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Madonna by Raphael, an example of Marian art

Alma Redemptoris Mater(pronounced Áhlmah Raydėmptoris Máhtair) or, in English, "Loving Mother of our Savior," is 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),

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

Loving Mother of our Savior, hear thou thy people's cry

Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!

Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.

Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:

Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,

Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

From the first Sunday of Advent until Christmas Eve:

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary

R. And she conceived by 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. 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

Prayers and the Catholic Church Prayers of the Mass Agnus Dei · Apostles' Creed · Confiteor · Gloria in Excelsis Deo · Gloria Patri · Kyrie Eleison · Litany of the Saints Nicene Creed · Pater Noster · Sanctus · Signum Crucis Marian Prayers Angelus · Alma Redemptoris Mater · Ave Maria · Ave Maris Stella · Ave Regina Caelorum · Fatima Prayer · Magnificat · Memorare · Regina Coeli · Rosary · Salve Regina · Sub Tuum Praesidium · Three Hail Marys Other Prayers Act of Contrition · Adoro te devote · Angele Dei · Anima Christi · Athanasian Creed · Ave Verum Corpus · Benedictus · De Profundis · Jesus Prayer · Laudes Divinae · Miserere mei · Morning offering · Nunc Dimittis · O Salutaris Hostia · Prayer before a Crucifix · Prayer of Saint Francis · Prayer to Saint Michael · Requiem Aeternam · Tantum Ergo · Te Deum · Thanksgiving after Communion · Veni Creator Spiritus · Veni Sancte Spiritus · Visit to the Blessed Sacrament · Way of the Cross Note Prayers in italics are normally indulgenced prayers. Category · Portal