Conversatio

Conversatio is a Latin noun meaning "conversation" or, more broadly, "living with others"—social intercourse or a manner of life. It derives from the verb conversari, meaning to turn together or to associate. In classical Latin, the term often referred to everyday discourse and the conduct of life within a community, encompassing both talk and social interaction.

In Christian and monastic contexts, conversatio morum is a standard phrase usually rendered as "conversion of life" or "way of life." It denotes the ongoing reform of conduct in accordance with faith and virtue. The concept is central in Western monasticism and spiritual formation, and it is listed as one of the three traditional Benedictine vows: stabilitas loci (stability of place), conversatio morum (conversion of life), and obedientia (obedience).

In scholarly and ecclesiastical usage, conversatio morum highlights the expectation that belief be embodied in daily actions rather than confined to belief alone. The Latin term thus intersects with discussions of ethics, spirituality, and communal rule within medieval and patristic literature.

Modern English usage typically prefers the word "conversation" for ordinary dialogue; "conversatio" survives chiefly in historical, theological, or liturgical contexts. The English derivative "conversation" reflects the same Latin root, while the specialized sense found in monastic writings remains a distinct, if obscure, usage within religious history.