Vade in pace
“Go in peace.”
Vulgate, Luke 7:50
What does “Vade in pace” mean?
Vade in pace translates as “Go in peace.”
It is a blessing of farewell and forgiveness, sending someone on their way reconciled and at peace.
“Vade in pace” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Vade | go! | a command (imperative) of vado, “to go, to walk”; addressed to one person. To a group: ite |
| in | in | preposition taking the ablative here, meaning “in” a state or condition |
| pace | peace | ablative singular of pax, “peace”, governed by in |
How to pronounce “Vade in pace”
The differences are in the first and last words: Classical has w in vade and a hard k in pace, while Church Latin has v and a soft ch. The stress falls on the first syllable of vade and of pace in both systems.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “go in peace”. It is the wording of the Vulgate, the Latin Bible translated largely by Jerome in the late 4th century, at Luke 7:50.
In that scene Jesus speaks the words to a woman who has anointed his feet, after telling her that her faith has saved her. The line is therefore both a dismissal and a blessing: she leaves forgiven and at peace.
The phrase has remained a traditional Christian blessing of farewell. Its wording is also close to other biblical farewells, such as the Vulgate’s “vade in pace” in Mark 5:34, which is why it feels familiar to many readers.
How to use “Vade in pace”
A gentle sign-off for a retirement card, a memorial or the departure of a colleague or friend. It also suits a tattoo or inscription for someone who values reconciliation and calm.
- Latin
- Vade in pace
- English
- Go in peace.
- Source
- Vulgate, Luke 7:50
- Era
- Church Latin
- Theme
- Peace
Common mistakes
- Speaking to several people? The command changes to ite in pace, since vade is for one person only.
- Do not write “vade in pacem”. After in meaning “in a state of”, Latin uses the ablative pace, not the accusative pacem.
- It is not a command to leave in anger or dismissal; in context it is a kind blessing, so tone matters when you use it on a card.
Questions about “Vade in pace”
What does “Vade in pace” mean literally?
“Go in peace.” Vade is the command “go” and in pace means “in peace”.
Where does “Vade in pace” come from?
It is from the Latin Vulgate Bible, Luke 7:50, where Jesus says it to the woman who anointed his feet.
How do you pronounce “Vade in pace”?
In Church Latin it is VAH-deh in PAH-cheh. In Classical Latin it is WAH-deh in PAH-keh.
Is “Vade in pace” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, for one person. For a group use “Ite in pace”, and keep pace in the ablative.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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