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.
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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.
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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.
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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. We now also offer a series of pre-recorded lessons you can use to teach yourself or to support other classes.
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The course is designed for adults, but we do not impose a strict minimum age.​
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The 2023 in-person fall semester begins on September 17, 2023 and ends on December 17, 2023. If you would like to join any class after September 17, please contact the instructor.
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Most classes will be held in person.
LATIN I: Beginner
Instructor: Rupert Ward
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Classes start September 17, 2023
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This course is a first introduction to the Latin language. Without assuming any prior experience with Latin or any other foreign language, we will cover the most basic elements of Latin grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, using as our textbook Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. 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.
Classes will be held on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Classes meet in the St Joseph
Building at 1025 W. Fry St., Chicago, IL. Enter the building from the south door between the St Joseph Building and the Church. There is no entry directly from the street.
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Classes will be held in person.
​The cost is $50.00 for the class and $35.00 for the textbook. You can buy the textbook at Biretta Books, or at the St Joseph Building immediately before the first class.
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Please pay for the class using button below. Note, however, that payment is not registration.
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To register, or for more information, please contact Rupert Ward (using button below), or register in person in the St Joseph Building immediately before the first class.
LATIN II
Instructor: Andre Mendoza
Classes start September 17, 2023
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This class is a continuation of the introductory class that began in September 2022 and is for the beginner with some prior Latin study. We will continue to follow the progression of our textbook Lingua Latina: Familia Romana beginning with its companion exercise book Exercitia Latina and, later in the course, Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin.
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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) in the Student Lounge. The doors will be opened 10 minutes before class begins.
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Classes will be held in person.
The cost is $50.00 for the class and $55.00 for the textbooks: Lingua Latina plus Exercitia Latina. You can buy the textbooks at Biretta Books, or at the Academy of the Arts building immediately before the first class.
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Please pay for the class using button below. Note, however, that payment is not registration.
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For more information, or to register for the class, please email Andre Mendoza using the button below. You may also register in person at the St Joseph Building immediately before the first class.
LATIN IV: Latin of the Fathers
Instructor: Christopher Jones
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Classes start September 17, 2023
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This is the second year of a two-year class, but new joiners are very welcome.
We will read and discuss Latin texts from the first six centuries of Christianity. In this second year we will be looking at the fourth century aftermath of the Edict of Milan, with readings from St. Optatus, St. Ambrose, Pope St. Damasus, and others.
There is no textbook; the instructor will provide excerpts. The instructor is preparing a textbook for future students; input from this class will be a valuable part of that process. Intermediate and advanced students are welcome.
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Classes will be held on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The same class will also be held on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Participants may choose which of the two classes to attend. 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.
Classes will be held in person.
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The cost is $50.00 for the class. There is no textbook; the instructor will provide readings.
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Please pay for the class using the button below. Note, however, that payment is not registration.
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For more information or to register please contact Christopher Jones using the button below, or register in person at the Academy of the Arts building immediately before the first class. When registering by e mail, please state whether you wish to join the 9.00am or the 10.00am class.
LATIN OF THE MASS
Instructor: Nick Chapello
Classes start September 17, 2023
This class runs for nine weeks, through to November 12, 2023. In these nine sessions you will learn how to understand the Latin of the Mass and speak it properly. We will explore the rich history of the Mass, the format and purpose with each Mass part, weekly.
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Classes will be held on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Classes will be held in person. The location of this class is the Parish Library, which is in the basement of the Church.
The cost is a $50 donation to St John Cantius Parish. The textbook is the Latin Mass Companion which will be provided.
Please pay for the class using the button below. Note, however, that payment is not registration.
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For more information or to register please contact Nick Chapello using the button below, or register in person at the Parish Hall immediately before the first class.
ONLINE INTRODUCTION TO LATIN GRAMMAR CONT’D
Instructor: Richard Rodriguez
Classes start Saturday September 9, 2023 **Note the start date**. Classes run through December 16, 2023. There is no class on October 21 or November 25.
This class is for students who live outside the Chicago area and/or who have substantial difficulty in attending in-person sessions.
This class is a continuation of the summer semester. Please contact the instructor for evaluation if you are new to Latin or have not studied it in a while. The focus of the course will be on reading for familiarity and grammatical comprehension with the assistance of a translation (e.g., ability to more thoroughly use & appreciate Latin/English parallel text worship materials). Optional exercises will be provided upon request for students who are interested in developing a higher degree of unaided reading fluency.
The textbook is Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. This class will cover units 20- 26 and readings in the Gospels of Mark and Luke.
Classes will be held on Saturdays ON ZOOM from 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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The cost is $50 for the class. Students should obtain their own copy of the textbook.
Please pay for the class by clicking the button below. Note, however, that payment is not registration.
For more information, or to register for the class please contact Mr. Rodriguez using the button below.
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE TO YOUR E MAIL, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER.
NEW – 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. You can pay this fee using the button below.
For more information, or to register, please contact Mr. Rodriguez using the button below.
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 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The instructor is still in the process of uploading recordings. They should be added at a pace of approximately 1-2 chapters/week until done.