← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
Annus (year) stands among the most theologically significant temporal words in Ecclesiastical Latin. From the foundational dating system annō Dominī (in the year of the Lord) to the sacred concept of the annus jubileus (Jubilee Year), this second-declension masculine noun pervades Catholic liturgy, Scripture, and ecclesiastical documents.
The word appears at a pivotal moment in the Gospels when Christ, reading from Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth, proclaims the coming of the annum Dominī acceptum—the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:19). This proclamation establishes the theological foundation for the Church’s celebration of Holy Years, wherein plenary indulgences remit the temporal punishment due to sin.
In this lesson, we explore annus through authentic ecclesiastical contexts: the liturgical calendar, papal documents, Vulgate Scripture, and the rich tradition of Catholic temporal theology.
Course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “annus” mean in Ecclesiastical Latin? Annus is a second-declension masculine noun meaning “year.” In ecclesiastical contexts, it carries profound theological weight, referring to sacred time, liturgical cycles, and divine dispensation. The phrase annō Dominī (”in the year of the Lord”) established the Western dating system still used today.
Key Takeaways: -
Annus is a 2nd declension masculine noun (genitive: annī) -
Ecclesiastical pronunciation: /ˈan.nus/ with geminate nn fully articulated -
Central to Catholic temporal theology: Jubilee Years, liturgical cycles, dating systems -
Appears in crucial Vulgate passages (Luke 4:19, Leviticus 25:10) -
Governs multiple case constructions for expressing time
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167.1a Annus year-NOM novus new-NOM vēnit comes
167.1b Annus (/ˈan.nus/) year-NOM novus (/ˈno.vus/) new-NOM vēnit (/ˈve.nit/) comes
167.2a Hic this-NOM annus year-NOM sanctus holy-NOM est is
167.2b Hic (/hik/) this-NOM annus (/ˈan.nus/) year-NOM sanctus (/ˈsaŋk.tus/) holy-NOM est (/est/) is
167.3a Annī of-year-GEN initium beginning-NOM celebrāmus we-celebrate
167.3b Annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN initium (/i.ˈni.tsi.um/) beginning-NOM celebrāmus (/tʃe.le.ˈbra.mus/) we-celebrate
167.4a Per through annum year-ACC ōrāmus we-pray
167.4b Per (/per/) through annum (/ˈan.num/) year-ACC ōrāmus (/o.ˈra.mus/) we-pray
167.5a Annō in-year-ABL Dominī of-Lord-GEN vīvimus we-live
167.5b Annō (/ˈan.no/) in-year-ABL Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN vīvimus (/ˈvi.vi.mus/) we-live
167.6a Hōc this-ABL annō in-year-ABL Ecclesia Church-NOM iubileum jubilee-ACC celebrat celebrates
167.6b Hōc (/hok/) this-ABL annō (/ˈan.no/) in-year-ABL Ecclesia (/ek.ˈkle.zi.a/) Church-NOM iubileum (/ju.bi.ˈle.um/) jubilee-ACC celebrat (/ˈtʃe.le.brat/) celebrates
167.7a Fīnis end-NOM annī of-year-GEN liturgicī liturgical-GEN appropinquat approaches
167.7b Fīnis (/ˈfi.nis/) end-NOM annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN liturgicī (/li.ˈtur.dʒi.tʃi/) liturgical-GEN appropinquat (/ap.pro.ˈpiŋ.kwat/) approaches
167.8a Multīs many-ABL annīs years-ABL fidēlēs faithful-NOM Rōmam Rome-ACC peregrinātī have-traveled sunt are
167.8b Multīs (/ˈmul.tis/) many-ABL annīs (/ˈan.nis/) years-ABL fidēlēs (/fi.ˈde.les/) faithful-NOM Rōmam (/ˈro.mam/) Rome-ACC peregrinātī (/pe.re.gri.ˈna.ti/) have-traveled sunt (/sunt/) are
167.9a Annus year-NOM grātiae of-grace-GEN ā from Dominō Lord-ABL datur is-given
167.9b Annus (/ˈan.nus/) year-NOM grātiae (/ˈgra.tsi.e/) of-grace-GEN ā (/a/) from Dominō (/ˈdo.mi.no/) Lord-ABL datur (/ˈda.tur/) is-given
167.10a Cursus course-NOM annōrum of-years-GEN Deī of-God-GEN prōvidentiam providence-ACC ostendit shows
167.10b Cursus (/ˈkur.sus/) course-NOM annōrum (/an.ˈno.rum/) of-years-GEN Deī (/ˈde.i/) of-God-GEN prōvidentiam (/pro.vi.ˈden.tsi.am/) providence-ACC ostendit (/os.ˈten.dit/) shows
167.11a Praedicāre to-preach annum year-ACC Dominī of-Lord-GEN acceptum acceptable-ACC Chrīstus Christ-NOM vēnit came
167.11b Praedicāre (/pre.di.ˈka.re/) to-preach annum (/ˈan.num/) year-ACC Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN acceptum (/ak.ˈtʃep.tum/) acceptable-ACC Chrīstus (/ˈkris.tus/) Christ-NOM vēnit (/ˈve.nit/) came
167.12a Annō in-year-ABL iubilaeī of-jubilee-GEN porta door-NOM sancta holy-NOM aperitur is-opened
167.12b Annō (/ˈan.no/) in-year-ABL iubilaeī (/ju.bi.ˈle.i/) of-jubilee-GEN porta (/ˈpor.ta/) door-NOM sancta (/ˈsaŋk.ta/) holy-NOM aperitur (/a.ˈpe.ri.tur/) is-opened
167.13a Quīnquāgintā fifty annōs years-ACC secundum according-to lēgem law-ACC Mōsaicam Mosaic-ACC iubileum jubilee-ACC celebrābant they-celebrated
167.13b Quīnquāgintā (/kwin.kwa.ˈdʒin.ta/) fifty annōs (/ˈan.nos/) years-ACC secundum (/se.ˈkun.dum/) according-to lēgem (/ˈle.dʒem/) law-ACC Mōsaicam (/mo.ˈza.i.kam/) Mosaic-ACC iubileum (/ju.bi.ˈle.um/) jubilee-ACC celebrābant (/tʃe.le.ˈbra.bant/) they-celebrated
167.14a Sanctificābis you-shall-sanctify annum year-ACC quīnquāgēsimum fiftieth-ACC et and prōclāmābis you-shall-proclaim remissiōnem remission-ACC
167.14b Sanctificābis (/saŋk.ti.fi.ˈka.bis/) you-shall-sanctify annum (/ˈan.num/) year-ACC quīnquāgēsimum (/kwin.kwa.ˈdʒe.zi.mum/) fiftieth-ACC et (/et/) and prōclāmābis (/pro.kla.ˈma.bis/) you-shall-proclaim remissiōnem (/re.mis.si.ˈo.nem/) remission-ACC
167.15a Centēsimō hundredth-ABL annō in-year-ABL ab from encyclicā encyclical-ABL Rērum of-things-GEN Novārum new-GEN Iōannēs John-NOM Paulus Paul-NOM scrīpsit wrote
167.15b Centēsimō (/tʃen.ˈte.zi.mo/) hundredth-ABL annō (/ˈan.no/) in-year-ABL ab (/ab/) from encyclicā (/en.ˈtʃi.kli.ka/) encyclical-ABL Rērum (/ˈre.rum/) of-things-GEN Novārum (/no.ˈva.rum/) new-GEN Iōannēs (/jo.ˈan.nes/) John-NOM Paulus (/ˈpau.lus/) Paul-NOM scrīpsit (/ˈskrip.sit/) wrote
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167.1 Annus novus vēnit. “The new year comes.”
167.2 Hic annus sanctus est. “This year is holy.”
167.3 Annī initium celebrāmus. “We celebrate the beginning of the year.”
167.4 Per annum ōrāmus. “We pray throughout the year.”
167.5 Annō Dominī vīvimus. “We live in the year of the Lord.”
167.6 Hōc annō Ecclesia iubileum celebrat. “In this year the Church celebrates a jubilee.”
167.7 Fīnis annī liturgicī appropinquat. “The end of the liturgical year approaches.”
167.8 Multīs annīs fidēlēs Rōmam peregrinātī sunt. “For many years the faithful have made pilgrimage to Rome.”
167.9 Annus grātiae ā Dominō datur. “The year of grace is given by the Lord.”
167.10 Cursus annōrum Deī prōvidentiam ostendit. “The course of years shows the providence of God.”
167.11 Praedicāre annum Dominī acceptum Chrīstus vēnit. “Christ came to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
167.12 Annō iubilaeī porta sancta aperitur. “In the jubilee year the holy door is opened.”
167.13 Quīnquāgintā annōs secundum lēgem Mōsaicam iubileum celebrābant. “Every fifty years they celebrated the jubilee according to the Mosaic law.”
167.14 Sanctificābis annum quīnquāgēsimum et prōclāmābis remissiōnem. “You shall sanctify the fiftieth year and proclaim remission.”
167.15 Centēsimō annō ab encyclicā Rērum Novārum Iōannēs Paulus scrīpsit. “In the hundredth year from the encyclical Rerum Novarum, John Paul wrote.”
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167.1 Annus novus vēnit.
167.2 Hic annus sanctus est.
167.3 Annī initium celebrāmus.
167.4 Per annum ōrāmus.
167.5 Annō Dominī vīvimus.
167.6 Hōc annō Ecclesia iubileum celebrat.
167.7 Fīnis annī liturgicī appropinquat.
167.8 Multīs annīs fidēlēs Rōmam peregrinātī sunt.
167.9 Annus grātiae ā Dominō datur.
167.10 Cursus annōrum Deī prōvidentiam ostendit.
167.11 Praedicāre annum Dominī acceptum Chrīstus vēnit.
167.12 Annō iubilaeī porta sancta aperitur.
167.13 Quīnquāgintā annōs secundum lēgem Mōsaicam iubileum celebrābant.
167.14 Sanctificābis annum quīnquāgēsimum et prōclāmābis remissiōnem.
167.15 Centēsimō annō ab encyclicā Rērum Novārum Iōannēs Paulus scrīpsit.
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These are the grammar rules for annus in Ecclesiastical Latin:
Annus is a regular second-declension masculine noun following the -us/-ī pattern. It declines as follows:
Singular Forms: Nominative: annus (/ˈan.nus/) — the year (subject) Genitive: annī (/ˈan.ni/) — of the year Dative: annō (/ˈan.no/) — to/for the year Accusative: annum (/ˈan.num/) — the year (direct object) Ablative: annō (/ˈan.no/) — by/with/from/in the year Vocative: anne (/ˈan.ne/) — O year!
Plural Forms: Nominative: annī (/ˈan.ni/) — the years (subject) Genitive: annōrum (/an.ˈno.rum/) — of the years Dative: annīs (/ˈan.nis/) — to/for the years Accusative: annōs (/ˈan.nos/) — the years (direct object) Ablative: annīs (/ˈan.nis/) — by/with/from/in the years Vocative: annī (/ˈan.ni/) — O years!
Temporal Constructions with annus:
The ablative of time when uses annō without a preposition to indicate “in a year”: Hōc annō = “in this year”; Annō Dominī mīllēsimō = “in the year of the Lord one thousand.”
The accusative of duration uses annum/annōs with per or alone to indicate “for a year/years”: Per annum = “throughout the year”; Multōs annōs = “for many years.”
The genitive of description expresses age: Homō trīgintā annōrum = “a man of thirty years.”
Pronunciation Note: The geminate consonant nn must be fully articulated in Ecclesiastical Latin. This distinguishes annus (year) from ānus (old woman). Hold the /n/ sound slightly longer: /ˈan.nus/ not /ˈa.nus/.
Common Mistakes:
English speakers often underpronounce the double nn, creating ambiguity. The -ōrum genitive plural ending carries stress on the penult syllable due to its long ō: an-NŌ-rum, not AN-no-rum. The dative/ablative plural annīs should have a long final -īs.
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The Sacred Significance of the Year in Catholic Tradition:
The concept of annus carries profound theological weight in Catholic thought. Time itself becomes sacred when dedicated to God, and the Church has developed elaborate systems for sanctifying the passage of years.
Annō Dominī (A.D.): The Western dating system, literally “in the year of the Lord,” was introduced by the monk Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD. This system places Christ’s Incarnation at the center of human history, making every year a reminder of divine intervention in time.
Annus Iubilaeus (Jubilee Year): Drawing from Leviticus 25:10, the Church established the Holy Year tradition with Pope Boniface VIII’s bull Antiquōrum fida relātiō in 1300. Originally celebrated every 100 years, then 50, and now every 25 years, the Jubilee grants plenary indulgences to pilgrims visiting Rome’s major basilicas.
Annus Liturgicus (Liturgical Year): The Church organizes sacred time through the liturgical calendar: Advent prepares for Christ’s coming; Christmas celebrates the Nativity; Lent leads to Easter; Ordinary Time unfolds the mysteries of faith. This annual cycle sanctifies all human experience within the framework of salvation history.
Idiomatic Expressions: Annus mirabilis = “wonderful year” (year of wonders) Annus horribilis = “horrible year” (year of disasters) In annō salūtis = “in the year of salvation” Ab annō condītae urbis = “from the year of the founded city” (Roman dating)
The most recent ordinary Jubilee Year began on December 24, 2024, and extends through January 6, 2026—a “Year of Hope” proclaimed by Pope Francis.
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Source: Vulgate, Luke 4:18-19 (St. Jerome, c. 405 AD) Christ’s proclamation in the synagogue at Nazareth
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Spīritus spirit-NOM Dominī of-Lord-GEN super upon mē me-ACC
Spīritus (/ˈspi.ri.tus/) spirit-NOM Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN super (/ˈsu.per/) upon mē (/me/) me-ACC
propter because-of quod which ūnxit anointed mē me-ACC
propter (/ˈprop.ter/) because-of quod (/kwod/) which ūnxit (/ˈuŋk.sit/) anointed mē (/me/) me-ACC
ēvangelizāre to-bring-good-news pauperibus to-poor-DAT mīsit sent mē me-ACC
ēvangelizāre (/e.van.dʒe.li.ˈdza.re/) to-bring-good-news pauperibus (/pau.ˈpe.ri.bus/) to-poor-DAT mīsit (/ˈmi.zit/) sent mē (/me/) me-ACC
praedicāre to-proclaim captīvīs to-captives-DAT remissiōnem release-ACC
praedicāre (/pre.di.ˈka.re/) to-proclaim captīvīs (/kap.ˈti.vis/) to-captives-DAT remissiōnem (/re.mis.si.ˈo.nem/) release-ACC
et and caecīs to-blind-DAT vīsum sight-ACC
et (/et/) and caecīs (/ˈtʃe.tʃis/) to-blind-DAT vīsum (/ˈvi.zum/) sight-ACC
praedicāre to-proclaim annum year-ACC Dominī of-Lord-GEN acceptum acceptable-ACC
praedicāre (/pre.di.ˈka.re/) to-proclaim annum (/ˈan.num/) year-ACC Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN acceptum (/ak.ˈtʃep.tum/) acceptable-ACC
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
Spīritus Dominī super mē, propter quod ūnxit mē; ēvangelizāre pauperibus mīsit mē, praedicāre captīvīs remissiōnem et caecīs vīsum, praedicāre annum Dominī acceptum.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and sight to the blind, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
F-C: Latin Text Only
Spīritus Dominī super mē, propter quod ūnxit mē; ēvangelizāre pauperibus mīsit mē, praedicāre captīvīs remissiōnem et caecīs vīsum, praedicāre annum Dominī acceptum.
F-D: Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
This passage from the Vulgate translates the Greek of Luke, which itself quotes Isaiah 61:1-2. The phrase annum Dominī acceptum (literally “the year of the Lord accepted/acceptable”) refers to the Jubilee year of divine favor. The accusative annum serves as the direct object of the infinitive praedicāre (to proclaim). Acceptum is a perfect passive participle agreeing with annum in gender, number, and case.
St. Jerome’s translation captures the Hebrew prophetic expectation of a time when God would restore Israel—now fulfilled in Christ’s ministry. This text became the scriptural foundation for the Church’s Jubilee tradition.
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167.16a Annus year-NOM liturgicus liturgical-NOM cum with Adventū Advent-ABL incipit begins
167.16b Annus (/ˈan.nus/) year-NOM liturgicus (/li.ˈtur.dʒi.kus/) liturgical-NOM cum (/kum/) with Adventū (/ad.ˈven.tu/) Advent-ABL incipit (/ˈin.tʃi.pit/) begins
167.17a Prīmō first-ABL annī of-year-GEN tempore in-season-ABL Dominī of-Lord-GEN adventum coming-ACC exspectāmus we-await
167.17b Prīmō (/ˈpri.mo/) first-ABL annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN tempore (/ˈtem.po.re/) in-season-ABL Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN adventum (/ad.ˈven.tum/) coming-ACC exspectāmus (/eks.pek.ˈta.mus/) we-await
167.18a Nātīvitātem Nativity-ACC Dominī of-Lord-GEN dīe on-day-ABL vīcēsimō twentieth-ABL quīntō fifth-ABL mēnsis of-month-GEN Decembris of-December-GEN celebrāmus we-celebrate
167.18b Nātīvitātem (/na.ti.vi.ˈta.tem/) Nativity-ACC Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN dīe (/ˈdi.e/) on-day-ABL vīcēsimō (/vi.ˈtʃe.zi.mo/) twentieth-ABL quīntō (/ˈkwin.to/) fifth-ABL mēnsis (/ˈmen.sis/) of-month-GEN Decembris (/de.ˈtʃem.bris/) of-December-GEN celebrāmus (/tʃe.le.ˈbra.mus/) we-celebrate
167.19a Per through tōtum whole-ACC annum year-ACC mystēria mysteries-ACC fideī of-faith-GEN commemorāmus we-commemorate
167.19b Per (/per/) through tōtum (/ˈto.tum/) whole-ACC annum (/ˈan.num/) year-ACC mystēria (/mis.ˈte.ri.a/) mysteries-ACC fideī (/ˈfi.de.i/) of-faith-GEN commemorāmus (/kom.me.mo.ˈra.mus/) we-commemorate
167.20a Tempus time-NOM Quadrāgēsimae of-Lent-GEN quādrāgintā forty diēs days-ACC ante before Pascha Easter-ACC dūrat lasts
167.20b Tempus (/ˈtem.pus/) time-NOM Quadrāgēsimae (/kwa.dra.ˈdʒe.zi.me/) of-Lent-GEN quādrāgintā (/kwa.dra.ˈdʒin.ta/) forty diēs (/ˈdi.es/) days-ACC ante (/ˈan.te/) before Pascha (/ˈpas.ka/) Easter-ACC dūrat (/ˈdu.rat/) lasts
167.21a Singulis each-ABL annīs years-ABL Resurrectiōnem Resurrection-ACC Dominī of-Lord-GEN magnō great-ABL cum with gaudiō joy-ABL celebrāmus we-celebrate
167.21b Singulis (/ˈsiŋ.gu.lis/) each-ABL annīs (/ˈan.nis/) years-ABL Resurrectiōnem (/re.zur.rek.tsi.ˈo.nem/) Resurrection-ACC Dominī (/ˈdo.mi.ni/) of-Lord-GEN magnō (/ˈmaɲ.ɲo/) great-ABL cum (/kum/) with gaudiō (/ˈgau.di.o/) joy-ABL celebrāmus (/tʃe.le.ˈbra.mus/) we-celebrate
167.22a Quīnquāgintā fifty diēbus days-ABL post after Pascha Easter-ACC Pentecosten Pentecost-ACC celebrāmus we-celebrate
167.22b Quīnquāgintā (/kwin.kwa.ˈdʒin.ta/) fifty diēbus (/ˈdi.e.bus/) days-ABL post (/post/) after Pascha (/ˈpas.ka/) Easter-ACC Pentecosten (/pen.te.ˈkos.ten/) Pentecost-ACC celebrāmus (/tʃe.le.ˈbra.mus/) we-celebrate
167.23a Tempore in-time-ABL ōrdināriō ordinary-ABL annī of-year-GEN vītam life-ACC Chrīstī of-Christ-GEN contemplāmur we-contemplate
167.23b Tempore (/ˈtem.po.re/) in-time-ABL ōrdināriō (/or.di.ˈna.ri.o/) ordinary-ABL annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN vītam (/ˈvi.tam/) life-ACC Chrīstī (/ˈkris.ti/) of-Christ-GEN contemplāmur (/kon.tem.ˈpla.mur/) we-contemplate
167.24a Fēsta feasts-NOM Sanctōrum of-saints-GEN per throughout annum year-ACC distribuuntur are-distributed
167.24b Fēsta (/ˈfes.ta/) feasts-NOM Sanctōrum (/saŋk.ˈto.rum/) of-saints-GEN per (/per/) throughout annum (/ˈan.num/) year-ACC distribuuntur (/dis.tri.bu.ˈun.tur/) are-distributed
167.25a Kalendārium calendar-NOM Rōmānum Roman-NOM annī of-year-GEN fēsta feasts-ACC et and sollemnitātēs solemnities-ACC indicat indicates
167.25b Kalendārium (/ka.len.ˈda.ri.um/) calendar-NOM Rōmānum (/ro.ˈma.num/) Roman-NOM annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN fēsta (/ˈfes.ta/) feasts-ACC et (/et/) and sollemnitātēs (/sol.lem.ni.ˈta.tes/) solemnities-ACC indicat (/ˈin.di.kat/) indicates
167.26a Ultimā last-ABL hebdomadā in-week-ABL annī of-year-GEN liturgicī liturgical-GEN Chrīstum Christ-ACC Rēgem King-ACC honōrāmus we-honor
167.26b Ultimā (/ˈul.ti.ma/) last-ABL hebdomadā (/heb.ˈdo.ma.da/) in-week-ABL annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN liturgicī (/li.ˈtur.dʒi.tʃi/) liturgical-GEN Chrīstum (/ˈkris.tum/) Christ-ACC Rēgem (/ˈre.dʒem/) King-ACC honōrāmus (/ho.no.ˈra.mus/) we-honor
167.27a Novō new-ABL annō in-year-ABL ineunte beginning-ABL Marīam Mary-ACC Deī of-God-GEN Genetrīcem Mother-ACC invocāmus we-invoke
167.27b Novō (/ˈno.vo/) new-ABL annō (/ˈan.no/) in-year-ABL ineunte (/i.ne.ˈun.te/) beginning-ABL Marīam (/ma.ˈri.am/) Mary-ACC Deī (/ˈde.i/) of-God-GEN Genetrīcem (/dʒe.ne.ˈtri.tʃem/) Mother-ACC invocāmus (/in.vo.ˈka.mus/) we-invoke
167.28a Annī of-year-GEN circulus cycle-NOM numquam never cessāns ceasing Deī of-God-GEN fidelitātem faithfulness-ACC testātur testifies
167.28b Annī (/ˈan.ni/) of-year-GEN circulus (/ˈtʃir.ku.lus/) cycle-NOM numquam (/ˈnum.kwam/) never cessāns (/ˈtʃes.sans/) ceasing Deī (/ˈde.i/) of-God-GEN fidelitātem (/fi.de.li.ˈta.tem/) faithfulness-ACC testātur (/tes.ˈta.tur/) testifies
167.29a Quōtannīs each-year Ecclesia Church-NOM salūtis of-salvation-GEN historiam history-ACC in in liturgiā liturgy-ABL revīvit relives
167.29b Quōtannīs (/kwot.ˈan.nis/) each-year Ecclesia (/ek.ˈkle.zi.a/) Church-NOM salūtis (/sa.ˈlu.tis/) of-salvation-GEN historiam (/his.ˈto.ri.am/) history-ACC in (/in/) in liturgiā (/li.tur.ˈdʒi.a/) liturgy-ABL revīvit (/re.ˈvi.vit/) relives
167.30a Ita thus annus year-NOM liturgicus liturgical-NOM nōs us-ACC ad toward caelestia heavenly-ACC praeparat prepares et and in in spē hope-ABL cōnfīrmat strengthens
167.30b Ita (/ˈi.ta/) thus annus (/ˈan.nus/) year-NOM liturgicus (/li.ˈtur.dʒi.kus/) liturgical-NOM nōs (/nos/) us-ACC ad (/ad/) toward caelestia (/tʃe.ˈles.tsi.a/) heavenly-ACC praeparat (/ˈpre.pa.rat/) prepares et (/et/) and in (/in/) in spē (/spe/) hope-ABL cōnfīrmat (/kon.ˈfir.mat/) strengthens
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167.16 Annus liturgicus cum Adventū incipit. “The liturgical year begins with Advent.”
167.17 Prīmō annī tempore Dominī adventum exspectāmus. “In the first season of the year we await the coming of the Lord.”
167.18 Nātīvitātem Dominī dīe vīcēsimō quīntō mēnsis Decembris celebrāmus. “We celebrate the Nativity of the Lord on the twenty-fifth day of the month of December.”
167.19 Per tōtum annum mystēria fideī commemorāmus. “Throughout the whole year we commemorate the mysteries of the faith.”
167.20 Tempus Quadrāgēsimae quādrāgintā diēs ante Pascha dūrat. “The season of Lent lasts forty days before Easter.”
167.21 Singulis annīs Resurrectiōnem Dominī magnō cum gaudiō celebrāmus. “Each year we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord with great joy.”
167.22 Quīnquāgintā diēbus post Pascha Pentecosten celebrāmus. “Fifty days after Easter we celebrate Pentecost.”
167.23 Tempore ōrdināriō annī vītam Chrīstī contemplāmur. “In the ordinary time of the year we contemplate the life of Christ.”
167.24 Fēsta Sanctōrum per annum distribuuntur. “The feasts of the saints are distributed throughout the year.”
167.25 Kalendārium Rōmānum annī fēsta et sollemnitātēs indicat. “The Roman calendar indicates the feasts and solemnities of the year.”
167.26 Ultimā hebdomadā annī liturgicī Chrīstum Rēgem honōrāmus. “In the last week of the liturgical year we honor Christ the King.”
167.27 Novō annō ineunte Marīam Deī Genetrīcem invocāmus. “At the beginning of the new year we invoke Mary the Mother of God.”
167.28 Annī circulus numquam cessāns Deī fidelitātem testātur. “The never-ceasing cycle of the year testifies to the faithfulness of God.”
167.29 Quōtannīs Ecclesia salūtis historiam in liturgiā revīvit. “Each year the Church relives the history of salvation in the liturgy.”
167.30 Ita annus liturgicus nōs ad caelestia praeparat et in spē cōnfīrmat. “Thus the liturgical year prepares us for heavenly things and strengthens us in hope.”
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167.16 Annus liturgicus cum Adventū incipit.
167.17 Prīmō annī tempore Dominī adventum exspectāmus.
167.18 Nātīvitātem Dominī dīe vīcēsimō quīntō mēnsis Decembris celebrāmus.
167.19 Per tōtum annum mystēria fideī commemorāmus.
167.20 Tempus Quadrāgēsimae quādrāgintā diēs ante Pascha dūrat.
167.21 Singulis annīs Resurrectiōnem Dominī magnō cum gaudiō celebrāmus.
167.22 Quīnquāgintā diēbus post Pascha Pentecosten celebrāmus.
167.23 Tempore ōrdināriō annī vītam Chrīstī contemplāmur.
167.24 Fēsta Sanctōrum per annum distribuuntur.
167.25 Kalendārium Rōmānum annī fēsta et sollemnitātēs indicat.
167.26 Ultimā hebdomadā annī liturgicī Chrīstum Rēgem honōrāmus.
167.27 Novō annō ineunte Marīam Deī Genetrīcem invocāmus.
167.28 Annī circulus numquam cessāns Deī fidelitātem testātur.
167.29 Quōtannīs Ecclesia salūtis historiam in liturgiā revīvit.
167.30 Ita annus liturgicus nōs ad caelestia praeparat et in spē cōnfīrmat.
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The Genre Section introduces several important grammatical features in ecclesiastical contexts:
Temporal Ablatives: Cum Adventū (with Advent), prīmō tempore (in the first season), ultimā hebdomadā (in the last week), novō annō ineunte (at the beginning of the new year) all demonstrate the ablative of time when without preposition.
The Adverb Quōtannīs: This compound adverb (from quot + annīs) means “each year” or “yearly” and serves as an elegant way to express annual recurrence.
Genitive with fēsta: The phrase fēsta Sanctōrum (feasts of the saints) shows the partitive genitive construction common in ecclesiastical writing.
Present Participle with numquam: The phrase numquam cessāns (never ceasing) demonstrates the participial construction with the negative adverb, emphasizing the eternal quality of God’s providence as reflected in the annual cycle.
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This Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course follows the Latinum Institute methodology, developed since 2006 for autodidact learners. Based on the Dickinson Core Vocabulary frequency list, lessons systematically introduce the 1000 most common Latin words through authentic ecclesiastical texts and contexts.
The construed text approach—presenting each word with grammatical information and pronunciation guidance—allows learners to absorb Latin naturally through exposure to genuine Catholic texts: the Vulgate, papal documents, liturgical prayers, and the rich treasury of Church Latin spanning two millennia.
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The interlinear format removes barriers to comprehension while building vocabulary systematically. By encountering annus in its authentic ecclesiastical settings—Jubilee proclamations, liturgical calendars, Vulgate Scripture—learners absorb not merely linguistic knowledge but entry into the living tradition of Latin Christendom.
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✓ Lesson 167 Ecclesiastical Latin complete
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