17-28 August 2015 Summer Term
at the
BENEDICTINE STUDIES & ARTS CENTRE
EALING, LONDON
We work patiently, using authentic Latin texts for a clear understanding of what the author originally said. No rushing to impress others, just clear concise understanding. We follow the teaching method of Reginald Foster.
We offer proficient Latin instruction according to two strands of literature: Cicero’s letters and liturgical Latin.
Cicero’s Letters. A patient and detailed reading of selected letters of Cicero leads students to appreciate his expression. We teach Latin from the book in preparation by Reginald Foster and Daniel McCarthy (read more here). The almost spontaneous thought of Cicero as he jotted down these letters provide in ordinary language provides a synthetic review of the entire language as it was naturally written. We strive for a clear understanding of the multiple and even exceptional usages of the subjunctive in their natural occurances in this literature, as well as the use of indirect discourse, gerunds and gerundives along with the natural meaning of participles.
Proficient Latin for Liturgists. Readings in liturgical latin, that is prayers of the liturgy and prose on the liturgy from every age lead us in our appreciation of the language. We present clearly the sequence of tenses and the use of object sentences. Students learn to distinguish the various uses of the subjunctive, especially the purpose and result clause. Students develop the ability to switch from gerund to gerundive and vice versa. This course is offered at the graduate level for 4 credits (4ECTS) through KU Leuven or you may audit the course (no exames, no credit; eventual information here).
A facility with the forms of the subjunctive and an awareness of its uses is presumed of participants in this course.
Summer Term, 2015. Classes are held daily from Monday 17 August for two weeks until Friday 28 August (not Saturday – Sunday 22 – 23 August). Enrol for the first week or for both weeks. Instruction given every afternoon from 14:30 – 17:30.
Enquire and Enrol. More information will be available on this page at BSAC where updates will appear in due course.
Reginald Foster. Our method of teaching the Latin language was developed by Fr Reginald Foster, former papal Latinist who tought Latin to many generations in Rome. Over fourty years of helping people to grow fast and solidly in the knowledge and use and appreciation of Latin has guided him in developing his method of teaching Latin (more here).
Tutor.
Daniel McCarthy first studied with Reginald Foster in 1999 in Rome and continued while earning a doctorate in sacred liturgy (more here). Their collaboration has developed to include several publications.
Their first volume presents the Latin language from the first lesson through lesson 105 over the course of three academic years. Ossa Latinitatis Sola ad mentem Reginaldi rationemque: The mere bones of Latin according to the thought and system of Reginald, Catholic University of America Press, forthcoming (more here).
Their second volume presents selected letters of Cicero with an explanation of the Latin language used by him in his daily and even familiar correspondence. The volume is in preparation (more here).
Their first publication of Foster’s method is available as the chapter: “Collectarum Latinitas”, in Appreciating the Collect: An Irenic Methodology, ed. J.G. Leachman – D.P. McCarthy (Documenta rerum ecclesiasticarum instaurata, Liturgiam aestimare: Appreciating the Liturgy 1), St. Michael’s Abbey Press, Farnborough 2008 (available here).
They have also collaborated in publishing their renderings of Latin prayers in clear English. These were appeared in the weekly column, Listen to the Word published in The Tablet of London from 18 march 2006 – 26 November 2011 (list here).
The commentaries on the opening prayers were collected in the following volume: Listen to the Word: Commentaries on Selected Opening Prayers of Sundays and Feasts with Sample Homilies. Revised from articles that appeared in The Tablet 18 march 2006 – 15 September 2007, augmented with five Homilies, The Tablet Publishing, London 2009 (available here).
They also collaborated on the English renderings of the Latin texts of the Easter vigil in: Transition in the Easter vigil, Becoming Christians: Paschali in vigilia Christiani nominis fieri, ed. D.P. McCarthy – J.G. Leachman (Documenta rerum ecclesiasticarum instaurata, Liturgiam aestimare: Appreciating the Liturgy 1), St. Michael’s Abbey Press, Farnborough forthcoming, 27-56.
Lewis, C.T., – C . Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford UP, Oxford – New York 1879, reprinted 1995.
Gildersleeve, B.L, – G. Lodge, Gildersleeve’s Latin Grammar, Bolchazy-Carducci, Wauconda IL 2003, reprint of 31895.
Contact: Schedule a visit or write to:
Mrs Ann-Marie Ryan, MTh, Registrar and Course Coordinator
Benedictine Study and Arts Centre
74 Castlebar Road, Ealing, London W5 2DD, UK
enquiries: +44 (0)208 862 2156 fax +44 (0)208 862 2133
E-mail: il AT bsac.ac DOT uk
Location of BSAC on Google Maps is found here.
More information on travel to BSAC by air, train or metro and on accommodation at or near Ealing Abbey is available on the web-site of the Liturgy Institute under the button: Courses 2012. There you can also find the procedure for enrolling in non-credit courses at BSAC (IL enquiry form and enrolment form here) and for enrolling in graduate credit courses accredited by KU Leuven and taught at BSAC (KU Leuven enrolment information here).
