Yes, we are going to learn Latin!

The Holy Father is exhorting us and so we listen. Truth be told, I haven't made it through all of Sacramentum Caritatis. I'm still working on it. But this stands out to me:

Similarly, the better-known prayers of the Church's tradition should be recited in Latin and, if possible, selections of Gregorian chant should be sung.

It's no secret that we have a bit of a "start and stop" relationship with Latin around here.  The same tow-headed boy who groaned on the way to Fr. M's Latin class when he was twelve, has now informed us that he desires a Classical Curriculum in college. Alrighty then. And the only thing he'd change about his home education? More grammar. Who knew?

Alas, God, the Pope, and Michael are telling me it's right and good to learn Latin (and Greek, but that's a different post). And we will. But I'm putting away the Latin books until next fall.  Then, someone else can help me teach.

In the meantime, and most urgently, in light of the above quote, I'm going to buckle down and learn these prayers with my children. I am so blessed to be a parishioner at a church which has been working towards this for eight years.

The Latin curriculum for the foreseeable future in this house is A Guide to Gregorian Chant by Rosemary Renninger.  This CD comes with a very complete liner with the entire texts of 25 common chants used throughout the liturgical year. Prayers are spoken and then sung using Roman liturgical pronunciation. The spoken tracks are clear and lyrical which aids memorization. Truthfully, it isn't my children's favorite CD, but I'm counting on them thanking me later!