January seems like a good time to study the second declension noun, Jesus, Jesu, as it is one of a small set of special words which doesn’t follow the same pattern as the other second declension nouns.

The vocative forms of Deus, Filius and Jesus all deviate from the standard form, with Jesus having some additional differences.

Here is the standard paradigm for 2nd declension masculine nouns, including the vocative case:

Now here is the paradigm for Jesus, Jesu (m) = Jesus

As you can see, all cases except for the nominative (Jesus) and the Accusative (Jesum) take the same form, Jesu.

Notes

• Second declension nouns ending in -us which are proper nouns are irregular: their vocative form ends in -ii (or -i). Example = Vergilius, Vergilii
• Other than for prayers, the vocative is not usually found at the beginning of a Latin sentence

Jesus, Jesu – Reading practice

Jesu Fili Dei altissimi

O Jesus, Son of the Most High God

In nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur

In the name of Jesus let every knee bow

… et ad alium discipulum quem amabat Jesus

… and to the other disciple Jesus loved

est retrorsum et videt Jesum stantem

she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing

To learn more about Latin Grammar, click here

To read Scripture in Latin (online) click here

If you would like to learn the Litany of the Holy Name in Latin, click here