Liturgical Prayers to the Blessed Virgin
ALMA REDEMPTORIS
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.
AVE, REGINA
HAIL! O Queen of heav’n enthron’d!
Hail! by angels mistress own’d!
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world’s true Light was born.
Glorious Virgin! joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see.
Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.
AVE, MARIS STELLA
HAIL, thou star of ocean
Portal of the sky!
Ever Virgin Mother
Of the Lord most high!
Oh! by Gabriel’s Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva’s name reversing,
Establish peace below.