THE ALMA Redemptoris Mater, or Loving Mother of our Saviour prayer, is one of the four main Marian Antiphons of the Catholic Church. These also include the Ave Regina Caelorum, Regina Caeli, and the Salve Regina. The Alma Redemptoris Mater is believed to have been written in the 11th century by Hermannus Contractus (Herimann the Lame; 1013-1054), a monk from Reichenau Germany.
The hymn is traditionally said or sung after night prayer before going to sleep. Its season for recitation is during the Advent and Christmas seasons. The Alma Redemptoris Mater invites us to meditate and celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The prayer also asks Mary for her intercessory prayers for our salvation.
Below I include the prayer in written version and a video of it being sung by Harpa Dei:
Alma Redemptoris Mater
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.
Advent Ending Prayer
℣. The Angel of the LORD declared unto Mary
℟. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
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
Christmas Ending Prayer
℣. 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
