Alma Redemptoris Mater (Loving Mother of our Saviour)

This Marian prayer is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons, which are usually used as sung prayers.

It is attributed to Hermannus Contractus (Herman the Cripple) 1013 1054), based on the writings of Saints Fulgentius, Epiphanius, and Irenaeus of Lyon.

It has been set to music by various composers - the best well known is by Palestrina.

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in Latin, plain

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in English with picture

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in English, plain

The image used is Pietà di Luco, Autore by Andrea del Sarto (1523-1524).

Words (full text) of the prayer

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.

From the first Sunday of Advent until Christmas Eve
℣. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ
℟. 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
℣. Post Partum Virgo inviolata permansisti.
℟. Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis.
Oremus
Deus, qui salutis æternæ beatæ Mariæ virginitate fecunda humano generi præmia præstitisti: tribue, quæsumus, ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus, Auctorem vitæ suscipere Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum.
℟. Amen.

English translation

Mother of Christ! Hear thou thy people's cry,
Star of the deep, and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that 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
℣. The Angel of the LORD brought tidings unto Mary
℟. 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
℣. After childbirth, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate.
℟. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.
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 Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us, through whom we deserved to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son.
℟. Amen.