Dead Theologians Society - Eastside

If you are interested in Learning Church Latin - look no further.  I have come accross the best text yet for assisting you in your desire to follow the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and the Breviary as well as to help you understand the treasured prayers of the Church more fully.

Diamond's Liturgical Latin by Wilfrid Diamond

A simple method of learning the Latin of the missal for private study and as a class text in High Schools, Noviates and study clubs.

Benziger Brothers, Inc.
Printers to the Holy Apostolic SEE - 1941

From the Forward of the Text written by Fr. Alfred Barrett, S.J.:

Of Church Latin Father Ronald Knox once wrote that "it was not meant to mystify; it was meant to express, not to conceal the emotions and aspirations of the universal Church."  Wilfrid Diamond's apostolate has been to give to as many people as he could reach the meaning of the Mass and the Breviary through a correspondence course which he conceived and carried through as a hobby.  Several years ago the editor of America, the national Jesuit weekly, asked the writer of this Forward to interview Mr. Diamond.  When I leaned that Mr. Diamond's mimeographed lessons had taught Church Latin to more than 400 individuals in the United States and over fifteen foreign countries, that it had been used in over fifty high schools, when I saw testimonials from Carmelite nuns, seminarians, Marist Brothers, doctors, housewives and other lay people, a book seemed to be in order.  This is that book.

There are some key features of this text that separates it from other Latin texts: 
 

• Vocabularies & Exercises are taken directly from the Liturgy - not from Caesar or Cicero - this is very important since classical Latin and Liturgical Latin differ significantly.  Learning the vocabularies from classical texts account for only about 1/3 of the vocabulary.
• Common Prayers are more easily memorized and understood as they are part of the learning process integrated within the text.  You are encouraged to memorize the sign of the cross, Hail Mary, Our Father and Anima Christi in the first 45 pages.
• Grammar and Syntax is minimized to what is essential - the greater focus is on vocabulary.  By the 5th Chapter you will have been exposed to over 200 words; a great many of which you will not find in other text books or standard Latin dictionaries.

Mind you this is not a comprehensive text such as Wheeler's - but Wheeler's will take tremendous effort and your reward will be limited to classical reading and you will find yourself struggling with reading the Missal and Breviary.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy, you can find bound (scanned/facsimile) copies which are bound here on eBay.  For an original 1941 used copy, try Amazon.com and search for Diamond's Liturgical Latin or simply click here which will do it for you.