[knarf]

Ad deum qui latificat uventutem meum ... I never knew what I was saying

[BlackElk]

I believe that one is "I go unto the altar of God, to God the joy of my youth..." Parochial schools should have taught Latin for both religious reasons and since about 60% of English words (and a higher percentage of the complex or scholarly ones) have Latin roots. A knowledge of Latin vocabulary is necessary or necessarily implied in anyone's understanding of English. We just tend not to remember that nowadays.

Did you study Latin before praying the altar boy's opening prayer at Mass? Like most worthwhile things learning Latin or Greek or modern foreign languages does require some scholarship and effort.

For those unwilling or unable to learn a language other than their native language, there were missals, Latin page on the left, vernacular on the right, complete with drawings of what the priest is doing as the prayers flow by. Grammar school children handled that with ease and still do if they are fortunate enough to attend Tridentine (old Latin) Masses.

[Campion]

Ad deum qui latificat uventutem meum ... I never knew what I was saying

"Introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat iuventutem meum ..." ... "I will go unto the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth".

You were reciting Scripture. It's Psalm 43, verse 4.