Alma Redemptoris mater

During Advent and Christmas, we particularly honor Our Lady as the mother whose miraculous childbirth brought the holy God into the world to redeem sinful humanity.

The monk Herman the Lame, in the 11th century, is said to be the author of this Antiphon.

You can listen to the Marian Antiphon Alma Redemptoris Mater sung in the choir of Notre-Dame

 

 

Or read the prayer

Text of Alma Redemptoris Mater in Latin

 

Alma Redemptóris Máter,
quæ pérvia cæli pórta mánes,
Et stélla máris,
succúrre cadénti súrgere qui cúrat pópulo:
Tu quæ genuísti,
natúra miránte,
túum sánctum Genitórem
Virgo prius ac postérius,
Gabriélis ab óre
súmens íllud Ave,
peccatórum miserére.

Text of Alma Redemptoris Mater in English

 

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
who remains the accessible Gateway of Heaven,
and Star of the Sea,
Give aid to a falling people
that strives to rise;
O Thou who begot thy holy Creator,
while all nature marvelled,
Virgin before and after
receiving that “Ave” from the mouth of Gabriel,
have mercy on sinners.