animarum

Animarum is a Latin phrase meaning “of the souls,” formed as the genitive plural of anima, which means soul. In Latin grammar, animarum functions to attribute something to the souls, or to describe matters concerning the souls, rather than as an independent concept.

In ecclesiastical and devotional usage, animarum appears in Latin texts to denote prayers, suffrages, or commemorations for the souls of the faithful, especially the deceased. It is commonly found in medieval and early modern Catholic writings and liturgical contexts, where it helps specify the intention of prayers or rites directed toward the souls in purgatory or in memory of the dead.

Because animarum is a grammatical form rather than a standalone doctrine, its significance lies in the broader practice of praying for the dead within Christian tradition. The phrase may appear in liturgical rubrics, scriptural commentaries, or devotional manuals as part of titles or descriptions, such as references to prayers “for the souls” or to the souls’ well-being in religious texts and inscriptions. It can also appear in the Latin names of religious houses, schools, or confraternities that emphasize care for the departed.

Today, animarum is most often encountered in historical, philological, or liturgical discussions of Latin texts. It is not a modern theological term with a distinct doctrine, but a linguistic form that reflects the enduring Catholic and Christian practice of remembering and praying for the souls of the faithful dead.