Átaremma, Aia María, and Alcar i Ataren: Prayers of the Rosary in Quenya

Video by my dear friend Zachary Gochenhour

It comes as no surprise that Tolkien, being both devoted to his Catholic faith and the study of language, found a way to combine his two passions — by translating several prayers into Quenya. Almost enough to pray an entire Rosary if you wanted to.

Good morning, did you know Tolkien translated Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be into Quenya so you could almost pray the an entire Rosary in Elvish?

— Tea with Tolkien (@TeawithTolkien) August 10, 2018

Átaremma  | Pater Noster

Átaremma i ëa han Eä

na airë esselya

aranielya na tuluva

na carë indómelya

cemendë tambe Erumandë

ámen anta síra ilaurëa massamma

ar ámen apsenë úcaremmar

sív’ emmë apsenet tien i úcarir emmen

álamë tulya úsahtienna

mal ámë etelehta ulcullo: násië

(source)

Aia María | Ave Maria

Aia María quanta Eruanno

i Héru aselyë

aistana elyë imíca nísi

ar aistana i yávë mónalyo Yésus

Airë María Eruo ontaril

á hyamë rámen úcarindor

sí ar lúmessë ya firuvammë: násië

(source)

Alcar i Ataren | Gloria Patri 

alcar i Ataren ar i Yondon ar i Airefean

tambë engë i et...

(source)

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Sub tuum praesidium

Alough the Sub tuum praesidium isn’t a part of the Rosary but it was one of Tolkien’s favorite prayers and he also translated it into Quenya — you can listen to it here.

Ortírielyanna rucimme, Aina Eruontari,

alalye nattira arca·ndemmar sangiessemman

ono alye eterúna me illume ilya raxellor alcarin

Vénde ar manaquenta.

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Would you pray in Quenya? Personally, because I’m not as familiar with it as I am with English or even Latin, I think it would be a bit distracting for me and it could feel like too much of a novelty. However, if you were well-versed in Quenya, I imagine praying these ancient prayers in such a beautiful language would be an incredible experience. Comment below with your thoughts or @ me on twitter.