Lesson 139 Ecclesiastical Latin: A Latinum Institute Reading Course novus -a -um — New, Fresh, Renewed “Ecce nova facio omnia” — Behold, I make all things new (Revelation 21:5)
Lesson 139 Ecclesiastical Latin: A Latinum Institute Reading Course
novus -a -um — New, Fresh, Renewed
“Ecce nova facio omnia” — Behold, I make all things new (Revelation 21:5)
Introduction
Welcome to Lesson 139 of the Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course. Today we study novus -a -um (new), Dickinson Core Vocabulary #139, a 1st/2nd declension adjective that carries profound theological weight in Christian Latin.
While Classical Latin sometimes viewed “novitas” (newness) with suspicion—preferring the “mos maiorum” (way of the ancestors)—Christian Latin transformed “novus” into one of the most theologically charged words in the vocabulary. In Scripture, “novus” signifies not merely chronological freshness but ontological transformation: the “nova creatura” (new creation) in Christ, the “novum testamentum” (new covenant) in His blood, and the eschatological “caelum novum et terra nova” (new heaven and new earth) promised at the consummation of all things.
The liturgical formula “Cantate Domino canticum novum” (Sing to the Lord a new song) has inspired countless musical settings from the Psalter through Schütz and Arvo Pärt, expressing the perpetual freshness of divine salvation that calls forth ever-new praise.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “novus” mean in Ecclesiastical Latin?
“Novus” means “new” in Latin. In ecclesiastical usage, it carries four semantic dimensions: (1) temporal newness (recently made), (2) qualitative newness (unprecedented, different), (3) eschatological newness (transformed, re-created), and (4) covenant newness (the New Testament versus the Old). Key phrases include “nova creatura” (new creation), “novus homo” (new man), and “canticum novum” (new song).
Key Takeaways
novus -a -um is a regular 1st/2nd declension adjective meaning “new, fresh, renewed”
In theological Latin, “novus” signifies ontological transformation, not just chronological freshness
Key collocations: Novum Testamentum, nova creatura, novus homo, canticum novum
The superlative “novissimus” means “last” (as in “novissima” = the last things, eschatology)
“Ecce nova facio omnia” (Rev 21:5) encapsulates Christian eschatological hope
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Section A: Interlinear Construed Text (Granular Glossing)
139.1a Cantāte Dominō canticum novum 139.1b Cantāte (kan-ˈta-te) sing-IMP.PL Dominō (ˈdo-mi-no) to-the-Lord-DAT canticum (ˈkan-ti-kum) song-ACC novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC
139.2a Ecce nova faciō omnia 139.2b Ecce (ˈet-tʃe) behold nova (ˈno-va) new-things-ACC faciō (ˈfa-tʃi-o) I-make omnia (ˈom-ni-a) all-ACC
139.3a Sī qua ergō in Christō nova creātūra 139.3b Sī (si) if qua (kwa) anyone ergō (ˈer-go) therefore in (in) in Christō (ˈkri-sto) Christ-ABL nova (ˈno-va) new-NOM creātūra (kre-a-ˈtu-ra) creature-NOM
139.4a Novum mandātum dō vōbīs 139.4b Novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC mandātum (man-ˈda-tum) commandment-ACC dō (do) I-give vōbīs (ˈvo-bis) to-you-DAT.PL
139.5a Vetera trānsiērunt et facta sunt omnia nova 139.5b Vetera (ˈve-te-ra) old-things-NOM trānsiērunt (tran-si-ˈe-runt) passed-away-PERF et (et) and facta sunt (ˈfak-ta sunt) have-become omnia (ˈom-ni-a) all-NOM nova (ˈno-va) new-NOM
139.6a Vīdī caelum novum et terram novam 139.6b Vīdī (ˈvi-di) I-saw-PERF caelum (ˈtʃe-lum) heaven-ACC novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC et (et) and terram (ˈter-ram) earth-ACC novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC
139.7a Hic est calix sanguinis meī novī testāmentī 139.7b Hic (hik) this-NOM est (est) is calix (ˈka-liks) cup-NOM sanguinis (ˈsan-gwi-nis) of-blood-GEN meī (ˈme-i) my-GEN novī (ˈno-vi) new-GEN testāmentī (tes-ta-ˈmen-ti) of-covenant-GEN
139.8a Induite novum hominem 139.8b Induite (in-ˈdu-i-te) put-on-IMP.PL novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC hominem (ˈho-mi-nem) man-ACC
139.9a Per viam novam et viventem 139.9b Per (per) through viam (ˈvi-am) way-ACC novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC et (et) and viventem (vi-ˈven-tem) living-ACC
139.10a Cantica nova canēmus Dominō 139.10b Cantica (ˈkan-ti-ka) songs-ACC nova (ˈno-va) new-ACC canēmus (ka-ˈne-mus) we-shall-sing Dominō (ˈdo-mi-no) to-the-Lord-DAT
139.11a Novam Hierusalem dēscendentem dē caelō vīdī 139.11b Novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC Hierusalem (je-ˈru-sa-lem) Jerusalem-ACC dēscendentem (de-ʃen-ˈden-tem) descending-ACC dē (de) from caelō (ˈtʃe-lo) heaven-ABL vīdī (ˈvi-di) I-saw-PERF
139.12a Nōn in fermento veterī sed in novō 139.12b Nōn (non) not in (in) in fermento (fer-ˈmen-to) leaven-ABL veterī (ve-ˈte-ri) old-ABL sed (sed) but in (in) in novō (ˈno-vo) new-ABL
139.13a Vīnum novum in utrēs novōs mittendum est 139.13b Vīnum (ˈvi-num) wine-ACC novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC in (in) into utrēs (ˈu-tres) wineskins-ACC novōs (ˈno-vos) new-ACC mittendum est (mit-ˈten-dum est) must-be-put
139.14a Renovāminī in novitāte mentis vestrae 139.14b Renovāminī (re-no-ˈva-mi-ni) be-renewed-IMP.PASS.PL in (in) in novitāte (no-vi-ˈta-te) newness-ABL mentis (ˈmen-tis) of-mind-GEN vestrae (ˈves-tre) your-GEN
139.15a Deus omnia nova faciet in diē novissimō 139.15b Deus (ˈde-us) God-NOM omnia (ˈom-ni-a) all-ACC nova (ˈno-va) new-ACC faciet (ˈfa-tʃi-et) will-make in (in) on diē (ˈdi-e) day-ABL novissimō (no-ˈvis-si-mo) last-ABL
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Section B: Natural Sentences
139.1 Cantāte Dominō canticum novum → “Sing to the Lord a new song”
139.2 Ecce nova faciō omnia → “Behold, I make all things new”
139.3 Sī qua ergō in Christō nova creātūra → “If anyone therefore is in Christ, a new creation”
139.4 Novum mandātum dō vōbīs → “I give you a new commandment”
139.5 Vetera trānsiērunt et facta sunt omnia nova → “Old things have passed away and all things have become new”
139.6 Vīdī caelum novum et terram novam → “I saw a new heaven and a new earth”
139.7 Hic est calix sanguinis meī novī testāmentī → “This is the cup of my blood of the new covenant”
139.8 Induite novum hominem → “Put on the new man”
139.9 Per viam novam et viventem → “Through a new and living way”
139.10 Cantica nova canēmus Dominō → “We shall sing new songs to the Lord”
139.11 Novam Hierusalem dēscendentem dē caelō vīdī → “I saw the new Jerusalem descending from heaven”
139.12 Nōn in fermento veterī sed in novō → “Not in old leaven but in new”
139.13 Vīnum novum in utrēs novōs mittendum est → “New wine must be put into new wineskins”
139.14 Renovāminī in novitāte mentis vestrae → “Be renewed in the newness of your mind”
139.15 Deus omnia nova faciet in diē novissimō → “God will make all things new on the last day”
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Section C: Ecclesiastical Latin Text Only
139.1 Cantāte Dominō canticum novum.
139.2 Ecce nova faciō omnia.
139.3 Sī qua ergō in Christō nova creātūra.
139.4 Novum mandātum dō vōbīs.
139.5 Vetera trānsiērunt et facta sunt omnia nova.
139.6 Vīdī caelum novum et terram novam.
139.7 Hic est calix sanguinis meī novī testāmentī.
139.8 Induite novum hominem.
139.9 Per viam novam et viventem.
139.10 Cantica nova canēmus Dominō.
139.11 Novam Hierusalem dēscendentem dē caelō vīdī.
139.12 Nōn in fermento veterī sed in novō.
139.13 Vīnum novum in utrēs novōs mittendum est.
139.14 Renovāminī in novitāte mentis vestrae.
139.15 Deus omnia nova faciet in diē novissimō.
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Section D: Grammar Explanation
These are the grammar rules for novus -a -um in Ecclesiastical Latin:
1. Declension Pattern
Novus follows the standard 1st/2nd declension adjective pattern:
Masculine: novus, novī, novō, novum, novō (singular); novī, novōrum, novīs, novōs, novīs (plural)
Feminine: nova, novae, novae, novam, novā (singular); novae, novārum, novīs, novās, novīs (plural)
Neuter: novum, novī, novō, novum, novō (singular); nova, novōrum, novīs, nova, novīs (plural)
2. Agreement Rules
As with all Latin adjectives, novus must agree with its noun in gender, number, and case:
“canticum novum” (neuter singular accusative)
“creātūra nova” (feminine singular nominative)
“testāmentī novī” (neuter singular genitive)
“utrēs novōs” (masculine plural accusative)
3. Superlative Form: novissimus
The superlative “novissimus -a -um” takes on the specialized meaning “last” or “final” in ecclesiastical Latin:
“diēs novissimus” = the last day (eschaton)
“novissima” (neuter plural substantive) = the last things (death, judgment, heaven, hell)
This semantic shift from “newest” to “last” reflects the theological understanding that what is ultimately new is also ultimate.
4. Position
In ecclesiastical Latin, “novus” typically precedes its noun for emphasis:
“novum mandātum” (new commandment)
“nova creātūra” (new creation)
When predicate, it follows the verb:
“facta sunt omnia nova” (all things have become new)
5. Common Errors to Avoid
English speakers often confuse:
“novus” (new) with “nōtus” (known) — different vowel quantity
The genitive “novī” with the nominative plural “novī”
“novissimus” (last) with simply “newest” — the theological meaning dominates
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Section E: Cultural and Theological Context
The Transformation of “Novus” in Christian Latin
In Classical Roman culture, “novitas” (newness) was often viewed with suspicion. Romans valued the “mos maiorum” (way of the ancestors), and “homo novus” (new man) was a term for someone whose family had only recently achieved senatorial status—socially inferior despite political success. Cicero himself, as a “novus homo,” faced aristocratic disdain.
Christianity radically transformed this semantic field. The Gospel proclaimed that through Christ, God was doing something genuinely, ontologically NEW. The “nova creātūra” (2 Cor 5:17) is not merely recent but fundamentally transformed. The “novum testāmentum” supersedes the old not by destroying it but by fulfilling it.
The “Novus Homo” in Pauline Theology
Paul brilliantly appropriated the Roman political term. In Ephesians 2:15, Christ creates “one new man” (unum novum hominem) from Jew and Gentile. Unlike the Roman “novus homo” who remained marginalized despite achieving office, Christ’s “new man” enjoys full citizenship in God’s household—the “middle wall of partition” destroyed.
Liturgical Usage
“Cantate Domino canticum novum” (Psalm 96:1) has inspired countless musical settings throughout Church history. The call to sing a “new song” expresses the perpetual freshness of salvation—God’s mercies are “new every morning” (Lam 3:23), and each encounter with divine grace calls forth new praise.
Eschatological Dimension
The Book of Revelation brings “novus” to its climax: “Vīdī caelum novum et terram novam” (I saw a new heaven and a new earth, Rev 21:1). The divine proclamation “Ecce nova faciō omnia” (Behold, I make all things new, Rev 21:5) serves as an episcopal motto and summarizes Christian eschatological hope.
Contrast: Novus vs. Vetus
Ecclesiastical Latin frequently pairs “novus” with “vetus” (old):
Novum Testāmentum / Vetus Testāmentum
nova lex / vetus lex
novus homo / vetus homo
fermento novō / fermento veterī
Yet the relationship is not simple replacement but fulfillment: “nova et vetera” (Matt 13:52)—the scribe trained for the kingdom brings out treasures both new and old.
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Section F: Literary Citation
From Apocalypsis Iōannis (Revelation 21:1-5)
The Apocalyptic Vision of All Things Made New
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
Et vīdī caelum novum et terram novam. Et (et) and vīdī (ˈvi-di) I-saw-PERF caelum (ˈtʃe-lum) heaven-ACC novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC et (et) and terram (ˈter-ram) earth-ACC novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC
Prīmum enim caelum et prīma terra abiit, et mare iam nōn est. Prīmum (ˈpri-mum) first-NOM enim (ˈe-nim) for caelum (ˈtʃe-lum) heaven-NOM et (et) and prīma (ˈpri-ma) first-NOM terra (ˈter-ra) earth-NOM abiit (ˈa-bi-it) passed-away-PERF et (et) and mare (ˈma-re) sea-NOM iam (jam) now nōn (non) not est (est) is
Et ego Iōannēs vīdī sānctam cīvitātem Hierusalem novam dēscendentem dē caelō ā Deō. Et (et) and ego (ˈe-go) I Iōannēs (jo-ˈan-nes) John-NOM vīdī (ˈvi-di) I-saw sānctam (ˈsank-tam) holy-ACC cīvitātem (tʃi-vi-ˈta-tem) city-ACC Hierusalem (je-ˈru-sa-lem) Jerusalem-ACC novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC dēscendentem (de-ʃen-ˈden-tem) descending-ACC dē (de) from caelō (ˈtʃe-lo) heaven-ABL ā (a) from Deō (ˈde-o) God-ABL
Parātam sīcut spōnsam ōrnātam virō suō. Parātam (pa-ˈra-tam) prepared-ACC sīcut (ˈsi-kut) as spōnsam (ˈspon-sam) bride-ACC ōrnātam (or-ˈna-tam) adorned-ACC virō (ˈvi-ro) for-husband-DAT suō (ˈsu-o) her-DAT
Et audīvī vōcem māgnam dē thrōnō dīcentem: Ecce tabernāculum Deī cum hominibus. Et (et) and audīvī (au-ˈdi-vi) I-heard-PERF vōcem (ˈvo-tʃem) voice-ACC māgnam (ˈman-jam) great-ACC dē (de) from thrōnō (ˈtro-no) throne-ABL dīcentem (di-ˈtʃen-tem) saying-ACC Ecce (ˈet-tʃe) behold tabernāculum (ta-ber-ˈna-ku-lum) dwelling-NOM Deī (ˈde-i) of-God-GEN cum (kum) with hominibus (ho-ˈmi-ni-bus) men-ABL
Et dīxit quī sedēbat in thrōnō: Ecce nova faciō omnia. Et (et) and dīxit (ˈdik-sit) said-PERF quī (kwi) who-NOM sedēbat (se-ˈde-bat) was-sitting-IMPERF in (in) on thrōnō (ˈtro-no) throne-ABL Ecce (ˈet-tʃe) behold nova (ˈno-va) new-ACC faciō (ˈfa-tʃi-o) I-make omnia (ˈom-ni-a) all-ACC
F-B: Text with Translation
Et vīdī caelum novum et terram novam. Prīmum enim caelum et prīma terra abiit, et mare iam nōn est. Et ego Iōannēs vīdī sānctam cīvitātem Hierusalem novam dēscendentem dē caelō ā Deō, parātam sīcut spōnsam ōrnātam virō suō. Et audīvī vōcem māgnam dē thrōnō dīcentem: Ecce tabernāculum Deī cum hominibus. Et dīxit quī sedēbat in thrōnō: Ecce nova faciō omnia.
→ “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and the sea is no more. And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending from heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne saying: Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. And he who sat on the throne said: Behold, I make all things new.”
F-C: Latin Text Only
Et vīdī caelum novum et terram novam. Prīmum enim caelum et prīma terra abiit, et mare iam nōn est. Et ego Iōannēs vīdī sānctam cīvitātem Hierusalem novam dēscendentem dē caelō ā Deō, parātam sīcut spōnsam ōrnātam virō suō. Et audīvī vōcem māgnam dē thrōnō dīcentem: Ecce tabernāculum Deī cum hominibus. Et dīxit quī sedēbat in thrōnō: Ecce nova faciō omnia.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This apocalyptic vision demonstrates the full theological weight of “novus” in Christian Latin:
caelum novum et terram novam: Note the accusative case as direct objects of “vīdī.” The pairing of masculine “novum” with neuter “caelum” and feminine “novam” with feminine “terram” demonstrates adjective agreement.
prīmum...prīma: “First” here means the current, original creation that will pass away, contrasted with the “new” creation.
abiit: Perfect tense of “abeō” (go away), indicating completed action—the old order has definitively passed.
Hierusalem novam: Jerusalem is treated as feminine (as cities typically are), hence “novam.”
dēscendentem: Present active participle, accusative singular feminine, agreeing with “cīvitātem”—the city is actively descending.
parātam...ōrnātam: Perfect passive participles, accusative feminine, agreeing with the preceding nouns—prepared, adorned.
Ecce nova faciō omnia: The word order emphasizes “nova” (new things) at the beginning. The direct divine speech from the throne constitutes the theological climax.
F-E: Literary and Theological Commentary
This passage from the Apocalypse brings the biblical theology of “novus” to its ultimate expression. The vision moves from cosmic renewal (new heaven, new earth) through communal renewal (new Jerusalem) to relational renewal (God dwelling with humanity) and finally to the divine proclamation that encapsulates all Christian eschatological hope: “Ecce nova faciō omnia.”
The disappearance of the sea (”mare iam nōn est”) is significant: in apocalyptic imagery, the sea represents chaos, threat, and the realm from which beasts emerge. The new creation eliminates the very source of disorder.
The bridal imagery (”sīcut spōnsam ōrnātam virō suō”) connects to the broader biblical theme of God’s marriage to His people (Hosea, Song of Songs, Ephesians 5), now consummated in the eschaton.
“Ecce nova faciō omnia” has served as an episcopal motto and appears frequently in Christian art and architecture, summarizing the hope that God’s work of renewal, begun in Christ’s resurrection, will reach its completion in the transformation of all creation.
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Genre Section: Catechetical Dialogue — The New Creation
A conversation between a catechist and catechumen during preparation for baptism
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
139.16a Cūr baptismus vocātur “nova nātīvitās”? 139.16b Cūr (kur) why baptismus (bap-ˈtiz-mus) baptism-NOM vocātur (vo-ˈka-tur) is-called-PASS “nova (ˈno-va) new-NOM nātīvitās (na-ti-ˈvi-tas) birth-NOM”?
139.17a Quia per aquam et Spīritum nova creātūra efficimur. 139.17b Quia (ˈkwi-a) because per (per) through aquam (ˈa-kwam) water-ACC et (et) and Spīritum (ˈspi-ri-tum) Spirit-ACC nova (ˈno-va) new-NOM creātūra (kre-a-ˈtu-ra) creature-NOM efficimur (ef-ˈfi-tʃi-mur) we-are-made-PASS
139.18a Quid significat “induere novum hominem”? 139.18b Quid (kwid) what significat (sig-ˈni-fi-kat) signifies-it “induere (in-ˈdu-e-re) to-put-on novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC hominem (ˈho-mi-nem) man-ACC”?
139.19a Veterem hominem cum peccātīs dēpōnimus et novum indūimus. 139.19b Veterem (ˈve-te-rem) old-ACC hominem (ˈho-mi-nem) man-ACC cum (kum) with peccātīs (pek-ˈka-tis) sins-ABL dēpōnimus (de-ˈpo-ni-mus) we-lay-aside et (et) and novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC indūimus (in-ˈdu-i-mus) we-put-on
139.20a Estne haec novitās temporālis tantum? 139.20b Estne (ˈest-ne) is-INTERROG haec (hek) this-NOM novitās (no-ˈvi-tas) newness-NOM temporālis (tem-po-ˈra-lis) temporal-NOM tantum (ˈtan-tum) only?
139.21a Minimē! Est novitās ontologica et aeterna. 139.21b Minimē (ˈmi-ni-me) not-at-all! Est (est) it-is novitās (no-ˈvi-tas) newness-NOM ontologica (on-to-ˈlo-gi-ka) ontological-NOM et (et) and aeterna (e-ˈter-na) eternal-NOM
139.22a Unde venit haec nova vīta? 139.22b Unde (ˈun-de) whence venit (ˈve-nit) comes haec (hek) this-NOM nova (ˈno-va) new-NOM vīta (ˈvi-ta) life-NOM?
139.23a Ā Christō, quī mortem vīcit et novam vītam dōnāvit. 139.23b Ā (a) from Christō (ˈkri-sto) Christ-ABL, quī (kwi) who-NOM mortem (ˈmor-tem) death-ACC vīcit (ˈvi-tʃit) conquered-PERF et (et) and novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC vītam (ˈvi-tam) life-ACC dōnāvit (do-ˈna-vit) gave-PERF
139.24a Quōmodo conservāmus hanc novitātem? 139.24b Quōmodo (ˈkwo-mo-do) how conservāmus (kon-ser-ˈva-mus) do-we-preserve hanc (hank) this-ACC novitātem (no-vi-ˈta-tem) newness-ACC?
139.25a Per fidem et sacrāmenta in novitāte spīritūs ambulāmus. 139.25b Per (per) through fidem (ˈfi-dem) faith-ACC et (et) and sacrāmenta (sa-kra-ˈmen-ta) sacraments-ACC in (in) in novitāte (no-vi-ˈta-te) newness-ABL spīritūs (spi-ˈri-tus) of-spirit-GEN ambulāmus (am-bu-ˈla-mus) we-walk
139.26a Quid spērāmus in novissimō diē? 139.26b Quid (kwid) what spērāmus (spe-ˈra-mus) do-we-hope in (in) on novissimō (no-ˈvis-si-mo) last-ABL diē (ˈdi-e) day-ABL?
139.27a Resurrectīōnem corporis et vītam novam in caelō novō. 139.27b Resurrectīōnem (re-sur-rek-ti-ˈo-nem) resurrection-ACC corporis (ˈkor-po-ris) of-body-GEN et (et) and vītam (ˈvi-tam) life-ACC novam (ˈno-vam) new-ACC in (in) in caelō (ˈtʃe-lo) heaven-ABL novō (ˈno-vo) new-ABL
139.28a Ergō baptizandī novum canticum canere dēbent? 139.28b Ergō (ˈer-go) therefore baptizandī (bap-ti-ˈzan-di) those-to-be-baptized-NOM novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC canticum (ˈkan-ti-kum) song-ACC canere (ˈka-ne-re) to-sing dēbent (ˈde-bent) ought-they?
139.29a Certē! “Cantāte Dominō canticum novum” corde novō. 139.29b Certē (ˈtʃer-te) certainly! “Cantāte (kan-ˈta-te) sing-IMP.PL Dominō (ˈdo-mi-no) to-the-Lord-DAT canticum (ˈkan-ti-kum) song-ACC novum (ˈno-vum) new-ACC” corde (ˈkor-de) with-heart-ABL novō (ˈno-vo) new-ABL
139.30a Deō grātiās quī omnia nova facit! 139.30b Deō (ˈde-o) to-God-DAT grātiās (ˈgra-ti-as) thanks-ACC quī (kwi) who-NOM omnia (ˈom-ni-a) all-ACC nova (ˈno-va) new-ACC facit (ˈfa-tʃit) makes!
Part B: Natural Sentences
139.16 Cūr baptismus vocātur “nova nātīvitās”? → “Why is baptism called a ‘new birth’?”
139.17 Quia per aquam et Spīritum nova creātūra efficimur. → “Because through water and the Spirit we are made a new creation.”
139.18 Quid significat “induere novum hominem”? → “What does ‘to put on the new man’ mean?”
139.19 Veterem hominem cum peccātīs dēpōnimus et novum indūimus. → “We lay aside the old man with sins and put on the new.”
139.20 Estne haec novitās temporālis tantum? → “Is this newness only temporal?”
139.21 Minimē! Est novitās ontologica et aeterna. → “Not at all! It is ontological and eternal newness.”
139.22 Unde venit haec nova vīta? → “Whence does this new life come?”
139.23 Ā Christō, quī mortem vīcit et novam vītam dōnāvit. → “From Christ, who conquered death and gave new life.”
139.24 Quōmodo conservāmus hanc novitātem? → “How do we preserve this newness?”
139.25 Per fidem et sacrāmenta in novitāte spīritūs ambulāmus. → “Through faith and sacraments we walk in newness of spirit.”
139.26 Quid spērāmus in novissimō diē? → “What do we hope for on the last day?”
139.27 Resurrectīōnem corporis et vītam novam in caelō novō. → “The resurrection of the body and new life in the new heaven.”
139.28 Ergō baptizandī novum canticum canere dēbent? → “Therefore should those to be baptized sing a new song?”
139.29 Certē! “Cantāte Dominō canticum novum” corde novō. → “Certainly! ‘Sing to the Lord a new song’ with a new heart.”
139.30 Deō grātiās quī omnia nova facit! → “Thanks be to God who makes all things new!”
Part C: Latin Text Only
139.16 Cūr baptismus vocātur “nova nātīvitās”?
139.17 Quia per aquam et Spīritum nova creātūra efficimur.
139.18 Quid significat “induere novum hominem”?
139.19 Veterem hominem cum peccātīs dēpōnimus et novum indūimus.
139.20 Estne haec novitās temporālis tantum?
139.21 Minimē! Est novitās ontologica et aeterna.
139.22 Unde venit haec nova vīta?
139.23 Ā Christō, quī mortem vīcit et novam vītam dōnāvit.
139.24 Quōmodo conservāmus hanc novitātem?
139.25 Per fidem et sacrāmenta in novitāte spīritūs ambulāmus.
139.26 Quid spērāmus in novissimō diē?
139.27 Resurrectīōnem corporis et vītam novam in caelō novō.
139.28 Ergō baptizandī novum canticum canere dēbent?
139.29 Certē! “Cantāte Dominō canticum novum” corde novō.
139.30 Deō grātiās quī omnia nova facit!
Part D: Grammar Notes for Catechetical Dialogue
This dialogue demonstrates several key grammatical features:
Gerundive usage: “baptizandī” (those to be baptized) functions as a substantive, showing the gerundive’s role in expressing obligation or necessity.
Ablative of means: “per aquam et Spīritum” (through water and Spirit), “per fidem et sacrāmenta” (through faith and sacraments).
Ablative of manner: “corde novō” (with a new heart)—manner without preposition when modified by adjective.
Question particles: “Cūr” (why), “Quid” (what), “-ne” (interrogative enclitic), “Quōmodo” (how), “Unde” (whence).
Passive voice: “vocātur” (is called), “efficimur” (we are made)—essential for expressing divine action upon us.
Superlative as substantive: “novissimō diē” (on the last day)—the theological meaning of “novissimus.”
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Pronunciation Guide
Ecclesiastical Latin Pronunciation of Key Terms:
Word IPA Notes novus /ˈno.vus/ Two syllables, stress on first nova /ˈno.va/ Open ‘o’ as in “more” novum /ˈno.vum/ Final -um as /um/ not /əm/ novī /ˈno.vi/ Genitive/nominative plural novissimus /no.ˈvis.si.mus/ Stress on penultimate (long syllable) novitās /no.ˈvi.tas/ Abstract noun “newness” canticum /ˈkan.ti.kum/ Hard ‘c’ throughout creātūra /kre.a.ˈtu.ra/ Four syllables
Key Sound Rules:
‘c’ before ‘e’ or ‘i’ = /tʃ/ (as in “church”): caelum = /ˈtʃe.lum/
‘g’ before ‘e’ or ‘i’ = /dʒ/ (as in “judge”): but “ergō” = /ˈer.go/ (hard ‘g’ before ‘o’)
Final ‘-um’ pronounced fully: /um/
Doubled consonants lengthened: novissimus has extended /ss/
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About This Course
The Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course follows the methodology developed by the Latinum Institute, which has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. Our approach uses frequency-ranked vocabulary from the Dickinson College Latin Core Vocabulary list, ensuring students learn the most commonly occurring words first.
This lesson on novus (Dickinson #139) demonstrates how Christian Latin transformed common vocabulary into vehicles for profound theological expression. The construed reading method, with its granular interlinear glossing, enables learners to see both the literal structure of Latin and its idiomatic meaning, building genuine comprehension rather than mere translation skills.
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Ecce nova faciō omnia!
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