Dusty Phrases

Hi! Welcome to “Dusty Phrases.” You will find below an ancient phrase in one language or another, along with its English translation. You may also find the power to inspire your friends or provoke dread among your enemies.

For other examples, visit HERE:

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Latin:

Nunc Coepi

English:

Now I begin

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This Latin phrase – though certainly used even in ancient times – has a relatively modern popularity, dating to the 18th and 19th century ministry of Bruno Lanteri, and much more recently to the National Football League’s Phillip Rivers. An odd pairing? Perhaps. However, we should never underestimate the power of unification under the Latin tongue.

via omvusa.org

“If I should fall even a thousand times a day, a thousand times, with peaceful repentance, I will say immediately, Nunc Coepi [Now I begin]”Venerable Bruno Lanteri

This quote, from Venerable Bruno Lanteri, is an encouraging word to all of us who are trying to do our best within the limitations, weaknesses and sinfulness that are a part of our person.

When it comes to our lives and those of others, we often focus on the things we do wrong. Seeing sins and mistakes can call us to question our own goodness and that of others and cause us to make judgments that are not true.

As important as it is to honestly face those areas of our life that need to be transformed and forgiven, we also cannot let them paralyze us. We need to get up quickly and try again – to try to be good, kind, generous and loving. The longer we stay down, the more difficult it is to get up. We have to get up again more and more quickly so that the grace of God’s forgiveness can affect our lives and those of others.

This same idea was a key aspect of the pastoral approach of the Founder of our community, Venerable Bruno Lanteri. In October of 2007, as a way to celebrate and honor Venerable Lanteri’s life, the Oblates of the Virgin Mary held a spiritual concert at St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine in Boston, Massachusetts, entitled Nunc Coepi.

What Does Nunc Coepi Mean?

The translation of Nunc Coepi is “now I begin.” These words are taken from Psalm 77:10 in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible, and it is a key phrase in the life and ministry of Venerable Lanteri. They provided the motivation for his ministry and capture the way in which he treated the souls who were entrusted to his care.

What does Philip Rivers have to do with this quote? He publicly named it as his family motto (following in the long and ancient tradition of warriors adopting Latin phrases as family mottos.) I have not been able to determine if there was also heraldry created, but I can hope.

via aleteia.org

Philip Rivers reveals why his famous “nunc coepi” is a helpful family motto

Cerith Gardiner – published on 06/20/20

The quarterback dad of nine is keen to bring a 19th-century priest’s inspiration to his family and sporting life.When Philip Rivers recently signed with the Indianapolis Colts, he didn’t just bring along his football skills, he also brought his “nunc coepi” attitude that is becoming nearly as famous as the dad of nine himself.

The quarterback has spoken quite openly about what the Latin words  — which translate roughly as “begin now” — mean to him, and how that notion of beginning again has been important throughout his football career. However, in a recent remote press conference, the 38-year-old revealed how those two words from the classics can apply just as much to home life as they can to our work.

The origins of “nunc coepi” are said to come from the Italian Catholic priest, Venerable Bruno Lanteri, who at the beginning of the 19th century reportedly said these encouraging words to those who were doing their best but not always making the grade:

“If I should fall even a thousand times a day, a thousand times, with peaceful repentance, I will say immediately, ‘Nunc Coepi’ [Now I begin]”

Rivers shared in the Zoom meeting with the media how he feels these words are just as inspiring for his kids: “In the classroom, if they are struggling in math or they have a bad test grade, well, ‘Nunc Coepi.’” And for some kids who feel they’re constantly failing or unable to succeed in their goals — whether it’s being good in tests or being nice to their younger sibling — these words can only encourage them to not give up.

It’s also the perfect reminder for kids when they have to reluctantly tidy their rooms, or clear the dishes.

The sports star points out how his favorite phrase can apply to household tasks, too. “I’ve seen it used also like a big stack of laundry or a bunch of dishes in the sink. If you look at the whole big pile, it looks like a lot. But if you just begin again, begin again, being again, and begin again, you look up and then the sink will be clean and the laundry will be folded. So there it is.”

From sporting hero to inspirational dad, parents and kids everywhere can learn from one of Rivers’ life mottoes — “nunc coepi.”

I approve of the intention of the phrase and of its use as a motto. We cannot always determine where we start, or where life takes us. What we can do is begin, and make a daily habit of beginning, where we are.