-it-be sicut (/ˈsi.kut/) just-as dicis (/ˈdi.tʃis/) you-say pater (/ˈpa.ter/) father aperio (/aˈpe.ri.o/) I-open cor (/kor/) heart meum (/ˈme.um/) my tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you
165.24a A: Ecce behold porta gate aperta opened-PTCP est is ingredere enter-IMPER in into pacem peace
A: Ecce (/ˈek.tʃe/) behold porta (/ˈpor.ta/) gate aperta (/aˈper.ta/) opened-PTCP est (/est/) is ingredere (/inˈgre.de.re/) enter-IMPER in (/in/) into pacem (/ˈpa.tʃem/) peace
165.25a N: Gratias thanks ago I-give Deo to-God qui who ostium door misericordiae of-mercy aperuit opened
N: Gratias (/ˈgra.tsi.as/) thanks ago (/ˈa.go/) I-give Deo (/ˈde.o/) to-God qui (/kwi/) who ostium (/ˈos.ti.um/) door misericordiae (/mi.se.ri.ˈkor.di.e/) of-mercy aperuit (/aˈpe.ru.it/) opened
165.26a A: Hodie today apertae opened-PTCP sunt are tibi to-you fores doors vitae of-life novae new
A: Hodie (/ˈho.di.e/) today apertae (/aˈper.te/) opened-PTCP sunt (/sunt/) are tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you fores (/ˈfo.res/) doors vitae (/ˈvi.te/) of-life novae (/ˈno.ve/) new
165.27a A: Quotidie daily aperietur will-be-opened tibi to-you liber book Evangelii of-the-Gospel
A: Quotidie (/kwoˈti.di.e/) daily aperietur (/a.peˈri.e.tur/) will-be-opened tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you liber (/ˈli.ber/) book Evangelii (/e.vanˈdʒe.li.i/) of-the-Gospel
165.28a N: Aperiam I-will-open os mouth meum my in in laude praise Domini of-the-Lord semper always
N: Aperiam (/aˈpe.ri.am/) I-will-open os (/os/) mouth meum (/ˈme.um/) my in (/in/) in laude (/ˈlau̯.de/) praise Domini (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-the-Lord semper (/ˈsem.per/) always
165.29a A: Ita thus aperiet will-open Deus God tibi to-you thesauros treasures sapientiae of-wisdom suae his
A: Ita (/ˈi.ta/) thus aperiet (/aˈpe.ri.et/) will-open Deus (/ˈde.us/) God tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you thesauros (/theˈsau̯.ros/) treasures sapientiae (/sa.piˈen.tsi.e/) of-wisdom suae (/ˈsu.e/) his
165.30a A: Pax peace tecum with-you frater brother caelum heaven tibi to-you apertum opened-PTCP sit may-be
A: Pax (/paks/) peace tecum (/ˈte.kum/) with-you frater (/ˈfra.ter/) brother caelum (/ˈtʃe.lum/) heaven tibi (/ˈti.bi/) to-you apertum (/aˈper.tum/) opened-PTCP sit (/sit/) may-be
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165.16 N: Pater, aperi mihi portam monasterii. “Father, open the gate of the monastery to me.”
165.17 A: Quis es tu qui pulsas et aperiri postulas? “Who are you who knock and request to be admitted?”
165.18 N: Servus Christi sum qui cor meum Deo aperire desidero. “I am a servant of Christ who desires to open my heart to God.”
165.19 A: Bene dicis, sed primum aperiat Dominus oculos mentis tuae. “You speak well, but first may the Lord open the eyes of your mind.”
165.20 N: Aperiri iubeas mihi Scripturas sanctas. “May you command the holy Scriptures to be opened to me.”
165.21 A: Christus ipse Scripturas aperuit discipulis suis. “Christ himself opened the Scriptures to his disciples.”
165.22 A: Idem Dominus tibi sensum aperiet si fideliter quaeris. “The same Lord will open understanding to you if you seek faithfully.”
165.23 N: Fiat sicut dicis, pater; aperio cor meum tibi. “May it be as you say, father; I open my heart to you.”
165.24 A: Ecce, porta aperta est; ingredere in pacem. “Behold, the gate is open; enter into peace.”
165.25 N: Gratias ago Deo qui ostium misericordiae aperuit. “I give thanks to God who opened the door of mercy.”
165.26 A: Hodie apertae sunt tibi fores vitae novae. “Today the doors of a new life have been opened to you.”
165.27 A: Quotidie aperietur tibi liber Evangelii. “Daily the book of the Gospel will be opened to you.”
165.28 N: Aperiam os meum in laude Domini semper. “I will open my mouth in praise of the Lord always.”
165.29 A: Ita aperiet Deus tibi thesauros sapientiae suae. “Thus God will open to you the treasures of his wisdom.”
165.30 A: Pax tecum, frater; caelum tibi apertum sit. “Peace be with you, brother; may heaven be opened to you.”
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165.16 N: Pater, aperi mihi portam monasterii.
165.17 A: Quis es tu qui pulsas et aperiri postulas?
165.18 N: Servus Christi sum qui cor meum Deo aperire desidero.
165.19 A: Bene dicis, sed primum aperiat Dominus oculos mentis tuae.
165.20 N: Aperiri iubeas mihi Scripturas sanctas.
165.21 A: Christus ipse Scripturas aperuit discipulis suis.
165.22 A: Idem Dominus tibi sensum aperiet si fideliter quaeris.
165.23 N: Fiat sicut dicis, pater; aperio cor meum tibi.
165.24 A: Ecce, porta aperta est; ingredere in pacem.
165.25 N: Gratias ago Deo qui ostium misericordiae aperuit.
165.26 A: Hodie apertae sunt tibi fores vitae novae.
165.27 A: Quotidie aperietur tibi liber Evangelii.
165.28 N: Aperiam os meum in laude Domini semper.
165.29 A: Ita aperiet Deus tibi thesauros sapientiae suae.
165.30 A: Pax tecum, frater; caelum tibi apertum sit.
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This liturgical dialogue demonstrates the full range of aperīre forms in an authentic monastic setting:
Imperative: aperi (165.16) — direct command, singular Passive Infinitive: aperiri (165.17, 165.20) — “to be opened” Active Infinitive with Desiderative: aperire desidero (165.18) — “I desire to open” Present Subjunctive (Jussive/Optative): aperiat (165.19) — “may he open” Perfect Indicative: aperuit (165.21, 165.25) — “he opened” Future Indicative: aperiet (165.22, 165.29) — “he will open” Present Indicative 1st Person: aperio (165.23) — “I open” Perfect Passive Participle: aperta/apertae/apertum (165.24, 165.26, 165.30) — “opened” Future Passive: aperietur (165.27) — “it will be opened” Future Active 1st Person: aperiam (165.28) — “I will open” Present Subjunctive (Optative): sit with apertum (165.30) — “may it be opened”
The dialogue illustrates the dative of advantage (mihi, tibi) and genitive of description (portam monasterii, ostium misericordiae, thesauros sapientiae). The progression from physical opening (monastery gate) to spiritual opening (Scriptures, understanding, heaven) mirrors the movement of conversion and religious formation.
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Word IPA Meaning aperīre /aˈpe.ri.re/ to open aperit /ˈa.pe.rit/ he/she/it opens aperuit /aˈpe.ru.it/ he/she/it opened apertum /aˈper.tum/ having been opened aperītur /aˈpe.ri.tur/ it is opened aperiētur /a.peˈri.e.tur/ it will be opened caelum /ˈtʃe.lum/ heaven Scripturae /skripˈtu.re/ Scriptures misericordiae /mi.se.riˈkor.di.e/ of mercy Evangelii /e.vanˈdʒe.li.i/ of the Gospel
Avoid pronouncing aperuit as three syllables with stress on the first — stress falls on the second syllable: /aˈpe.ru.it/. The ae in caelum is a monophthong /e/, not a diphthong. Remember that c before e or i in Ecclesiastical Latin sounds like English “ch” in “church,” so caelum = /ˈtʃe.lum/.
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Aperuit illis sensum ut intelligerent Scripturas. — May the Lord open your understanding as you progress in your study of Ecclesiastical Latin.
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✓ Lesson 165 Ecclesiastical Latin complete
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