Alma Redemptoris Mater

Madonna by Raphael, an example of Marian art

Roman Catholic Mariology A series of articles on
Marian Prayers
Alma Redemptoris Mater Angelus As a Child I Loved You Ave Maris Stella Ave Regina Caelorum Fatima Prayers Flos Carmeli Hail Mary Hail Mary of Gold Immaculata prayer Immaculate Mary Magnificat Mary Our Queen Memorare Regina Coeli Rosary Salve Regina Stabat Mater Sub tuum praesidium Three Hail Marys

Alma Redemptoris Mater (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈalma redɛmpˈtoris ˈmatɛr]; English: Loving Mother of our Savior) is a Marian hymn, written in Latin hexameters, and one of four liturgical Marian antiphons (the other three being: Ave Regina caelorum, Regina coeli and Salve Regina), and sung at the end of the office of Compline. Hermannus Contractus (Herman the Cripple) (1013–1054) is said to have authored the hymn based on the writings of Ss. Fulgentius, Epiphanius, and Irenaeus of Lyon. It is mentioned in "The Prioress's Tale", one of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Formerly it was recited at compline only from the first Sunday in Advent until the Feast of the Purification (February 2).

Text

Latin

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli

Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,

Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem

Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore

Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

From the first Sunday of Advent until Christmas Eve:

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae

R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

Oremus

Gratiam tuam quæsumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem ejus et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

From First Vespers of Christmas until the Presentation:

V. Post Partum Virgo inviolata permansisti.

R. Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis.

Oremus

Deus, qui salutis aeternae beatae Mariae virginitate foecunda humano generi praemia praestitisti: tribue, quaesumus, ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus, Auctorem vitae suscipere Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. Amen.

English translation

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea,

assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,

yet remained a virgin after as before.

You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,

have pity on us poor sinners.

From the first Sunday of Advent until Christmas Eve:

V. The Angel of the Lord brought tidings unto Mary

R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Let us pray.

Pour thy grace into our hearts, we beseech thee, O Lord, that as have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by His passion and cross, we may be brought to the glory of his Resurrection; through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

From First Vespers of Christmas until the Presentation:

V. After childbirth, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate.

R. O Mother of God, plead for us.

Let us pray.

O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech You, that we may experience her intercession for us, by whom we deserved to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.