Por Corrine Ardoin |

I had some difficulty translating a couple of phrases found in parish
marriage records. I discovered they are Latin phrases that seem to be
terms used in parish documents that have specific meaning. I found some of
them in a law dictionary. One of these phrases is "in fasie eclesia." In
fasie, in the law dictionary, means "in the presence of," so the term, I
concluded, since "eclesia" refers to the church, would translate as "in the
presence of the church."

The next phrase is "inter missarum solemnia." The word "inter" means
"among" and "solemnia," looks like "solemn," so this term would translate as
"among solemn....." Well, that's all I figured out so far. This is in an
1896 record. But, as I recall, even in the 1960's when I attended my
Catholic church in Southern California, the mass was still in Latin, so I
guess it shouldn't come as any surprise to find Latin terms as recent as the
late 1800's.

One of the sentences I am having particular difficulty with, I was hoping
someone could help me with. The document starts out with the usual
introduction of where it is and who is writing the document. Then it goes
into what was done there, saying, "previas las diligencias de estilo y
examen de la doctrina cristiana caso y velo in fasie eclesia, a ....."
Then, it gives the grooms and brides names, their information, etc. So far,
I have translated it as "foresaw the formalities and examination of the
christian doctrine marry and watch over in the presence of the church,
to...." But, this doesn't make any sense. Anyone have any ideas?

Corrine Ardoin

A non literal translation could be:
"After doing all I was supposed to do according to the Catholic rites, I marry and watch over before the Church (or in the front part of the building, as conrique says) these persons..."
Or:
"after the formalities and examination of the christian doctrine I marry and I watch over before the Church, this guy and his bride...."
Regards,
VN

The actual Latin phrase is "in facie ecclesiae". The word 'facie' refers to the 'face'. The Spanish word "faz" is derived from this word. "Ecclesiae" means 'congregation in Latin. It doesn't really refer to the building, church. Literally the phrase means "in the face of the congregation". The requirement was for the entire group of the faithful to be informed of the marriage. This would minimize the chance of an invalid marriage. I agree with Efrain's excellent translation of the rest.

David in Albany

-----Original Message-----
>From: Efrain Conrique
>Sent: Jun 12, 2007 7:33 PM
>To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
>Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Latin in Marriage Record
>
>Corrine,
>
>in fasie eclesia = in front of the church. (The custom being for 'public'
>announcements to happen at the entrance or the front steps [when there were
>steps] of the church). I am reminded of this custom when, in California, I
>see a foreclosure sale of real estate performed/announced in the front
>steps of the court.
>
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Corrine Ardoin
>> To:
>> Date: 6/12/2007 5:02:56 PM
>> Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Latin in Marriage Record
>>
>> I had some difficulty translating a couple of phrases found in parish
>> marriage records. I discovered they are Latin phrases that seem to be
>> terms used in parish documents that have specific meaning. I found some
> of them in a law dictionary. One of these phrases is "in fasie eclesia." In
>> fasie, in the law dictionary, means "in the presence of," so the term, I
>> concluded, since "eclesia" refers to the church, would translate as "in
> the presence of the church."

David P. Delgado

Corrine,

in fasie eclesia = in front of the church. (The custom being for 'public'
announcements to happen at the entrance or the front steps [when there were
steps] of the church). I am reminded of this custom when, in California, I
see a foreclosure sale of real estate performed/announced in the front
steps of the court.

inter missarum solemnia = during solemn Mass. (The Council of Trent decreed
in 1533 that, before performing a marriage, the proper curate proclaim
three times, on three following feast days, in the church, while
celebrating Grand Mass [inter missarium solemnia], who the persons were to
(contraer matrimonio) contract for marriage.

As to your last paragraph: ---
.... previously having performed the customary measures (or to take the
necessary steps) and examination about Christian doctrine ... cas

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