Papal Documents of Interest to the Latinist

and/or Student of Philosophy, Religion, and

the History of Ideas.

compiled by John Piazza

Most of these documents are rarely read outside of Catholic circles, but their significance extends beyond this relatively small circle. I have chosen documents which have particular bearing on the issues of Latin (and therefore tradition), religious life in the modern world, prayer and meditation, and so on. My listing and commentary are far from exhaustive, but I hope that this guide might help introduce people to a very interesting tradition that goes back to the beginnings of the Church. That these documents are still composed (or translated) in Latin shows us a fascinating example of an unbroken religious and cultural tradition. Regardless of your stance regarding the Church, its continuity and significance for us as westerners cannot be ignored.

John XXIII

Veterum Sapientia English and Latin

Some might call this Latin’s last gasp before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Pope John XXIII, a great reformer, also had a deep connection with, and reverence for, the ancient tradition and language of the Church. When he realized that his reforms were threatening Latin itself, he came out with this impassioned defense.

John Paul II

Fides et Ratio English and Latin

Of particular interest to students of comparative religion, John Paul II places Catholocism within broader context of the human search for meaning, represented by the ancient Greek exhortation, “know thyself.” As the title indicates, this document address the relationship between faith and reason.

Rosarium Virginis Mariae English and Latin

The Rosary is an interesting part of the Catholic faith, one which is perhaps as misunderstood as it is loved. John Paul II designated 2002 the “year of the rosary,” and in this document, explains its significance within the Church, as well as the broader context of the human need for meditative prayer. Also, click here for my own statement of the significance of the Rosary, one which draws heavily from this and other papal documents.

Paul VI

Marialis Cultus English and Latin

This letter, written in 1974, is a decisive statement of the role of the Rosary in Catholic life, which had been somewhat vague because the Second Vatican Council had made no mention of it.