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In this lesson in Classical Grammar, we study the comparison of adjectives in English. In lesson 02, we studied the parts of speech and learned the following: “Such words as can stand immediately before a substantive, to denote some property that we perceive in objects, is called a noun adjective, or merely an adjective.” In this lesson, we learn more about the characteristics of adjectives. 53. Adjectives are not declined in the English language. In classical languages, adjectives are declined. There are different forms of adjectives that must be matched to substantives to signify their gender, number and case. In … Continue

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) was born and nurtured in poverty, and chose it also for his portion. Unable to learn a trade, he became the servant of the poor in the hospital of Medina, while still pursuing his sacred studies. In 1563, being then twenty-one, he humbly offered himself as a lay-brother to the Carmelite friars, who, however, knowing his talents, had him ordained priest. He would now have exchanged to the severe Carthusian Order, had not St. Teresa of Avila, with the instinct of a Saint, persuaded him to remain and help her in the reform of … Continue

The selection above is a musical setting by Claudio Monteverdi for evening prayers (vespers) on the eve of Marian feast days. Monteverdi lived from 1567 to 1643, and composed this work 1610 and dedicated it to Pope Paul V. Monteverdi is important for us as we consider the restoration of classical Catholic education and the real-life challenges we face a parents and students. The patron saint of students is St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who lived from 1568-1591, dying at age 23. Catholic parents often speak of “raising saints” as if this is a matter of choosing. The truth, however, is that … Continue

The following is taken from Thomas Taylor’s “Theoretic Arithmetic” (1818)[efn_note]Taylor, Thomas. Theoretic Arithmetic. (1818) https://classicalliberalarts.com/resources/Theoretic_arithmetic.pdf[/efn_note] Arithmetic is to be learned the first of the mathematical sciences, because it has the relation of a principle and mother to all the rest. For it is prior to all of them, not only because the fabricator[efn_note]See: https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=fabricator[/efn_note] of the universe employed this as the first paradigm of his distributed intellection[efn_note]See: https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=intellection[/efn_note], and constituted all things according to number. But the priority of Arithmetic is also evinced by this, that whenever that which is prior by nature is subverted, that which is posterior is … Continue

In this lesson, we study chapter 21 of Book I of the Latin Grammar of Emmanuel Alvarez. This is a translation of chapter 21 of Book I of the Latin Grammar of Rev. Emmanuel Alvarez, S.J., by William C. Michael l. Genitivus pluralis declinationis primae, secundae ac tertiae interdum, praesertim a poetis, minuitur, quam imminutionem Graeci “syncopen” vocant. The Genitive plural of the declension first, second and third sometimes, especially by (the) poets, is abbreviated, which abbreviation (the) Greeks “Syncope” call. The topic of this lesson is simply the use of syncope, or “abbreviation”, in Latin, where the normal plural … Continue

A Lion, a Heifer, a Goat, and a Sheep once agreed to share whatever each might catch in hunting. A fine fat stag fell into a snare set by the Goat, who thereupon called the rest together. The Lion divided the stag into four parts. Taking the best piece for himself, he said, “This is mine of course, as I am the Lion;” taking another portion, he added, “This too is mine by right—the right, if you must know, of the strongest.” Further, putting aside the third piece, “That’s for the most valiant,” said he; “and as for the remaining … Continue

You have pulled the kids out of school. Now what? This is a situation being faced by many Christian parents as the problems in modern schools force them to take actions they must take, but never planned to take. Removing the kids from school is an important first step, but now the challenge of homeschooling begins. Ini this talk, I discuss what parents need to do after they’ve pulled their children out of school and are ready to begin homeschooling. Tell us about what’s going on in the lives of your children affects you when the children are young. But … Continue