Alma Redemptoris Mater

 

 At this time of the year - that is from vespers of the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent until vespers of February 2nd, ie Candlemas, inclusive - we sing the Marian antiphon of Alma Redemptoris Mater.

If you want to master the Marian antiphon for this season, you can listen to it HERE sung by the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey at Ganagobie.

The following is a beautiful translation from the Latin by Father Adrian Fortescue (1874-1923) of the Alma Redemptoris Mater:

Holy mother of our Redeemer, thou gate leading to heaven and star of the sea;

Help the falling people who seek to rise,
Thou who, all nature wondering, didst give birth to thy holy Creator.

Virgin always, hearing the greeting from Gabriel’s lips, take pity on sinners.