Not everyone wants to be a Latin scholar, tucked away in a library, spending the day translating works into or from the sacred Language of the Church. However, many of us want have a working knowledge of this beautiful language, to better appreciate the Mass and our Catholic Faith. So here are my 4 daily habits which will improve your Latin and best of all, they are easy to incorporate into your schedule.

Habit #1: Drill

If you have used my course, Latina Rosarii, then you’ll know that daily drill is a big part of learning Latin, or any new language. So what exactly is ‘drill’ and how can you fit it into your already busy day?

Drill is simply repetition, and when studying Latin, there are three main components to concentrate on learning: vocabulary, verb conjugations, and noun declensions. The vocabulary can practised from a list or from flashcards, going from Latin to English and English to Latin, while the conjugations and declensions can be learned in tables called ‘paradigms’ or ‘chants’. (See below for a free downloadable paradigm chart.)

For best results, drill should be done orally (out loud) because speaking the language helps make it ‘stick’ in your memory. This could be done while driving or taking the train, while doing the dishes or while exercising.

Habit #2: Flashcards

As mentioned above, using flashcards is a great way to improve your Latin vocabulary. Simply write the words you want to remember on index cards, or make them in a design programme such as Canva.

If you would prefer someone else to do the work, a pdf set of flashcards containing the entire vocabulary from the Latin Rosarii course is available here for purchase. (This includes all the words from the Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, and other Rosary prayers, as well as the words from the Angelus.)

Habit #3: Translation

Another really useful daily practise is to translate a short passage. Translating a couple of Scripture verses is ideal – take a look here at the Vulgate online. It gives the entire Bible in Latin with the English translation below so you can check your work.

Habit #4: Praying in Latin

Apart from speaking Latin aloud when you recite the paradigms, praying in Latin gives you even more opportunity to practice the pronunciation and internalise the vocabulary. Since it is an excellent Catholic practise to pray the Rosary daily, then it makes sense to pray it in Latin, at least some of the time.

You can find some Latin prayers, including the Rosary on this page. And click here to download a copy of the Rosary in Latin.

One Last Way to Improve your Latin

There is one more daily habit which is sure to help you with your Latin studies: ask the saints to help you! I recommend St. Thomas Aquinas and the Holy Souls in Purgatory. They have certainly helped me to improve. Other saints you may wish to call on are St. Jerome, St. Francis de Sales and St. Joseph of Cupertino.

A Handy Paradigm Chart