Latin at LSM

The Children's Group at Little St Mary's meets in the Parish Room during the first part of the Mass every week. The activities are planned in short sequences of about four weeks at a time, although it is not vital that a child attends every week. Two or three of these four week blocks each year are designed round investigation of the Latin texts used in Church. The children are invited to explore the way the Latin language works, and to recognise key words and phrases that occur both in the ordinary of the Mass (e.g. Gloria in excelsis, Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dona nobis pacem) and in traditional prayers and hymns (e.g. Ave Maria, Salve Regina, Pater noster, Ave verum corpus).

This teaching also provides an opportunity to develop the child's spiritual life and to encourage a growing understanding of the adult liturgical practices into which a child will be initiated. This includes understanding the traditional language rite in English (e.g. phrases such as "Hallowed be thy name", "And with thy spirit", and so on). Exploring the way in which Latin is translated into English, and the use of cases and different persons of the verbs raises awareness of the grammar and meaning of the English equivalents. Younger children in the choir attend children's group, and these "Latin in Church" sessions help them to explore the meaning of the texts they sing. It is also valuable for those who do not sing to be able to recognise the meaning of the Latin texts and thereby engage more effectively with the choir's contribution to worship.

These "Latin in Church" units are not intended to replace or replicate Latin language learning at school. They are primarily designed as a vehicle for exploring Christian theology and spirituality. Recent projects have included an investigation of the significance of the INRI inscription on the cross, and the idea of the inversion of the Fall achieved by Mary's response to the Annunciation (signified by the idea that the angel's Ave is a palindrome of "Eva" = Eve). All the sessions include opportunities for developing the ideas in art work, either as a group or individually.

Where appropriate the sessions may also include an opportunity to sing the Latin words to the traditional plainsong melodies, and to master simple conventions of plainsong notation. These activities are suitable both for older children who can read, and for younger ones who can learn the routines by ear. Even the littlest can learn to greet each other in Latin and bid each other go in peace as they return to church at the Pax.

Optional worksheets accompany these "Latin in Church" sessions of the children's group. These are suitable for children from age 7 to 95, and can be done at home in your own time. These sheets are available for download:

For more information, or if you have any suggestions, please contact Catherine Osborne.