This hymn was written in the 11th Century by Blessed Herman the Cripple. It’s been sung as part of Compline (aka Night Prayer, the Church’s last prayer before bedtime) since the 13th century, now as one of the four Marian Antiphons which come after the main body of the prayer.
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.And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary,
and She conceived of the Holy Spirit.O loving Mother of our Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
Hasten to aid thy fallen people
who strive to rise once more.
Thou who brought forth thy holy Creator,
all creation wondering,
Yet remainest ever Virgin,
taking from Gabriel’s lips
that joyful “Hail!”:
be merciful to us sinners.And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary,
and She conceived of the Holy Spirit.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.Thou who gavest birth without loss of thy virginity:
Intercede for us, O holy Mother of God.O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary
hast offered unto the human race
the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee,
that we may know the effects of her intercession,
through whom we have deserved to receive the author of life,
our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son.And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary,
and She conceived of the Holy Spirit.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.