Saint Francis Xavier. Confessor. Apostle Of The Indies. Feast Day 3 December.

Coat-of-Arms of Saint Francis Xavier.

Date: 9 July 2020.

Source: Own work.

Author: RickMorais

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text from “The Liturgical Year”.

By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

Volume 1.

Advent.

Saint Francis Xavier.

Confessor.

Apostle Of The Indies.

Feast Day 3 December.

The Apostles being the heralds of the coming of The Messias, it was fitting that Advent should have in its Calendar the name of some one among them.

Divine Providence has provided for this; for, to say nothing of Saint Andrew, whose Feast Day is oftentimes past before the Season of Advent has commenced, Saint Thomas’s Feast Day is unfailingly kept immediately before Christmas.

We will explain, later on, why Saint Thomas holds that position rather than any other Apostle; at present, we simply assert the fitness of there being at least one of the Apostolic College, who should announce to us, in this period of the Catholic Cycle, The Coming of The Redeemer.

The IHS emblem of The Jesuits.

The design is attributed to Ignatius of Loyola.

Date: 29 December 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Moranski

(Wikimedia Commons)

But God has not wished that the first Apostolate should be the only one to appear on the first page of the Liturgical Calendar; great, also, though in a lower degree, is the glory of that second Apostolate, whereby the bride of Jesus Christ multiplies her children, even in her fruitful old age, as the Psalmist expresses it. [Psalms xci. 15.]

There are Gentiles who have still to be evangelised; the coming of The Messias is far from having been announced to all Nations. Now, all of the valiant messangers of The Divine Word who have, during the last few hundred years, proclaimed the good tidings among infidel Nations, there is not one whose glory is greater, who has worked greater wonders, or who has shown himself a closer imitator of the first Apostles, than the modern Apostle of The Indies, Saint Francis Xavier.

The life and Apostolate of this wonderful man were a great triumph for our mother the holy Catholic Church; for Saint Francis came just at a period when heresy, encouraged by false learning, by political intrigues, by covetousness, and by all the wicked passions of the human heart, seemed on the eve of victory.

Emboldened by all these, this enemy of God spoke, with the deepest contempt, of that ancient Church which rested on the promises of Jesus Christ; it declared that she was unworthy of the confidence of men, and dared even to call her the harlot of Babylon, as though the vices of her children could taint the purity of the mother.

God’s time came at last, and He showed Himself in His power: The garden of The Church suddenly appeared rich in the most admirable fruits of sanctity. Heroes and heroines issued from that apparent barrenness; and whilst the pretended reformers showed themselves to be the most wicked of men, two countries, Italy and Spain, gave to the World the most magnificent Saints.

One of these is brought before us today, claiming our love and our praise. The Calendar of The Liturgical Year will present to us, from time to time, his contemporaries and his companions in Divine Grace and heroic sanctity. The 16th-Century is, therefore, worthy of comparison with any other age of The Church.

Saint Francis Xavier preaching in Goa.

Artist: André Reinoso (fl. 1610–1641).

Collection: Museu de São Roque

Date: 1610.

Source: Google Arts and Culture

(Wikimedia Commons)

The so-called reformers of those times gave little proof of their desire to convert infidel countries, when their only zeal was to bury Christianity beneath the ruin of her Churches.

But at that very time, a society of Apostles was offering itself to the Roman Pontiff, that he might send them to plant the true Faith among people who were sitting in the thickest shades of death. But, we repeat, not one of these holy men so closely imitated the first Apostles as did Francis, the disciple of Ignatius of Loyola.

He had all the marks and labours of an Apostle; An immense world of people evangelised by his zeal, hundreds of thousands of infidels Baptised by his indefatigable ministration, and Miracles of every kind, which proved him, to the infidel, to be marked with the sign which they received who, living in the flesh, planted The Church, as The Church speaks in her Liturgy.

Statue of Saint Francis Xavier.

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church,

Superior, Wisconsin, United States of America.

Photo: 20 April 2015.

Source: Own work.

Author: Billertl

(Wikimedia Commons)

So that, in the 16th-Century, The East received from the ever Holy City of Rome an Apostle, who, by his character and his works, resembled those earlier ones sent her by Jesus, Himself.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ be for ever praised for having vindicated the honour of The Church, His bride, by raising up Francis Xavier, and giving to men, in this His servant, a representation of what the first Apostles were, whom He sent to Preach the Gospel when the whole World was pagan.

Saint Francis Xavier. Confessor. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 3 December.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Francis Xavier.
   Confessor.
   Feast Day 3 December.

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.

Statue of Saint Francis Xavier,

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church,

Superior, Wisconsin, United States of America.

Photo: 20 April 2015.

Source: Own work.

Author: Billertl

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), was touched, after a long resistance, by the words constantly repeated to him by Saint Ignatius Loyola: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole World, and suffers the loss of his own Soul ?" He then became one of Saint Ignatius' most zealous fellow-workers in the newly-formed Society of Jesus (The Jesuits).

"Go ye into the whole World, and Preach the Gospel to every creature," says the Gospel. "Their sound hath gone forth into all the Earth, and their words unto the ends of the whole World," adds the Epistle.

This was the programme of the whole life of Saint Francis Xavier," whose Preaching and Miracles added to The Church the Nations of The Indies" (Collect). He Preached the Gospel there, and in Japan, to more than fifty Kingdoms, and converted innumerable pagans.

Let us share in the Apostolic zeal of this Saint, who has earned the glorious Title of Patron of The Propagation of The Faith; and let us help this work with our Prayers and our Alms.

Mass: Loquébar.
Commemoration: Of The Feria.

Saint Francis Xavier.

The Patron Saint of Missionaries.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

Saint Francis Xavier, S.J. (who was born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta, 7 April 1506 - 3 December 1552), was a Navarrese-Basque Roman Catholic Missionary, born in Javier (Xavier in Navarro-Aragonese or Xabier in Basque), Kingdom of Navarre (now part of Spain), and a co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a companion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who took vows of Poverty and Chastity at Montmartre, Paris in 1534.

He led an extensive Mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time, and was influential in Evangelisation work, most notably in India. He also was the first Christian Missionary to venture into Japan, Borneo, the Maluku Islands, and other areas. 

In those areas, struggling to learn the local languages and in the face of opposition, he had less success than he had enjoyed in India. Xavier was about to extend his Missionary Preaching to China, but died in Shangchuan Island shortly before he could do so.

Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church,

Superior, Wisconsin, United States of America.

Illustration: SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH WEB-SITE

He was Beatified by Pope Saint Paul V on 25 October 1619 and was Canonised by Pope Gregory XV on 12 March 1622. In 1624, he was made Co-Patron of Navarre, Spain. Known as “The Apostle of The Indies,” and “The Apostle of Japan”, he is considered to be one of the greatest Missionaries since Saint Paul.

In 1927, Pope Pius XI published the Decree “Apostolicorum in Missionibus”, naming Saint Francis Xavier, along with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Co-Patron of all Foreign Missions. He is now Co-Patron Saint of Navarre, Spain, with San Fermin. The Day of Navarre (Día de Navarra) marks the Anniversary of Saint Francis Xavier’s death, on 3 December 1552.

Hymns For Advent.

Hymns For Advent.

Available on YouTube

HERE

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”. Composed By: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Sung By: The Tallis Scholars. Director of Music: Peter Phillips.

“Missa Papæ Marcelli”.

Composed By: 

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Sung By: The Tallis Scholars.

Director of Music: Peter Phillips.

Available on YouTube

HERE

The Traditional Latin Mass. Palestrina’s “Missa Papæ Marcelli - Kyrie”. Sung By: The Tallis Scholars.

The Traditional Latin Mass.

Palestrina’s “Missa Papæ Marcelli - Kyrie”.

Sung By: The Tallis Scholars.

Available on YouTube

HERE

This Article is from

CATHOLICISM PURE AND SIMPLE

Saint Bibiana. Virgin And Martyr. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 2 December.

Frescoes by Pietro da Cortona.

Church of Santa Bibiana, Rome.

Photo: 24 October 2015.

Source: Own work.

Author: Sailko

(Wikimedia Commons)

Fresco by Agostino Ciampelli.

Church of Santa Bibiana, Rome.

Photo: 24 October 2015.

Source: Own work.

Author: Sailko

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Bibiana.

Statue by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Church of Santa Bibiana, Rome.

Photo: 30 August 2013.

Source: WikiPaintings

Author: WikiPaintings

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Bibiana.

Feast Day 2 December.

Available on YouTube

HERE

Text is from “The Liturgical Year”.

By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.

Volume 1.

Advent.

Of the Saints whose Feast Days are kept during Advent, five are Virgins. The first, Saint Bibiana, whom we honour, today, is a daughter of Rome.

The second, Saint Barbara, is the glory of the Eastern Churches.

The third, Saint Eulalia of Merida, is one of Spain’s richest treasures.

The fourth, Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia), belongs to beautiful Sicily.

The fifth, Saint Odilia, is claimed by France.

These five wise Virgins lighted their lamps and watched, waiting for the coming of the Spouse. Such was their constancy and fidelity, that four of them shed blood for the love of Him, after Whom they longed.

Let us take courage by this noble example; and since we have not, as the Apostle expresses it, as yet resisted unto blood, let us not think it hard if we suffer fatigue and trouble in the holy exercises of this Penitential Season of Advent: He, for Whom we do them all, will soon be with us and repay us.

Today, it is the chaste and courageous Bibiana who instructs us by her glorious example.

Basilique Notre-Dame De Fourvière, Lyon, France. “The Upside-Down Elephant”.

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière,

Lyon, France. 

Illustration: TWITTER, STAINED GLASS ZEALOT

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (French: Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière) is a Minor Basilica in Lyon, France. It was built with private funds between 1872 and 1896 in a dominant position overlooking the City. The site it occupies was once the Roman Forum of Trajan, (Latin: “Forum Vetus”) (Old Forum), thus its name (as an inverted corruption of the French Vieux-Forum).

Fourvière is dedicated to The Virgin Mary, to whom is attributed the salvation of the City of Lyon from The Bubonic Plague that swept Europe in 1643.[1]

Each year in early December (8 December, Feast Day of The Immaculate Conception), Lyon thanks The Blessed Virgin for saving the City, by lighting candles throughout the City, in what is called the Fête des Lumières, or, The Festival of Lights.[2]

Basilique Notre-Dame De Fourvière, Lyon, France.

“The Upside-Down Elephant”.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

The Virgin is also credited with saving the City a number of other times, such as from a Cholera epidemic in 1832, and from Prussian invasion in 1870.[1]

During The Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871), Prussian forces, having taken Paris, were progressing South towards Lyon. Their halt and retreat were, once again, attributed by The Church to the Intercession of The Virgin Mary.

Speculating on the reasons for the construction of such an elaborate and expensive building, one author makes the statement that: "The reaction to the communes of Paris and Lyon were triumphalist monuments, The Sacré-Coeur of Montmartre and The Basilica of Fourvière, dominating both Cities. These buildings were erected with private funds, as gigantic “Ex-Votos”, to thank God for victory over the Socialists and in expiation of the sins of modern France."[3]

Perched on top of the Fourvière hill, the Basilica looms impressively over the City of Lyon, from where it can be seen from many vantage points; not unintentionally, the Basilica of Fourvière has become a symbol of the City.

The Basilica, which offers guided tours and contains a Museum of Sacred Art, receives two million visitors annually.[2] At certain times, members of the public may access the Basilica's North Tower for a spectacular 180-degree view of Lyon and its suburbs. On a clear day, Mont Blanc, the highest point in Europe, can be seen in the distance.[2]

The design of the Basilica, by Pierre Bossan, draws from both Romanesque and Byzantine Architecture, two non-Gothic models that were unusual choices at the time. It has four main Towers, and a Bell-Tower topped with a gilded statue of The Virgin Mary. It features fine Mosaics, superb Stained-Glass Windows,[4] and a Crypt of Saint Joseph.

Fourvière actually contains two Churches, one on top of the other. The Upper Sanctuary is very ornate, while the Lower Sanctuary is a much simpler design. Work on the triumphant Basilica was begun in 1872 and finished in 1884. Finishing touches in the Interior were not completed until as late as 1964.

Bossan's first sketches for the Basilica seem to date from 1846. At the time he was in Palermo, Sicily.[5]

The Basilica has acquired the local nickname of "The Upside-Down Elephant", because the building looks like the body of an Elephant and the four Towers look like its legs.[6]

Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc, The Children's Choir of Saint Mark, is the official Choir of the Basilica. This Choir became well-known after the release of the film, Les Choristes. The Choir's Director is Monsieur Nicolas Porte.

Since 1982, the Tower has housed the Antennæ of Radio Fourvière, the predecessor of Radios Chrétiennes Francophones.

Fourvière has always been a popular place of Pilgrimage. There has been a Shrine at Fourvière, dedicated to Our Lady, since 1170. The Chapel and parts of the building have been rebuilt at different times over the Centuries, the most recent major works being in 1852 when the former Steeple was replaced by a Tower, surmounted by a Golden Statue of The Virgin Mary, sculpted by Joseph-Hugues Fabisch (1812–1886).[6]

On 23 July 1816, twelve Marist aspirants, Priests and Seminarians, climbed the hill to The Shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière, and placed their promise to Found The Society of Mary (Marists), under the Corporal on The Altar, while Fr. Jean-Claude Courveille, the first Superior-General of The Marists, Celebrated Mass.[7]

On 30 September 1821, Fr. André Coindre and ten others made Private Vows in the Chapel there, thus Founding The Fratres a Sacratissimo Corde Iesu (The Brothers of The Sacred Heart), a Roman Catholic Religious Community, primarily devoted to the education of the young.[8]

On 21 January 1851, Fr. Peter Julian Eymard Prayed at The Shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière and was inspired to Found The Congregation of The Blessed Sacrament.[9]

When the City of Lyon was spared in The Franco-Prussian War (1870), the community committed to build the present Basilica alongside the ancient Chapel.[6]

Incipit Pars Hiemalis Breviarii. The Beginning Of The Winter Breviary.

Mary Stuart’s personal Breviary, which she took with 

her to the scaffold, is preserved in the National Library 

of Russia of Saint Petersburg. Inscriptions in her hand 

may be seen in the margins.

This File: 16 October 2005.

User: Voyager

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text is from GOOGLE AI OVERVIEW

The Breviary is a Liturgical Book in the Roman Catholic Church that contains the Daily Service for the Divine Office. 

The Divine Office is the Official Prayer of The Church, 

which consists of Psalms, Readings, Hymns. 

The Winter Season of the Roman Breviary 

began on 30 November and will end on 24 June. 

The Breviary is a Book of Sacred Texts used for Daily Prayer, and is divided into four Seasonal parts:

Winter;

 

Spring; 

Summer; 

Autumn.

The Breviary includes the following parts:

Introductory matter: 

Tables for determining Easter, the Liturgical Calendar, 

and General Rubrics;

The Psalter: 

A part of each Seasonal Section;

Proprium de Tempore: 

The Special Office of the Season;

Proprium Sanctorum: 

Special Offices of Saints;

Commune Sanctorum: 

General Offices for Saints;

Extra Services: 

A part of each Seasonal Section.

The Canonical Hours of the Roman Breviary are:

Matins;

Lauds;

Prime;

Terce;

 Sext;

None;

Vespers;

Compline.

 Matins, Lauds,Vespers, are called Major Hours, 

while the others are called Minor Hours.

Saint John The Baptist Church, Lustleigh, Devon.

Saint John The Baptist Church, Lustleigh, Devon.

All Illustrations: DEVON CHURCH LAND

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. The Piano Guys.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.

The Piano Guys.

Available on YouTube

HERE

A Christmas Version Of Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah". Sung By: “Cloverton”.

Christmas Version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.

The Band singing it is “Cloverton”.

Available on YouTube

HERE

“O, Virgin Pure”. Greek Orthodox Chant. “Agni Parthene”. “Αγνή Παρθένε”.

“The Virgin of the Lilies (La Vierge au lys)”.

Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

Date: 1899.

Source: PaintingHere.com

Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

Greek Orthodox Chant.

“Agni Parthene”.

“Αγνή Παρθένε”.

Available on YouTube

HERE

and

Greek Orthodox Chant.

“Agni Parthene”.

“Αγνή Παρθένε”.

Available on YouTube

HERE

(See the reference to Greek Orthodox Hymn, below).

“Agni Parthene”, rendered “O, Virgin Pure”, is a Greek Marian Hymn composed by Saint Nectarios of Aegina in the Late-19th-Century, first published in Print in his “Theotokarion”.

In Orthodox Churches, it is considered “Para-Liturgical”, and, therefore, only to be used outside of Liturgical Services. Though it is often performed by some Choirs as a Recessional, after the conclusion of The Divine Liturgy during the Veneration of The Cross and receiving of Anti-Doron.

Goretti Fine Art.

“Madonna and Child”.

Illustration: GORETTI FINE ART

“Shower of Roses”.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Illustration: GORETTI FINE ART

Saint Bibiana. Virgin And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 2 December.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Bibiana.
   Virgin And Martyr.
   Feast Day 2 December.

Semi-Double.

Red Vestments.

Saint Bibiana,

by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Church of Santa Bibiana, Rome.

Photo: 30 August 2013.

Source: WikiPaintings

Author: WikiPaintings

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Bibiana was born in Rome of a noble Christian family; and, as the Collect tells us, in her the Flower of Virginity was united with the Palm of Martyrdom.

A wise and prudent Virgin (Gradual), she was less afraid of the loss of all her goods and of her sufferings of imprisonment, than of the loss of that Hidden Treasure or that Pearl of Great Price, of which the Gospel speaks.

When delivered to the caresses and flattery off her jailer, Rufinus, who strove to pervert her, she called upon The Lord, Who saved her from destruction (Epistle).

Rufinus then had recourse to violence, but with no greater success. Seeing which, the enraged Governor of Rome ordered that Bibiana should be tied to a Column, and beaten to death with thongs loaded with lead (363 A.D.) The Basilica of Saint Mary Major was built over her tomb.

Mass: Me exspectavérunt, of The Common of Virgins.

Church of Saint Bibiana, Rome.

Illustration: WINE TRIPPING

The First Sunday Of Advent.

Abbot Prosper Guéranger, O.S.B.

1805-1875.

Printmaker: Claude-Ferdinand Gaillard (1834–1887).

Published 1878, or earlier.

Date: 7 May 2007 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.

Author: The original uploader was

Ikanreed at English Wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Text is from “The Liturgical Year”.
By: Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Volume 1.
Advent.

This Sunday, the first of The Ecclesiastical Year, is called, in the chronicles and charts of The Middle Ages, “Ad te levavi” Sunday, from the first words of the Introit; or, “Aspiciens a longe”, from the first words of one of the Responsories of Matins.

The Station is at Saint Mary Major.

[Editor: The Stations marked in The Roman Missal for certain days in the year, were formerly Processions, in which the whole Clergy and people went to some given Church, and there Celebrated The Office and The Mass.

[This usage, which dates from the earliest period of The Roman Church, and of which Saint Gregory the Great was but the restorer, still exists, at least in a measure; for the Stations are still observed, though with less solemnity and concourse of people, on all the days specified in The Missal].

It is under the auspices of Mary — in the splendid Basilica which possesses The Crib of Bethlehem, and is therefore called, in ancient documents, “Saint Mary’s ad Præsepe” — that The Roman Church recommences, each year, The Sacred Cycle.

It would have been impossible to select a place more suitable than this for saluting the approach of The Divine Birth, which is to gladden Heaven and Earth, and manifest the sublime portent of a Virgin Mother.

Let us go in spirit to this august temple, and unite in the Prayers which are there being offered up: They are now the very ones we also use, and which we will now explain.

In The Night Office, The Church commences the reading of The Book of Isaias, who, of all the Prophets, has the most distinctly and explicitly foretold mention of The Messias; and she continues this same Book [Editor: Of Isaias] until Christmas Day, inclusive.

Let us strive to enter into the teaching of the holy Prophet, and let the eye of our Faith affectionately recognise the promised Saviour in the descriptions, sometimes consoling and sometimes terrifying, under which Isaias depicts Him.

The first words of The Church, in the still Midnight, are these:

Regem venturum Dominum, venite, adoremus.

Come, let us adore The King, Our Lord, Who is to come.

There follows the reading of The Book of the Prophet Isaias.

The words of the holy Prophet, or, rather, of God, Who speaks to us by the Prophet, should make a deep impression on The Children of The Church, at this opening of the holy period of Advent.

Who could hear without trembling this voice of Our Lord, Who is despised and unknown even at the very time when He is coming to visit His people ?

Lest men should be terrified at the splendour of His majesty, He divested Himself of it; and far from acknowledging the Divine Power of Him Who thus humbled Himself out of love to them, these men have refused even to know Him; and the Crib where He lay after His birth, had, at first, but two dumb animals to honour or notice it.

The whole World is in expectation of its Redeemer; come, dear Jesus, show Thyself to it by granting it salvation.

The Church, Thy bride, is now commencing another year, and her first word is to Thee, a word which she speaks in the anxious solicitude of a mother for the safety of her children; she cries out to Thee, saying: “Come !” No, we will go no farther in our journey through the desert of this life without Thee, O Jesus !

Time is passing quickly away from us; our day is perhaps far spent, and the shades of our life’s night are fast coming on; arise, O Divine Sun of Justice. Come ! Guide our steps and save us from eternal death.

From First Vespers In Advent (1 December) To Second Vespers Of 2 February (Feast Of The Purification Of Our Blessed Lady), The Marian Anthem Is "Alma Redemptoris Mater".

“Love’s Pure Light”.

Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus.

Artist: Kathy Lawrence.

Illustration: PINTEREST

“Alma Redemptoris Mater”.

For Six Voices.

Composed by Diego Ortiz.

Sung by: Cantar Lontano.

Director: Marco Mencoboni.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/iVT9sxyr2I0

ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER

Alma Redemptoris Mater,

quæ pervia cæli Porta manes,

et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat, populo:

tu quæ genuisti,

Natura mirante,

tuum sanctum Genitorem,

Virgo prius ac posterius,

Gabrielis ab ore,

Sumens illud Ave,

peccatorum miserere.

Mother of Christ ! Hear thou thy people’s cry,

Star of the Deep, and Portal of the Sky !

Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,

Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid;

Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,

Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

“Alma Redemptoris Mater”

(Simple Tone).

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Advent 2024 begins on Sunday, 1 December.

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Alma Redemptoris Mater (English: Loving Mother of Our Saviour) is a Marian Hymn, written in Latin hexameter, and one of four Seasonal Liturgical Marian Antiphons sung at the end of the Office of Compline (the other three Antiphons being Ave Regina Cælorum, Regina Cœli and Salve Regina).

“Alma Redemptoris Mater”.

Composer: Tomás Luis de Victoria

(Ávila, Spain, 1548 - Madrid, Spain, 1611).

Sung by:

Ensemble Plus Ultra.

Director: Michael Noone.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE

Hermannus Contractus (also called Herman the Cripple, 1013–1054) is said to have composed the Hymn, based on the writings of Saints Fulgentius, Epiphanius, and Irenaeus of Lyon.

The Alma Redemptoris Mater is mentioned in The Prioress's Tale, one of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

It is sung at The Divine Office of Compline, from First Vespers of Advent, until Second Vespers of the Feast Of The Purification of The Blessed Virgin Mary (2 February).

“Alma Redemptoris Mater”.

Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

(1525 – 1594).

Sung by:

The Tallis Scholars.

Director of Music: Peter Phillips.

Available on YouTube at

YOU TUBE