Latin Terms in Advent

The word “advent” is derived from the Latin words, advenire (to come to) and
adventus (an arrival).
That we might be prepared to celebrate the blessed Feast of the Nativity of Christ our Lord, the Church has set aside the season of Advent as a time to reflect and meditate upon the coming of our Lord Jesus in the Flesh, through His Word and Sacraments, and on the Last Day (Day of the Lord).
Advent is also a time of preparation for Christ’s coming through repentance and faith.

Click here to read more about Latin Terms during the Time of Easter.

Ad Te Levai

Pronunciation: odd TAY leh-VAY

First Sunday in Advent – Looking forward to the Second Coming of Christ

Meaning/reference: Latin Vulgate opening of Psalm 25 (“I lifted up to you”), verses 1–3:

Latin (Vulgate)	English (TLH)
Ad te levávi ánimam méam: Déus méus in te confído, non erubéscam: neque irrídeant me inimíci méi: étenim univérsi qui te exspéctant, non confundéntur.	Unto Thee, O Lord: do I lifeth up my soul. O my God, I trust in Thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Populus Zion

Pronunciation: pop-OO-LOOS Zi-on

Second Sunday in Advent – The Gospel reading recalls the preaching of John the Baptist, who came to “prepare the way of the Lord”

Meaning/reference: Latin Vulgate of Isaiah 62:11b (“people of Zion”). The ESV translates as “daughter of Zion”. This is the opening phrase of the Introit — “Say to the daughter (people) of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes. …’”

Gaudete

Pronunciation: gow-DET-eh

Third Sunday in Advent – The Gospel reading is again about John the Baptist, the other readings about the joy associated with the coming of the Savior.

Meaning/reference: Latin Vulgate from Philippians 4:4–6/Psalm 85:1 (“Rejoice”), the first word of the Introit:

Latin (Vulgate)	English
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob.	Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.

Rorate coeli

Pronunciation: Roar-at-ee Cayley (or Shaylee) or ror-ah-tay ky-lee

Fourth Sunday in Advent – The Gospel reading is about the events involving Mary and Joseph that led directly to the birth of Jesus, while the other readings are related to these.

Meaning/reference: Latin Vulgate of the opening words of Isaiah 45:8 (“Drop down, ye heavens”):

Latin (Vulgate)	English
Roráte caéli désuper, et núbes plúant jústum.	Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness.