May 12 - Salve Mater - Hail Mother of Mercy

Salve Mater

An excellent 11th century Marian hymn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBLqsWt4msg

The Latin lyrics and English translation:

Salve Mater misericordiae, Mater Dei et Mater veniae, Mater spei et Mater gratiae, Mater plena Sanctae Letitiae,
O Maria!
Salve decus humani generis. Salve Virgo dignior ceteris, quae virgines omnes transgrederis et altius sedes in superis. O Maria!
Salve Mater...
Salve felix Virgo puerpera: Nam qui sedet in Patris dextera, Caelum regens, terram et aethera, Intra tua se clasit viscera. O Maria!
Salve Mater...
Esto, Mater, nostrum solatium: Nostrum esto, tu Virgo, guadium, et nos tandem post hoc exsilium, Laetos juge choris caelestium. O Maria!
Salve Mater...

Hail mother of mercy, mother of God and mother of pardon, mother of hope and mother of grace, mother full of holy gladness. O Mary!
Hail, honor of the mankind. Hail worthier Virgin than the other ones because you overcome all of them and in the heaven you occupy the highest seat of honor. O Mary!
Hail mother...
Hail Blest Virgin yet bearing child: For he who sits at the Father's right hand. The ruler of heaven, of earth and sky, has sheltered Himself in your womb. O Mary!
Hail mother...
Become, O mother, our solace: Be for us our source of joy, and at the last, after this exile, unite us rejoicing to the choir of angels. O Mary!