Advent and Christmas antiphon

Sung at Compline from Advent to Candlemas.

One of the four seasonal Marian antiphons that close the Church’s day. This one belongs to Advent and Christmastide, from the First Sunday of Advent until 2 February.

In English

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.

In Latin

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
surgere qui curat, populo:
tu quae genuisti, natura mirante,
tuum sanctum Genitorem,
Virgo prius ac posterius,
Gabrielis ab ore sumens illud Ave,
peccatorum miserere.

The Four Marian Antiphons

• Advent to Candlemas — Alma Redemptoris Mater
• Candlemas to Holy Week — Ave Regina Caelorum
• Eastertide — Regina Caeli
• Ordinary Time — Salve Regina

About This Antiphon

The phrase to notice is succurre cadenti — help those who are falling. Not those who have fallen and are finished, but those in the middle of it, still trying to get up. Chaucer’s Prioress’ Tale turns on a schoolboy singing this antiphon, which tells you how thoroughly it was known.