I’m sorry if this is a stupid question - is “fiat” a word from another language? When we talk about Mary’s “fiat” (be it done to me according to thy word), does “fiat” stand for that phrase in another language, or is it derived from something else? I heard once it means ‘yes’ - but in what language??
Thank you!
latin, the language in which the bible, including Mary’s response to the Angel at the annuciation, has been preserved for most of the Church’s history. specifically, “let it be done” from “let it be done unto me according to thy word”.
Laudatur Iesus Christus. (“Praised be Jesus Christ.”)
“Fiat” is a form of the word “to make” or “to do” in Latin.
In the Vulgate Bible when St. Gabriel speaks to the Virgin Mary, she responds:
“ecce ancilla Domini ***fiat ***mihi secundum verbum tuum,"
rendered in English as:
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word,” (Luke 1:38).
This is intriguing to compare to the first chapter of Genesis, which says:
“dixitque Deus ***fiat ***lux et facta est lux”
rendered in English as:
“And God said: ***Be ***light made. And light was made," (Genesis 1:3).
This form of words is repeated in other of the accounts of the acts of creation. (See, Genesis 1:6 & 14.)
God’s “fiat” was the act of creation; Mary’s “fiat” was consent to the Incarnation.
Pax Christi nobiscum. (“The Peace of Christ be with us.”)
John Hiner
I can tell you definitively that “Mary’s fiat” does NOT refer to her Italian car… 
WWJDrive? a Fiat. No just kidding
My apologies! I stand corrected! :rolleyes:
Fabrica Italiana di Automobili Torino. 