Antiphons and Anthems of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The antiphons and anthems to the Blessed Virgin Mary given below are customarily used in connection with the Liturgy of the Hours, usually after Night Prayer (Compline). According to various local customs, or particular legislation, they may also be used at other times in the day.
Eastertide:
Regina Caeli
Outside Eastertide:
IN THE LATIN CHURCH
Salve Regina
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Ave, Regina Caelorum
IN VARIOUS PLACES, CONGREGATIONS AND ORDERS
Sub Tuum Præsídium
O Sanctissima
Memorare
In those with a devotion to the Immaculate Conception:
Inviolata
Tota Pulchra
FRANCISCANS
Ave Domina
Sancta Maria Virgo
AUGUSTINIANS
Hail, Virgin Mother
Ave Regina Caelorum, Mater Regis Angelorum
SALESIAN
O Maria, Virgo Potens
CARMELITE
Flos Carmeli
Alma Dei Genetrix
Rosa Carmeli, Florida
Eia Carmeli
Ave Stella Matutina
Salve Mater Misericordiae
Virgo, Quae Caeli Rutilans
In Eastertide:
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,
has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!
— For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia,
quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia;
ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
— Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.
In some congregations and places, where the custom exists, the words iam ascendit sicut dixit/has ascended as he said may replace the third line of the hymn.
Outside Eastertide one of the following antiphons may be used:
IN THE LATIN CHURCH
SALVE REGINA
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy;
hail our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Salve, Regína, mater misericórdiæ ;
vita, dulcédo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamámus éxsules fílii Evæ.
Ad te suspirámus
geméntes et flentes in hac lacrimárum valle.
Eia ergo, advocáta nostra,
illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte.
Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui
nobis post hoc exsílium osténde.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.
ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER
Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
Gate of heaven, star of the sea,
Assist your people
who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,
have pity on us, poor sinners.
Or:
Mother of Christ, 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.
Alma Redemptóris Mater,
quæ pérvia cæli porta manes,
et stella maris,
succúrre cadénti,
súrgere qui curat, pópulo :
tu quæ genuísti,
natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem,
Virgo prius ac postérius,
Gabriélis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave,
peccatórum miserére.
AVE, REGINA CAELORUM
Hail, O Queen of Heav'n enthron'd,
Hail, by angels Mistress own'd
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Of which the world's true light was born.
Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Lovliest whom in Heaven they see,
Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.
Ave, Regína cælórum,
Ave, Dómina angelórum :
Salve, radix, salve, porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta :
Gaude Virgo gloriósa,
Super omnes speciósa,
Vale, o valde decóra,
Et pro nobis Christum exóra.
IN VARIOUS CONGREGATIONS AND ORDERS
SUB TUUM PRÆSÍDIUM
We turn to you for protection,
holy Mother of God.
Listen to our prayers
and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.
Or:
Under your protection we take refuge,
O holy Mother of God;
do not despise our supplications
in time of need,
but free us from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Sub tuum præsídium confúgimus,
sancta Dei Génitrix;
nostras deprecatiónes ne despícias in necessitátibus ,
sed a perículis cunctis libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriósa et benedícta.
O SANCTISSIMA
O most holy one, O most pitiful,
O sweet Virgin Mary!
Mother best beloved, Mother undefiled,
pray for us!
Thou art our comfort, and our refuge,
Virgin Mother Mary!
All that we long for, through thee we hope for;
pray for us!
See how weak we are, lost in tears;
save us, O Mary!
Lighten our anguish; soothe our sorrows;
pray for us!
Virgin turn and look; Mother behold us;
hear us, O Mary!
Thou art the bearer of health divine;
pray for us!
May thy joys and thy sorrows be our help,
O Mary!
In thee we hope; to thee we cry;
pray for us!
O Sanctissima, O Piissima
Dulcis Virgo Maria
Mater amata, Intemerata
Ora, Ora Pro Nobis
Tu solatium et refugium
Virgo Mater Maria
Quidquid optamus per te speramus
Ora, ora pro nobis
Ecce débiles, perquam flébiles,
Salva nos, O María!
Tolle languóres, sana dolóres,
Ora, ora pro nobis!
Virgo, réspice, Mater, áspice,
Audi nos, O María!
Tu, medicínam, portas divínam,
Ora, ora pro nobis!
Tua gaudia et suspiria
Juvent nos, O Maria!
In te speramus, ad te clamamus,
Ora, ora pro nobis!
MEMORARE
Remember,
most loving Virgin Mary,
never was it heard
that anyone who turned to you for help was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
though burdened by my sins,
I run to you for protection for you are my mother.
Mother of the Word of God,
do not despise my words of pleading
but be merciful and hear my prayer.
Amen.
Or:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria,
non esse auditum a saeculo,
quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia,
tua implorantem auxilia,
tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum.
Ego tali animatus confidentia,
ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro,
ad te venio, coram te gemens
peccator assisto.
Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere;
sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.
In Congregations and Orders with a devotion to the Immaculate Conception:
INVIOLATA
Inviolate, spotless and pure are you,
O Mary who was made the radiant gate of the King.
Holy mother of Christ most dear,
receive our devout hymn and praise.
Our hearts and tongues now ask of you
that our souls and bodies may be pure.
By your sweet sounding prayers
obtain for us forgiveness forever.
O gracious one! O queenly one! O Mary,
who alone among women are inviolate.
Inviolata, integra, et casta es Maria,
quae es effecta fulgida caeli porta.
O Mater alma Christi carissima,
suscipe pia laudum praeconia.
Te nunc flagitant devota corda et ora,
nostra ut pura pectora sint et corpora.
Tu per precata dulcisona,
nobis concedas veniam per saecula.
O benigna! O Regina! O Maria,
quae sola inviolata permansisti.
TOTA PULCHRA ES
You are all fair, O Mary,
And the stain of original sin is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
you are the joy of Israel,
you are the honor of our people;
you are the advocate of sinners, O Mary.
Virgin most prudent,
Mother most loving,
pray for us,
intercede for us with Jesus Christ our Lord.
[V. In your conception most holy Virgin, you were immaculate.
R. Pray for us to the Father whose Son you brought forth.
Father,
you prepared the Virgin Mary
to be the worthy mother of your Son.
You let her share beforehand
in the salvation Christ would bring by his death,
and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception.
Help us by her prayers
to live in your presence without sin.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.]
Tota pulchra es, Maria,
et macula originalis non est in te.
Tu gloria Jerusalem,
tu laetitia Israel,
tu honorificentia populi nostril, O Maria,
Virgo Prudentissima,
Mater Clementissima,
Ora pro nobis,
Intercede pro nobis ad Dominum Jesum Christum.
[V. In conceptione tua, Immaculata fuisti.
R. Ora pro nobis Patrem cuius Filium peperisti.
Deus,
qui per immaculátam Vírginis Conceptiónem
dignum Fílio tuo habitáculum praeparásti,
quaesumus, ut, qui ex morte eiúsdem Fílii tui praevísa,
eam ab omni labe praeservásti,
nos quoque mundos, eius intercessióne,
ad te perveníre concédas.
Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum :
qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti
Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
R. Amen.]
FRANCISCANS
Tota pulchra, or Inviolata, as above, or:
AVE DOMINA
Hail, O Woman,
Holy Queen,
Mary, holy Mother of God,
you are the virgin made church.
The most holy Father in heaven,
together with the Holy Spirit, the Consoler,
has chosen and consecrated you.
You have received and possess
all the fullness of grace and very good.
Hail, his Palace!
Hail, his Tabernacle!
Hail, his Home!
Hail, his Robe!
Hail, his Handmaid!
Hail, his Mother.
Ave Domina, sancta Regina,
sancta Dei genetrix Maria,
quae es virgo ecclesia facta
et electa a sanctissimo Patre de caelo,
quam consecravit cum sanctissimo dilecto Filio suo
et Spiritu sancto Paraclito,
in qua fuit et est omnis plenitudo gratiae
et omne bonum.
Ave Palatium eius!
Ave Tabernaculum eius!
Ave Domus eius!
Ave Vestimentum eius!
Ave Ancilla eius!
Ave Mater eius!
SANCTA MARIA VIRGO
Holy Virgin Mary,
you are unique among women in the world;
you are the daughter and handmaid
of the most high supreme King and Father of heaven;
you are the mother
of our most holy Lord Jesus Christ;
you are the spouse
of the Holy Spirit.
Together with Saint Michael the Archangel,
all the powers in heaven
and all the saints,
pray for us to your most holy beloved Son,
the Lord and Master.
Sancta Maria virgo,
non est tibi similis nata in mundo in mulieribus,
filia et ancilla altissimi summi Regis Patris caelestis,
Mater sanctissimi Domini nostri Iesu Christi,
sponsa Spiritus Sancti:
ora pro nobis cum S. Michaele archangelo
et omnibus virtutibus caelorum
et omnibus sanctis
apud tuum sanctissimum dilectum Filium,
Dominum et magistrum.
AUGUSTINIAN FAMILY
Hail, Virgin Mother, full of grace and faith
Choicest member in the Church of Christ
Your true greatness, Mary is that you are
the Mother of our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Blessed are you for having formed the body of Jesus,
more blessed still because you carry him
ever in your heart.
We, as members of Christ, call you Mother,
because by your loving cooperation
we were born into the Church.
We wish to imitate you, O humble Virgin
help us to do always the will of God.
We recommend ourselves to you today –
pray for us to have one mind and heart
and to live more fully our ideal
of service to all our brothers and sisters.
Alternative:
Hail, Queen of heaven
Mother of the King of angels
Like a rose or a lily, Mary,
You are the flower of virginity.
Pray to your Son for the salvation of all the faithful.
V. Pray for us, holy Virgin of virgins
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
We ask you Lord,
by the intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
to protect this family from every danger,
as it offers you its humble and sincere homage.
By your merciful goodness
defend it from every threat of the enemy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
O MARIA, VIRGO POTENS
O Mary, powerful Virgin,
you are the mighty and glorious protector of the Church;
you are the marvelous Help of Christians;
you are terrible as an army in battle array;
you alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world.
In the midst of our struggles, our anguish, and our distress,
defend us from the power of the enemy
and at the hour of death,
receive our souls into paradise.
.
O Maria, Virgo potens:
Tu magnum et praeclarum
in Ecclésia praesidium;
Tu singulare Auxilium Christianòrum;
Tu terribilis ut castròrum acies ordinata;
Tu cunctas héreses
sola interemisti in univérso mundo;
Tu in angustiis,
Tu in bello,
Tu in necessitatibus,
nos ab hoste pròtege,
atque in aetérno gaudio,
in mortis hora suscipe.
CARMELITE
FLOS CARMELI
Flos Carmeli,
vitis florigera,
splendor caeli,
virgo puerpera
singularis.
Mater mitis
sed viri nescia
Carmelitis
esto propitia
stella maris.
Radix Iesse
germinans flosculum
hic ad esse
me tibi servulum
patiaris.
Inter spinas
quae crescis lilium
serva puras
mentes fragilium
tutelaris.
Armatura
fortis pugnantium
furunt bella
tende praesidium
Scapularis.
Per incerta
prudens consilium
per adversa
iuge solatium
largiaris.
Mater dulcis
Carmeli domina,
plebem tuam
reple laetitia
qua bearis.
Paradisi clavis
et ianua,
fac nos duci
quo, Mater, gloria
coronaris.
English:
Flower of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendor of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee.
Strong stem of Jesse,
Who bore one bright flower,
Be ever near us
And guard us each hour,
who serve thee here.
Purest of lilies,
That flowers among thorns,
Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness
turns and trusts in thee.
Strongest of armor,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight,
we call to thee.
Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
who turn to thee.
O gentle Mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
and now enjoy.
Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
true joy to see. Amen. (Alleluia.)
Or:
Flower of Carmel
blossoming, bearing one,
light of heaven,
mother of God's dear Son,
vine and virgin.
Gentle parent,
pure beyond human love,
bless your children,
star shining far above
this world's ocean.
Root of Jesse,
flower in the cradling bud,
take us to you,
keep us with you in God,
his together.
All chaste lily
rising despite the thorn,
strengthen, help us,
so feeble, soon forlorn,
great protectress.
Be our armor,
valiant for Christ
when war rages around us,
hold high the scapular,
strong and saving.
In our stumbling
guide us on God's wise way,
in our sorrow,
comfort us as we pray:
rich your mercy.
Holy lady,
Carmel’s great friend and queen,
feast your people
from your own bliss, the unseen
grace, God’s goodness.
Key and gateway
opening on Paradise,
mother, win us a place
with you in Christ
crowned in glory.
ALMA DEI GENETRIX
Alma Dei Genetrix,
Carmeli Gloria montis:
plebem tibi sacram tuis virtutibus orna ;
semper et a cunctis
clemens defende periculis.
English:
Bounteous Mother of God,
Glory of Mount Carmel,
we are members of your family,
endow us with your own virtues;
have pity, and protect us from every danger.
ROSA CARMELI, FLORIDA
Rosa Carmeli, florida Maria,
Intra tua nos gere viscera.
Et post mortem trasfer ad aethera,
O Maria!
Radix Jesse, germinans flosculum,
hic adesse me tibi servulum,
Patiaris.
Inter spinas, quae crescis, lilium,
serva puras mentes fragilium,
Tutelaris.
EIA CARMELI
Eia Carmeli, Rosa pulchra montis,
Vitis insignis decus, atque caeli:
Quae paris mundo placidam salute,
Integra restans.
Mater insignis, celebrisque Virgo,
Ferto Carmeli soboli levamen,
Fratribus ferto titulum supremum
Stella refugens.
Sit decus Patri, Genitaeque Proli,
Et tibi compar, utriusque virtus,
Spiritus, semper Deus unus, omni
Temporis aevo. Amen.
AVE STELLA MATUTINA
Ave, Stella matutina,
Peccatorum medicina,
Mundi princeps et Regina.
Virgo sola digna dici,
Contra tela inimici
Clypeum pone salutis
Tuae titulum virtutis.
Tu es enim virga Jesse,
In qua Deus fecit esse
Aaron amygdalum,
Mundi tollens scandalum.
Tu es area compluta,
Caelesti rore imbuta,
Sicco tamen vellere.
Tu nos in hoc carcere
Solare propitia,
Dei plena gratia.
O Sponsa Dei electa,
Esto nobis via recta
Ad aeterna gaudia,
Ubi pax est et gloria.
Tu nos semper aure pia,
Dulcis, exaudi, Maria.
SALVE MATER MISERICORDIAE
Salve Mater misericordiae,
Mater Dei et Mater veniae,
Mater spei et Mater gratiae,
Mater plena sanctae laetitiae, O Maria!
Salve felix Virgo puerpera:
Nam qui sedet in Patris dextera,
Caelum regens, terram et aethera,
Intra tua se clausit viscera, O Maria!
Esto, Mater, nostrum solatium;
Nostrum esto, tu Virgo, gaudium;
Et nos tandem post hoc exilium,
Laetos junge choris caelestium, O Maria!
Salve decus humani generis.
Salve Virgo dignior ceteris,
quae virgines omnes transgrederis
et altius sedes in superis, O Maria!
Te creavit Pater ingenitus,
Obumbravit te Unigenitus,
Fecundavit te sanctus Spiritus,
Tu es facta tota divinitus, O Maria!
VIRGO, QUAE CAELI RUTILANS
Virgin resplendent in the court of heaven,
Carmel's rare beauty and all mankind's glory,
hear us, dear mother, as our voices humbly
tell your love's story.
Gifts beyond reckoning you pour out in bounty,
rich rain of blessing dropped on a hill and meadow
where you still shelter your devoted offspring
in Carmel's shadow.
Grant then your favor, quick to heed and answer;
may these our fervent prayers win grace like starlight,
keen, constant, tracing out a way to heaven
through our profound night.
Ever in kindness strengthen and sustain us,
lightening our burden with a mother's blessing,
that we may share the Father's life
and splendor past dispossessing.
Praise God who made us, God whose goodness crowned you
queen of creation, dear above all other,
and gave you to us, Lady of Mount Carmel,
and Virgin Mother.
Virgo, quae caeli rutilans in aula,
Virgo, Carmeli decus, atque nostra
Mater, exiles sed amore plenas
Suscipe laudes.
Dona largris, quibus aequa nemo
Conferat, longo numeroso tractui,
Prole Carmeli genita feraci
Montis in alvo.
Ergo materna quibus ipsa dextra
Consulis natos, recreans benigne,
Lucis aeternae facias potiri
Munere tecum.
Haud neges nostris precibus favorem,
Virgo, sit lumen radiantis astir,
Quo viam tuto doceas in altum
Tendere caelum.