Do we have to understand the Latin we are praying?

[ialsop]

Not talking about the Mass.

I am talking about personal, devotional prayers.

If we choose to pray, say, the Angelus in Latin, do we have to understand the Latin words, or just have the intent to pray the Angelus?

Thanks

 

[peter26]

You don’t have to understand the words. If you find a reliable source that says “Angelus in Latin” and pray it, that’s fine. If you pray in Latin regularly, you will probably pick up some words however.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

One thing you can do is print out the Angelus in Latin and English side-by-side. Before you recite each line, look at the English, then say the Latin (or in the reverse order). After doing this so many times, you will recognize the Latin phrases without having to consult the English. Note that Church Latin is typically pronounced a little different than Classical (Italian-sounding vowels and consonants).

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

What is the benefit of praying in a language one doesn’t understand? Is it because Latin as the official language of the Church is thought to be “more holy?”

 

[abucs]

I think praying in another language can be educational and of course it is part of traditional Christian culture, like traditional Greek. Gradually the understanding of Latin will increase I would guess.

I would assume at the start when the Latin is not so well known the praying would come more from the heart such as with the rosary when we say certain words but our contemplation and meditation can often be elsewhere.

I find that kind of prayer most powerful.

 

[Upgrade25]

What is the benefit of praying in a language one doesn’t understand? Is it because Latin as the official language of the Church is thought to be “more holy?”

If they had the Rosary prayers in West Syriac, Jesus’ language when on Earth, I’d pray it in that language.

 

[abucs]

If they had the Rosary prayers in West Syriac, Jesus’ language when on Earth, I’d pray it in that language.

 

[Petaro]

Personally I would consider saying a prayer in a language I don’t know similar to turning a prayer wheel in some religions. You go through the rote without full comprehension, only intent. If this is sufficient for you, fine. But I would follow the wise advice of another post and look at a translation. Understanding latin words is not like learning the grammer etc. Rather just the vocabulary should be sufficient for you to gain a growing advantage in comprehension.

 

[Tim_D]

If we choose to pray, say, the Angelus in Latin, do we have to understand the Latin words, or just have the intent to pray the Angelus?

Don’t you think that it would be sort of intellectually fruitless to pray something without knowing what it is you are saying?

 

[ialsop]

Don’t you think that it would be sort of intellectually fruitless to pray something without knowing what it is you are saying?

That’s why I don’t STUDY the Faith in Latin-it would be intellectually fruitless.

But hey, I am NOT looking for intellectual fruit when I pray. Just spiritual fruit.

 

[ialsop]

What is the benefit of praying in a language one doesn’t understand? Is it because Latin as the official language of the Church is thought to be “more holy?”

Exorcists say that prayers in Latin are more efficacious.

Obviously, how well your prayer helps you depends on a LOT of other factors, but all the exorcists I know(yes I know a few) and have researched(MANY MANY more) have said that praying, say, the Hail Mary is Latin is more scary to a demon than it in English, because Latin is the language of the Church, as you said.

freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1842528/posts

Fr. Amorth especially loves Latin.

 

[rben20]

If your goal is to pray in Latin, you have to start somewhere. I didn’t understand at first but I’ve slowly grown in my Latin through practice. I would recommend you keep it up if that is your long term goal!

 

[ProVobis]

Not talking about the Mass.

I am talking about personal, devotional prayers.

I’m not sure all personal, devotional prayers even require words.

What was that movie where everyone shared “Think God” posters?

Or change it to “Cogita Deum”?

 

[littlestsouls2]

Exorcists say that prayers in Latin are more efficacious.

Obviously, how well your prayer helps you depends on a LOT of other factors, but all the exorcists I know(yes I know a few) and have researched(MANY MANY more) have said that praying, say, the Hail Mary is Latin is more scary to a demon than it in English, because Latin is the language of the Church, as you said.

freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1842528/posts

Fr. Amorth especially loves Latin.

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing! I am going to start praying the Rosary in Latin. I already have on a few occasions, but I might make it the norm.

 

[smead2942]

As a native English speaker, I find praying in Latin beneficial. It probably helps that I have six years of French under my belt… different pronunciation and accent aside, the romantic languages are all very similar. Lol.

 

[PJM]

Not talking about the Mass.

I am talking about personal, devotional prayers.

If we choose to pray, say, the Angelus in Latin, do we have to understand the Latin words, or just have the intent to pray the Angelus?

Thanks

Have too is a BIT STRONG [God, no doubt knows Latin]

But a prayer is more efficacious [effective] when we KNOW what we are praying and why=at we are saying when we pray:thumbsup:

Is in wrong to pray in Latin: NO!

 

[ialsop]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing! I am going to start praying the Rosary in Latin. I already have on a few occasions, but I might make it the norm.

Nice!

And obviously praying in Latin that makes you stumble on every word is a lot LESS worthwhile than an English prayer you can actually pray, but if you can, if you already have, it is super worth it.

Plus, we all know the words to the Our father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, so praying them in Latin is easy.

Rosary is very useful in Latin.

 

[ialsop]

As a native English speaker, I find praying in Latin beneficial. It probably helps that I have six years of French under my belt… different pronunciation and accent aside, the romantic languages are all very similar. Lol.

Indeed! I am in my second year of Spanish, and going for four and more. It helps a lot.

 

[ialsop]

Have too is a BIT STRONG [God, no doubt knows Latin]

But a prayer is more efficacious [effective] when we KNOW what we are praying and why=at we are saying when we pray:thumbsup:

Is in wrong to pray in Latin: NO!

Ah, that is very true as well!

 

[Granum_Frumenti]

As a native English speaker, I find praying in Latin beneficial. It probably helps that I have six years of French under my belt… different pronunciation and accent aside, the romantic languages are all very similar. Lol.

Indeed! I am in my second year of Spanish, and going for four and more. It helps a lot.

As it so happens, last week I memorized the Pater Noster. I was pleasantly surprised that the task was easier than I was expecting–largely because of my knowledge of Spanish. There is enough similarity to help my memorization and my understanding noticeably, especially towards the end of the prayer.

I learned Spanish primarily for more “practical” benefits. Now I’ll add my voice to those who will mention that knowledge of Romance languages can be useful in more ways than one.