Marian Antiphons

These four great hymns are sung throughout the year at Compline (night prayer). In many places, they are also sung after Mass during the proper seasons. They were composed during the Medieval Era.

"Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5)

Alma Redemptoris Mater

(From the First Sunday Advent to the Feast of the Presentation)

ALMA Redemptoris Mater,
quæ pervia cæli Porta manes,
et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
surgere qui curat, populo:
tu quæ genuisti, natura mirante,
tuum sanctum Genitorem Virgo prius ac posterius,
Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud Ave,
peccatorum miserere. 		GRACIOUS Mother of the Redeemer,
forever abiding Heaven’s gateway,
and star of the sea,
O succor the people,
Who, though falling, strive to rise again.
Thou Maiden who bearest thy holy Creator,
to the wonder of all nature;
Ever Virgin, after,
as before thou receivedst that Ave
From the mouth of Gabriel;
have compassion on us sinners.

Composed by Blessed Hermann of Reichenau (1013 – 1054)

Ave Regina Cælorum

(After the Presentation to Holy Saturday)

AVE, Regina cælorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

HAIL, Holy Queen
of Heaven Enthroned!
Hail, by angels mistress owned!
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world’s true light was born.

Glorious Virgin, joy to you!
Loveliest whom in Heaven we see.
Fairest thou where all are fair,
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

Circa 12th Century, author unknown.

Regina Cæli

(From Easter Vigil to Pentecost)

REGINA, cæli, lætare, alleluia:
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. 		QUEEN of heaven rejoice! alleluia:
For He whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia,
Has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Composed prior to the 12th Century, author unknown although legend has it that Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540 – 604) heard angels chanting the first three lines one Easter morning in Rome, while he was walking barefoot in a religious procession behind the icon of the Virgin written by Saint Luke. Gregory himself was inspired to add the fourth line.

Salve Regina

(from first Vespers of Trinity Sunday until None of the Saturday before Advent)

SALVE REGINA, mater misericordiæ, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevæ. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. Amen.

 HAIL HOLY QUEEN, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

Variously attributed to Blessed Hermann of Reichenau (1013 – 1054) and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153).

Stella Maris: Our Lady, Star of the Sea