Latin Classes | St. John Cantius Church

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Latin Classes

Latin Classes at St. John Cantius Church

Have you always wanted a deeper appreciation of our Church’s languages and heritage? St. John Cantius’ language classes offer a chance to begin or to continue your study of the language and history of the Church.

We offer a range of Latin classes through which you can develop from complete beginner to fluent reader of original texts. You can progress from the beginner class through to the advanced reading classes, or you can join at any point along the way if you already have some background in the language. Classes are one hour a week, so we move at a pace that allows you to learn whilst not interfering with work and / or other study commitments.

We focus on ecclesiastical Latin – the Latin of the liturgy, Jerome’s Bible, scholastic philosophers, papal bulls, and canon law – but the course will also set you in good stead if your interest is in classical Latin. Many of the texts we read in the advanced reading classes are from the classical age.

We usually run two semesters a year: A fall class from September through December and a spring class from January through June. Beginner classes start each September.

We also offer:

Occasional classes on various topics, including the popular ‘Latin of the Mass’ class which introduces the Latin of the Mass for those who may not wish to pursue formal studies in Latin.

A series of pre-recorded lessons you can use to teach yourself or to support other classes.

Our courses are designed for adults, but we do not impose a strict minimum age.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email latin@cantius.org

The 2026 in-person spring semester begins the weekend of January 10th and 11th, 2026 and ends the weekend of June 13th and 14th, 2026.

Some classes will be held in person, others virtually. Please carefully review the description below for each class.

REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES:

You can register online (see below) or, for in-person classes, by registering in person on the first day of class. If you would like to join any class after the first lesson, please contact the instructor.

PAYMENT FOR CLASSES:

You can pay online (see below) or, for in-person classes, by cash or check on the first day of class.

PURCHASE OF TEXTBOOKS:

For in-person classes and only for in-person classes, you can purchase your textbook when you register online or you can purchase your textbook at the Academy of the Arts (the building to the right of the Church) on the first day of class. Cash or check only, please, if you are paying in person. For virtual classes, you will need to purchase your own textbook.

Classes will be held in person.

Classes will be held on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Classes meet in the Academy of the Arts (the building to the right of the Church). The doors will be opened 10 minutes before class begins.

For more information contact Rachel Chinchilla rchinchilla@luc.edu

The cost is $50.00 for the class and $30.00 for the textbook.

Please register and pay for the class through our payment platform https://pci.jotform.com/form/253365426561358

You can also register in person at the Academy of the Arts immediately before the first class.

You can buy the textbook online when you register, or at the Academy of the Arts immediately before the first class – cash or check only if paying in person, please.

LATIN I: Beginner
Instructor: Rachel Chinchilla

Classes start January 11, 2026 and end June 14, 2026

This course is a continuation of the introductory class that began in September, 2025 as a first introduction to the Latin language. We will continue to cover the most basic elements of Latin grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, using as our textbook Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. We will begin in January where we end in December, which is expected to be around Unit 10. While the content will be introductory and steady, students should expect to devote at least a few hours each week to reviewing the lessons and working through the exercises. This class is a continuation of the fall class, but new joiners who already have some background in Latin are welcome.

LATIN III
Instructor: Chris Jones

Classes start January 11, 2026 and end June 14, 2026

This class is a continuation of the third year of the class taught by Chris in the fall semester and is for the intermediate student with some prior Latin study. We will be continuing with Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin at Unit 25.

Classes will be held in person.

Classes will be held on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Classes meet in the Academy of the Arts (the building to the right of the Church) in the Faculty Lounge. The doors will be opened 10 minutes before each class begins.

For more information contact Christopher Jones jonesc@shure.com

The cost is $50.00 for the class and $30.00 for the textbook.

Please register and pay for the class through our payment platform https://pci.jotform.com/form/253365426561358

You can also register in person at the Academy of the Arts immediately before the first class.

You can buy the textbook online when you register, or at the Academy of the Arts immediately before the first class – cash or check only if paying in person, please.

LATIN IV: Spoken Latin - Continuation

Instructor: Richard Rodriguez

NOTE THE DAY - Classes start Saturday January 10, 2026 and end Saturday June 13, 2026.

Classes will be held remotely.

This is a continuation of the class which began in September 2025. We will continue to learn to speak Latin with the aim of developing automatic understanding of spoken texts as well as reading fluency.

We will continue our immersion-based sessions of working through the textbook UNUS, DUO, TRES, published by the Polis Institute Press (ISBN: 978-9657698136), as supplemented by spoken drill exercises provided by the instructor. Students are expected to participate actively in every session.

Students with no prior experience in Spoken Latin (regardless of reading/grammar experience) should contact the instructor prior to registration in order to determine the appropriateness of this course.

Classes will be held remotely.

Classes will be held each Saturday ON ZOOM from 8:45am - 9:45am central time.

For more information contact Mr. Rodriguez at RichieJRR@protonmail.com

The cost is $50.00 for the class. Students should obtain their own copy of the textbook.

Please register and pay for the class through our payment platform https://pci.jotform.com/form/253365426561358

Please also e-mail RichieJRR@protonmail.com to let him know that you have registered.

LATIN V: Early Medieval Latin
Instructor: Christopher Jones

Classes start January 11, 2026 and end June 14, 2026

This is an opportunity to read and discuss Latin writings from the early medieval period, including the Gelasian sacramentary, Cassiodorus, and the life of St. Patrick.

There is no textbook; the instructor will provide excerpts.

This is a hybrid class: Classes will be held in person but you can, if you wish, join the class remotely.

Classes will be held on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. If you attend in person, classes meet in the Academy of the Arts (the building to the right of the Church) in the Faculty Lounge. The doors will be opened 10 minutes before each class begins.

For more information contact Christopher Jones jonesc@shure.com

The cost is $50.00 for the class. There is no textbook; the instructor will provide readings.

Please register and pay for the class through our payment platform https://pci.jotform.com/form/253365426561358

You can also register in person at the Academy of the Arts immediately before the first class.

LATIN VI: St Augustine’s Confessions

Instructor: Andre Mendoza

Classes start January 11, 2026 and end June 14, 2026

In this course we will continue to read selections of St. Augustine’s timeless spiritual autobiography, which offers intermediate students a stepping-stone before advancing to the more advanced prose of classical authors. This course is ideal for those with a solid basis in Latin grammar and vocabulary who already have some experience with reading Latin literature. This course will focus less on precision of translation and more on extensive reading.

Classes will be held remotely.

Classes will be held each Sunday ON ZOOM from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m central time.

For more information contact Andre Mendoza amendoza@northridgeprep.org

The cost is $50.00 for the class.

Students should obtain their own copy of the text. Students may select their own edition, but might consider the Emmaus Academic Edition edited by the Aquinas Institute, the Loeb Library Edition Bks 1-VIII, the fully macronized text with introduction by Joanna Thornhill or Book I with grammatical commentary by Joshua C Shaw.

Please register and pay for the class through our payment platform https://pci.jotform.com/form/253365426561358

Please also e-mail Andre Mendoza amendoza@northridgeprep.org to let him know you have registered.

A RECORDED INTRODUCTORY LATIN COURSE

Instructor: Richard Rodriguez

This is a recorded course that covers a full year of Latin and textbook exercises in separate 30-45 minute downloadable videos, allowing you to learn at your own pace or to re-review materials covered in other classes.

The textbook is Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. The course covers Units 1-19.

The cost is $50.00.

Please register and pay for the class through our payment platform https://pci.jotform.com/form/253365426561358

Please email Mr. Rodriguez at RichieJRR@protonmail.com to let him know you have registered. Registration for the course grants you the passwords to access the video links page for two years, as well as the opportunity to email the instructor with for clarification about the videos. You may register at any time, but please do note that we will change the video passwords at the start of each semester (Spring, Summer, Fall).

Students should purchase their own copy of the textbook.

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO YOUR E MAIL, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER.