October 8th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "a latere"

 October 8th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "a latere"

"a latere" 

"from the side" - can be used quite literally as "from the side" (the source of the English "lateral" and "laterally," but also used in the Catholic Church for cardinals with the confidence of the pope ("from his side") - a legatus a latere is a papal legate enjoying the special confidence of the pope. In diplomacy, a legatus a latere can be a representative plenipotentiary. The word can also be used in law for succession of property rights - hence the English word "collateral" 

a.d. VIII Idus Octobres anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

October 2nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Fiat lux!"

 October 2nd, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Fiat lux!"

"Fiat lux!" 

"Let there be light!" or "Let light be made!" (Genesis 1:3 in the Vulgate)

a.d. VI Nonas Octobres anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

April 24th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "advocatus diaboli"

   April 24th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "advocatus diaboli"

"advocatus diaboli" 

"the devil's advocate" - not what most people think! A person appointed by the Catholic church to argue against the canonization of saints, to ensure a degree of rigor in the canonization process

a.d. VIII Kalendas Maias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

March 9th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad clerum"

March 9th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "ad clerum"

"ad clerum"

"to the clergy" - id est, a proclamation by a church leader intended only for the clergy, as opposed to a proclamation ad populum ("to the people"), intended for a general audience

a.d. VII Idus Martias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

February 10th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Abyssus abyssum invocat."

 February 10th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Abyssus abyssum invocat."

"Abyssus abyssum invocat."

"Abyss calls to abyss," "Hell calls to Hell," id est, one depravity leads to another, though more literally, "Deep calls to deep."

~ Psalm 42:7

a.d. IV Idus Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI 

February 9th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Spe Salvi"

 February 9th, 2023 Latin of the Day - "Spe Salvi"

"Spe Salvi"

"Saved in Hope"

~ Motto on the heraldic achievement of Bishop Robert C. Evans, D.D., J.C.L., of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island

On this day, February 9th, 2023, I visited the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, RI, and in that museum visited the RI Catholic Schools Archive. Catholic schools were a big part of the life experience of Woonsocket, RI, so I wanted to find a Latin motto that went with this visit . . . 

a.d. V Idus Februarias anno A.U.C. MMDCCLXXVI