Marian

Loving Mother of the Redeemer

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Alma Redemptoris Mater is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons of the Roman Office. Its text is medieval and is traditionally associated with Blessed Hermann of Reichenau, though its authorship is not certain. In the traditional Roman Breviary, it is sung after Compline from the beginning of Advent through the Feast of the Purification on February 2. The antiphon honors Mary as Mother of the Redeemer, Gate of Heaven, and Star of the Sea. Catholics pray it to seek her maternal help in rising from sin and persevering toward Christ. The versicle and collect change at Christmas to reflect the mystery of the Nativity.

Loving Mother of the Redeemer, Gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist thy people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature thou didst bear thy Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. Thou who didst receive Gabriel's joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners. During Advent: V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen. From Christmas: V. After childbirth thou didst remain a pure virgin. R. Intercede for us, O Mother of God. Let us pray. O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. R. Amen.

In 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. Tempore Adventus: V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae. R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. Oremus. Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus; per passionem eius et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. A Nativitate Domini: V. Post partum, Virgo, inviolata permansisti. R. Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis. Oremus. Deus, qui salutis aeternae, beatae Mariae virginitate fecunda, humano generi praemia praestitisti: tribue, quaesumus; ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus auctorem vitae suscipere, Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum. R. Amen.

When to pray it: Pray or sing this antiphon after Compline from the beginning of Advent through February 2, using the appropriate seasonal versicle and collect.

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