← Latinum Institute Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course
pōnere — To Put, To Place, To Set
This is Part 207 of the Latinum Institute’s Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course, designed for autodidact students learning to read the Latin texts of the Catholic Church. Each lesson focuses on a single high-frequency word drawn from the Dickinson Core Vocabulary, with examples taken from authentic ecclesiastical sources including the Vulgate, the Roman Liturgy, and patristic writings.
The verb pōnere (pōnō, posuī, positum) is one of the most fundamental verbs in Latin, belonging to the third conjugation. In ecclesiastical contexts, this verb carries profound theological significance—God places humanity in Paradise, sets the stars in the firmament, and establishes His covenant with His people. The perfect passive participle positum gives us the English words “position,” “compose,” “deposit,” and “propose.”
FAQ: What does pōnere mean in Ecclesiastical Latin?
In Ecclesiastical Latin, pōnere means “to put, to place, to set, to establish.” This third-conjugation verb (pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum) appears throughout the Vulgate Bible and liturgical texts. God uses this verb when He places (posuit) Adam in the Garden of Paradise (Genesis 2:8), when He sets (posuit) the stars in the firmament (Genesis 1:17), and when He places (posuit) a mark upon Cain (Genesis 4:15). The verb also carries extended meanings: to lay down (one’s life), to establish (laws), to suppose (in argument), and to bury (the dead).
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
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pōnere is a third-conjugation verb with principal parts: pōnō, pōnere, posuī, positum -
The verb means “to put, place, set, establish” and appears frequently in both Scripture and liturgy -
The perfect stem changes from pon- to posu-, a key irregular feature to memorize -
The passive participle positus, -a, -um means “placed, put, set, established” -
In ecclesiastical usage, pōnere often describes divine acts of creation and ordering
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Form IPA Notes pōnere /ˈpo.ne.re/ Long ō in first syllable; stress on first syllable pōnō /ˈpo.noː/ First person singular present posuī /poˈsu.iː/ Perfect tense; note the stem change positum /ˈpo.si.tum/ Perfect passive participle (supine) posuit /ˈpo.su.it/ Third person singular perfect pōnātur /poːˈnaː.tur/ Present passive subjunctive
Note: In Ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation, the letter ‘c’ before ‘e’ or ‘i’ is pronounced /tʃ/ (like English “ch”), and ‘ae’ is pronounced /e/ (like English “ay” in “say”).
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Granular glossing for neophyte learners. Each word is independently glossed.
1.1a Deus stellās in firmāmentō posuit.
1.1b Deus (ˈde.us) God-NOM stellās (ˈstel.laːs) stars-ACC in (in) in firmāmentō (fir.maːˈmen.toː) firmament-ABL posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF
1.2a Dominus hominem in Paradīsō posuit.
1.2b Dominus (ˈdo.mi.nus) Lord-NOM hominem (ˈho.mi.nem) man-ACC in (in) in Paradīsō (pa.raːˈdiː.soː) Paradise-ABL posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF
1.3a Sacerdōs cālicem super altāre pōnit.
1.3b Sacerdōs (sa.ˈtʃer.doːs) priest-NOM cālicem (ˈkaː.li.tʃem) chalice-ACC super (ˈsu.per) upon altāre (al.ˈtaː.re) altar-ACC pōnit (ˈpoː.nit) he-places-PRES
1.4a Crūcem in locō sanctō pōnimus.
1.4b Crūcem (ˈkruː.tʃem) cross-ACC in (in) in locō (ˈlo.koː) place-ABL sanctō (ˈsaŋk.toː) holy-ABL pōnimus (ˈpoː.ni.mus) we-place-PRES
1.5a Fīdēlēs candēlās ante imāginem pōnunt.
1.5b Fīdēlēs (fiːˈde.leːs) faithful-NOM-PL candēlās (kanˈde.laːs) candles-ACC ante (ˈan.te) before imāginem (i.ˈmaː.gi.nem) image-ACC pōnunt (ˈpoː.nunt) they-place-PRES
1.6a Corpus Chrīstī in sepulcrō positum est.
1.6b Corpus (ˈkor.pus) body-NOM Chrīstī (ˈkriːs.tiː) of-Christ-GEN in (in) in sepulcrō (se.ˈpul.kroː) tomb-ABL positum (ˈpo.si.tum) placed-PART-NOM est (est) is
1.7a Spēs nostra in Deō posita est.
1.7b Spēs (speːs) hope-NOM nostra (ˈnos.tra) our-NOM in (in) in Deō (ˈde.oː) God-ABL posita (ˈpo.si.ta) placed-PART-FEM est (est) is
1.8a Fundamentum aliud nēmō pōnere potest.
1.8b Fundamentum (fun.daːˈmen.tum) foundation-ACC aliud (ˈa.li.ud) other-ACC nēmō (ˈneː.moː) no-one-NOM pōnere (ˈpoː.ne.re) to-place-INF potest (ˈpo.test) is-able-PRES
1.9a Lēgem novam Dominus in cordibus nostrīs pōnit.
1.9b Lēgem (ˈleː.gem) law-ACC novam (ˈno.vam) new-ACC Dominus (ˈdo.mi.nus) Lord-NOM in (in) in cordibus (ˈkor.di.bus) hearts-ABL nostrīs (ˈnos.triːs) our-ABL pōnit (ˈpoː.nit) he-places-PRES
1.10a Signum Cain Deus posuit.
1.10b Signum (ˈsiŋ.num) sign-ACC Cain (ˈka.in) Cain-DAT Deus (ˈde.us) God-NOM posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF
1.11a Petrus ad pedēs Apostolōrum pecūniam posuit.
1.11b Petrus (ˈpe.trus) Peter-NOM ad (ad) at pedēs (ˈpe.deːs) feet-ACC Apostolōrum (a.pos.toˈloː.rum) of-Apostles-GEN pecūniam (pe.ˈkuː.ni.am) money-ACC posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF
1.12a Christus animam suam prō nōbīs posuit.
1.12b Christus (ˈkris.tus) Christ-NOM animam (ˈa.ni.mam) soul-ACC suam (ˈsu.am) his-own-ACC prō (proː) for nōbīs (ˈnoː.biːs) us-ABL posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-laid-down-PERF
1.13a Episcopus manūs super caput ōrdinandī pōnēbat.
1.13b Episcopus (e.ˈpis.ko.pus) bishop-NOM manūs (ˈma.nuːs) hands-ACC super (ˈsu.per) upon caput (ˈka.put) head-ACC ōrdinandī (oːr.di.ˈnan.diː) of-one-to-be-ordained-GEN pōnēbat (poːˈneː.bat) he-was-placing-IMPERF
1.14a Līber in mensā altāris positus erat.
1.14b Līber (ˈliː.ber) book-NOM in (in) on mensā (ˈmen.saː) table-ABL altāris (al.ˈtaː.ris) of-altar-GEN positus (ˈpo.si.tus) placed-PART-MASC erat (ˈe.rat) was
1.15a Pōne, Domine, custōdiam ōrī meō.
1.15b Pōne (ˈpoː.ne) put-IMPER Domine (ˈdo.mi.ne) Lord-VOC custōdiam (kus.ˈtoː.di.am) guard-ACC ōrī (ˈoː.riː) to-mouth-DAT meō (ˈme.oː) my-DAT
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The same 15 sentences with idiomatic English translations.
1.1 Deus stellās in firmāmentō posuit. → “God placed the stars in the firmament.”
1.2 Dominus hominem in Paradīsō posuit. → “The Lord placed man in Paradise.”
1.3 Sacerdōs cālicem super altāre pōnit. → “The priest places the chalice upon the altar.”
1.4 Crūcem in locō sanctō pōnimus. → “We place the cross in the holy place.”
1.5 Fīdēlēs candēlās ante imāginem pōnunt. → “The faithful place candles before the image.”
1.6 Corpus Chrīstī in sepulcrō positum est. → “The body of Christ was placed in the tomb.”
1.7 Spēs nostra in Deō posita est. → “Our hope is placed in God.”
1.8 Fundamentum aliud nēmō pōnere potest. → “No one can lay another foundation.”
1.9 Lēgem novam Dominus in cordibus nostrīs pōnit. → “The Lord places the new law in our hearts.”
1.10 Signum Cain Deus posuit. → “God placed a mark upon Cain.”
1.11 Petrus ad pedēs Apostolōrum pecūniam posuit. → “Peter placed the money at the feet of the Apostles.”
1.12 Christus animam suam prō nōbīs posuit. → “Christ laid down his life for us.”
1.13 Episcopus manūs super caput ōrdinandī pōnēbat. → “The bishop was laying hands upon the head of the one to be ordained.”
1.14 Līber in mensā altāris positus erat. → “The book had been placed on the table of the altar.”
1.15 Pōne, Domine, custōdiam ōrī meō. → “Set, O Lord, a guard upon my mouth.”
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Latin sentences without translation or glossing.
1.1 Deus stellās in firmāmentō posuit.
1.2 Dominus hominem in Paradīsō posuit.
1.3 Sacerdōs cālicem super altāre pōnit.
1.4 Crūcem in locō sanctō pōnimus.
1.5 Fīdēlēs candēlās ante imāginem pōnunt.
1.6 Corpus Chrīstī in sepulcrō positum est.
1.7 Spēs nostra in Deō posita est.
1.8 Fundamentum aliud nēmō pōnere potest.
1.9 Lēgem novam Dominus in cordibus nostrīs pōnit.
1.10 Signum Cain Deus posuit.
1.11 Petrus ad pedēs Apostolōrum pecūniam posuit.
1.12 Christus animam suam prō nōbīs posuit.
1.13 Episcopus manūs super caput ōrdinandī pōnēbat.
1.14 Līber in mensā altāris positus erat.
1.15 Pōne, Domine, custōdiam ōrī meō.
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Grammar Rules for This Passage
The verb pōnere belongs to the third conjugation, one of the most common verb classes in Latin. Understanding its conjugation pattern is essential for reading ecclesiastical texts.
Principal Parts: -
pōnō (I place) — present active indicative, 1st singular -
pōnere (to place) — present active infinitive -
posuī (I placed) — perfect active indicative, 1st singular -
positum (having been placed) — perfect passive participle / supine
Key Irregular Feature: The perfect stem changes from pon- to posu-. This is an important irregularity to memorize, as most third-conjugation verbs form their perfect differently.
Present Tense Active: -
pōnō, pōnis, pōnit, pōnimus, pōnitis, pōnunt
Perfect Tense Active: -
posuī, posuistī, posuit, posuimus, posuistis, posuērunt
Passive Periphrastic Construction: When combined with esse, the participle positus/a/um creates the perfect passive: positum est (it has been placed), posita est (she/it has been placed).
Common Constructions with pōnere: -
Accusative + Location (in + Ablative): “to place something in a place” -
Deus stellās in firmāmentō posuit — God placed the stars in the firmament -
Accusative + super + Accusative: “to place upon” -
Sacerdōs cālicem super altāre pōnit — The priest places the chalice upon the altar -
Accusative + ante + Accusative: “to place before” -
Candēlās ante imāginem pōnunt — They place candles before the image -
animam pōnere prō + Ablative: “to lay down one’s life for” -
Christus animam suam prō nōbīs posuit — Christ laid down his life for us
Compound Verbs: pōnere forms many important compounds: -
compōnere — to put together, compose -
dēpōnere — to put down, lay aside, depose -
expōnere — to set forth, explain, expose -
impōnere — to place upon, impose -
prōpōnere — to set forth, propose -
suppōnere — to put under, suppose
Common Mistake: Students often confuse pōnere (to place) with potēre (to be able). Note the different vowels: pōnere vs. potēre.
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The Placing of Things in Catholic Worship
The verb pōnere permeates Catholic liturgical practice. In the celebration of the Mass, the priest pōnit (places) the sacred vessels upon the altar, arranging the corporal, the chalice, and the paten with precise ritual gestures. Each placement carries symbolic weight: the chalice holds the wine that will become the Precious Blood; the paten holds the bread that will become the Body of Christ.
Genesis and Divine Ordering
The Vulgate uses posuit repeatedly in the creation narrative. When God creates the luminaries, Jerome writes: Et posuit eās in firmāmentō caelī — “And He placed them in the firmament of heaven” (Genesis 1:17). This divine “placing” represents God’s ordering of creation, His establishment of cosmic harmony.
Similarly, the placement of Adam in Paradise is described with this verb: in quō posuit hominem quem formāverat — “in which He placed the man whom He had formed” (Genesis 2:8). Humanity’s original dwelling was a placement by God, a setting in the garden of delights.
Laying Down One’s Life
One of the most theologically significant uses of pōnere appears in Christ’s words about the Good Shepherd: Bonus pāstor animam suam pōnit prō ovibus suīs — “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11). Here pōnere animam means to lay down, surrender, or sacrifice one’s life. This usage echoes throughout Christian spirituality and martyrology.
The Laying On of Hands
In the sacrament of Holy Orders, the bishop pōnit manūs (lays hands) upon the ordinand’s head. This gesture of impositiō manuum (laying on of hands) transmits apostolic authority and sacramental grace. The verb impōnere (a compound of pōnere) specifically denotes this sacred action.
Register and Usage
pōnere is a standard verb appropriate for all registers of Latin. In liturgical texts, it appears in both direct commands (Pōne, Domine... — “Set, O Lord...”) and narrative descriptions. The participial form positus frequently describes the state of sacred objects or persons.
Reminder: This lesson is designed for English speakers learning Ecclesiastical Latin.
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From the Vulgate Bible: Genesis 2:8, 15 (Jerome’s Translation)
Part F-A: Interleaved Construed Text
Plantāverat (plan.ˈtaː.ve.rat) he-had-planted-PLUPERF autem (ˈau.tem) moreover Dominus (ˈdo.mi.nus) Lord-NOM Deus (ˈde.us) God-NOM Paradīsum (pa.raːˈdiː.sum) Paradise-ACC voluptātis (vo.lup.ˈtaː.tis) of-delight-GEN ā (aː) from prīncipiō (priːnˈtʃi.pi.oː) beginning-ABL in (in) in quō (kwoː) which-ABL posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF hominem (ˈho.mi.nem) man-ACC quem (kwem) whom-ACC formāverat (for.ˈmaː.ve.rat) he-had-formed-PLUPERF
Tulit (ˈtu.lit) he-took-PERF ergō (ˈer.goː) therefore Dominus (ˈdo.mi.nus) Lord-NOM Deus (ˈde.us) God-NOM hominem (ˈho.mi.nem) man-ACC et (et) and posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF eum (ˈe.um) him-ACC in (in) in Paradīsō (pa.raːˈdiː.soː) Paradise-ABL voluptātis (vo.lup.ˈtaː.tis) of-delight-GEN ut (ut) so-that operārētur (o.pe.ˈraː.reː.tur) he-might-work-SUBJ et (et) and custōdīret (kus.toːˈdiː.ret) he-might-guard-SUBJ illum (ˈil.lum) it-ACC
Part F-B: The Text with Translation
Plantāverat autem Dominus Deus Paradīsum voluptātis ā prīncipiō, in quō posuit hominem quem formāverat.
→ “Now the Lord God had planted a Paradise of delight from the beginning, in which He placed the man whom He had formed.”
Tulit ergō Dominus Deus hominem et posuit eum in Paradīsō voluptātis, ut operārētur et custōdīret illum.
→ “The Lord God therefore took the man and placed him in the Paradise of delight, that he might work it and keep it.”
Part F-C: Original Latin Text Only
Plantāverat autem Dominus Deus Paradīsum voluptātis ā prīncipiō, in quō posuit hominem quem formāverat. Tulit ergō Dominus Deus hominem et posuit eum in Paradīsō voluptātis, ut operārētur et custōdīret illum.
Part F-D: Grammar Commentary
This passage from Genesis displays Jerome’s translation style at its most elegant. Note how posuit appears twice, emphasizing God’s deliberate placement of humanity in Paradise.
Pluperfect Tense: Plantāverat (he had planted) and formāverat (he had formed) are pluperfect active indicative forms, indicating actions completed before the main narrative action. God had already planted Paradise and formed man before He placed (posuit, perfect tense) the man within it.
Relative Clause: in quō posuit hominem quem formāverat — “in which he placed the man whom he had formed.” The relative pronoun quō (ablative) refers back to Paradīsum, while quem (accusative) refers to hominem.
Purpose Clause: ut operārētur et custōdīret — “that he might work and might guard.” The subjunctive mood (operārētur, custōdīret) follows ut to express purpose. Note the deponent verb operārētur (passive form with active meaning).
Vocabulary Note: Paradīsus voluptātis (Paradise of delight) is Jerome’s translation of the Hebrew gan ʿēden (Garden of Eden). The genitive voluptātis describes the character of this garden—a place of pleasure and delight.
Theological Significance: The repeated use of posuit underscores that humanity’s original state was one of divine placement. God did not merely create humans and leave them; He placed them in a prepared dwelling. This act of placement implies purpose, care, and providence.
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A homiletic passage in the style of patristic preaching, focusing on Christ who lays down His life.
Part G-A: Interlinear Construed Text
1.16a Bonus pāstor animam suam prō ovibus pōnit.
1.16b Bonus (ˈbo.nus) good-NOM pāstor (ˈpaːs.tor) shepherd-NOM animam (ˈa.ni.mam) soul-ACC suam (ˈsu.am) his-own-ACC prō (proː) for ovibus (ˈo.vi.bus) sheep-ABL pōnit (ˈpoː.nit) he-lays-down-PRES
1.17a Mercēnārius autem animam suam nōn pōnit.
1.17b Mercēnārius (mer.tʃeːˈnaː.ri.us) hireling-NOM autem (ˈau.tem) however animam (ˈa.ni.mam) soul-ACC suam (ˈsu.am) his-own-ACC nōn (noːn) not pōnit (ˈpoː.nit) he-lays-down-PRES
1.18a Quis animam suam prō amīcīs pōnere parātus est?
1.18b Quis (kwis) who-NOM animam (ˈa.ni.mam) soul-ACC suam (ˈsu.am) his-own-ACC prō (proː) for amīcīs (aˈmiː.tʃiːs) friends-ABL pōnere (ˈpoː.ne.re) to-lay-down-INF parātus (paˈraː.tus) prepared-PART est (est) is
1.19a Maior amor nūllus est quam ut animam pōnat quis.
1.19b Maior (ˈma.jor) greater-NOM amor (ˈa.mor) love-NOM nūllus (ˈnuːl.lus) no-NOM est (est) is quam (kwam) than ut (ut) that animam (ˈa.ni.mam) soul-ACC pōnat (ˈpoː.nat) he-may-lay-down-SUBJ quis (kwis) someone-NOM
1.20a Christus in cruce corpus suum posuit.
1.20b Christus (ˈkris.tus) Christ-NOM in (in) on cruce (ˈkruː.tʃe) cross-ABL corpus (ˈkor.pus) body-ACC suum (ˈsu.um) his-own-ACC posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF
1.21a Dīscipulī fidem in Magistrō posuērunt.
1.21b Dīscipulī (diːsˈtʃi.pu.liː) disciples-NOM fidem (ˈfi.dem) faith-ACC in (in) in Magistrō (ma.ˈgis.troː) Master-ABL posuērunt (po.suˈeː.runt) they-placed-PERF
1.22a Nōs quoque spem nostram in Dominō pōnāmus.
1.22b Nōs (noːs) we-NOM quoque (ˈkwo.kwe) also spem (spem) hope-ACC nostram (ˈnos.tram) our-ACC in (in) in Dominō (ˈdo.mi.noː) Lord-ABL pōnāmus (poːˈnaː.mus) let-us-place-SUBJ
1.23a Ōnera vestra super Dominum pōnite.
1.23b Ōnera (ˈoː.ne.ra) burdens-ACC vestra (ˈves.tra) your-ACC super (ˈsu.per) upon Dominum (ˈdo.mi.num) Lord-ACC pōnite (ˈpoː.ni.te) place-IMPER-PL
1.24a Cūrae saeculī in corde positae animam gravant.
1.24b Cūrae (ˈkuː.rae) cares-NOM saeculī (ˈsae.ku.liː) of-world-GEN in (in) in corde (ˈkor.de) heart-ABL positae (ˈpo.si.tae) placed-PART-FEM-PL animam (ˈa.ni.mam) soul-ACC gravant (ˈgra.vant) they-burden-PRES
1.25a Thēsaurum in caelō pōnere dēbēmus.
1.25b Thēsaurum (theːˈsau.rum) treasure-ACC in (in) in caelō (ˈtʃae.loː) heaven-ABL pōnere (ˈpoː.ne.re) to-place-INF dēbēmus (deːˈbeː.mus) we-ought-PRES
1.26a Ubi thēsaurus tuus est, ibi et cor tuum positum est.
1.26b Ubi (ˈu.bi) where thēsaurus (theːˈsau.rus) treasure-NOM tuus (ˈtu.us) your-NOM est (est) is ibi (ˈi.bi) there et (et) also cor (kor) heart-NOM tuum (ˈtu.um) your-NOM positum (ˈpo.si.tum) placed-PART est (est) is
1.27a Beātī quī spem in rēsurrectiōne pōnunt.
1.27b Beātī (be.ˈaː.tiː) blessed-NOM-PL quī (kwiː) who-NOM-PL spem (spem) hope-ACC in (in) in rēsurrectiōne (reː.sur.rekˈtsi.oː.ne) resurrection-ABL pōnunt (ˈpoː.nunt) they-place-PRES
1.28a Deus Fīlium suum in mundō posuit.
1.28b Deus (ˈde.us) God-NOM Fīlium (ˈfiː.li.um) Son-ACC suum (ˈsu.um) his-own-ACC in (in) in mundō (ˈmun.doː) world-ABL posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-placed-PERF
1.29a Per passionem suam Salvātor viam salūtis posuit.
1.29b Per (per) through passionem (pas.siˈoː.nem) passion-ACC suam (ˈsu.am) his-own-ACC Salvātor (sal.ˈvaː.tor) Savior-NOM viam (ˈvi.am) way-ACC salūtis (sa.ˈluː.tis) of-salvation-GEN posuit (ˈpo.su.it) he-established-PERF
1.30a Gāudia aeterna in nōbīs pōnantur.
1.30b Gāudia (ˈgau.di.a) joys-NOM aeterna (ae.ˈter.na) eternal-NOM-PL in (in) in nōbīs (ˈnoː.biːs) us-ABL pōnantur (poːˈnan.tur) may-they-be-placed-SUBJ-PASS
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Part G-B: Natural Sentences with Translations
1.16 Bonus pāstor animam suam prō ovibus pōnit. → “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
1.17 Mercēnārius autem animam suam nōn pōnit. → “But the hireling does not lay down his life.”
1.18 Quis animam suam prō amīcīs pōnere parātus est? → “Who is prepared to lay down his life for his friends?”
1.19 Maior amor nūllus est quam ut animam pōnat quis. → “No greater love exists than that one should lay down his life.”
1.20 Christus in cruce corpus suum posuit. → “Christ placed his body upon the cross.”
1.21 Dīscipulī fidem in Magistrō posuērunt. → “The disciples placed their faith in the Master.”
1.22 Nōs quoque spem nostram in Dominō pōnāmus. → “Let us also place our hope in the Lord.”
1.23 Ōnera vestra super Dominum pōnite. → “Place your burdens upon the Lord.”
1.24 Cūrae saeculī in corde positae animam gravant. → “The cares of the world placed in the heart burden the soul.”
1.25 Thēsaurum in caelō pōnere dēbēmus. → “We ought to lay up treasure in heaven.”
1.26 Ubi thēsaurus tuus est, ibi et cor tuum positum est. → “Where your treasure is, there also is your heart placed.”
1.27 Beātī quī spem in rēsurrectiōne pōnunt. → “Blessed are those who place their hope in the resurrection.”
1.28 Deus Fīlium suum in mundō posuit. → “God placed His Son in the world.”
1.29 Per passionem suam Salvātor viam salūtis posuit. → “Through his passion, the Savior established the way of salvation.”
1.30 Gāudia aeterna in nōbīs pōnantur. → “May eternal joys be placed in us.”
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Part G-C: Latin Text Only
1.16 Bonus pāstor animam suam prō ovibus pōnit.
1.17 Mercēnārius autem animam suam nōn pōnit.
1.18 Quis animam suam prō amīcīs pōnere parātus est?
1.19 Maior amor nūllus est quam ut animam pōnat quis.
1.20 Christus in cruce corpus suum posuit.
1.21 Dīscipulī fidem in Magistrō posuērunt.
1.22 Nōs quoque spem nostram in Dominō pōnāmus.
1.23 Ōnera vestra super Dominum pōnite.
1.24 Cūrae saeculī in corde positae animam gravant.
1.25 Thēsaurum in caelō pōnere dēbēmus.
1.26 Ubi thēsaurus tuus est, ibi et cor tuum positum est.
1.27 Beātī quī spem in rēsurrectiōne pōnunt.
1.28 Deus Fīlium suum in mundō posuit.
1.29 Per passionem suam Salvātor viam salūtis posuit.
1.30 Gāudia aeterna in nōbīs pōnantur.
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Part G-D: Genre Commentary
This homiletic passage draws on the Johannine image of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and expands it with related theological themes. The expression animam pōnere prō (to lay down one’s life for) is distinctly Christian, reflecting Christ’s self-sacrifice on the cross.
Horatory Subjunctive: pōnāmus (let us place) and pōnantur (may they be placed) express exhortation and wish. These subjunctive forms are common in prayers and homilies.
Rhetorical Question: Quis animam suam prō amīcīs pōnere parātus est? — This form of address engages the listener directly, a technique frequently employed in patristic preaching.
Scriptural Echoes: The passage echoes Matthew 6:21 (Ubi thēsaurus tuus est...), Psalm 55:22 (Ōnera vestra super Dominum pōnite), and John 15:13 (Maior amor nūllus est...). Such intertextuality is characteristic of ecclesiastical Latin, where Scripture permeates all discourse.
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