The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God is celebrated annually on January 1st.

In honor of Our Lady’s special day, I’d like to share a traditional hymn that highlights her role as Mother.

Salve, Mater Misericordiae is a Latin hymn that was composed in the 11th century.

It’s also an ancient chant connected to the Carmelite Order, a monastic religious order founded in the Middle Ages.

Some Carmelites include: Saint Simon Stock, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

This beautiful hymn of Our Lady, attributed to the Carmelite Order, expresses our devotion to her as our Mother, who is solicitous to the needs of her children…

[It] exemplifies her role as Mother of all Christians and thus her special role as Mediatrix and Co-Redemptrix. (SSPX)

The Latin and English text are below.

Click here to listen in Latin.

As the Christmas season continues, may this traditional prayer increase our love for the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the Mother of God and Mother of us all.

Salve, Mater Misericordiae

Salve, Mater misericordiae,
Mater Dei et Mater veniae,
Mater spei et Mater gratiae,
Mater plena sanctae laetitiae,
O Maria!

Salve, decus humani generis.
Salve, Virgo dignior ceteris,
quae virgines omnes transgrederis
et altius sedes in superis.
O Maria!

Salve, Mater misericordiae,
Mater Dei et Mater veniae,
Mater spei et Mater gratiae,
Mater plena sanctae laetitiae,
O Maria!

Salve, felix Virgo puerpera:
Nam qui sedet in Patris dextera,
Caelum regens, terram et aethera,
Intra tua se clasit viscera.
O Maria!

Salve, Mater misericordiae,
Mater Dei et Mater veniae,
Mater spei et Mater gratiae,
Mater plena sanctae laetitiae,
O Maria!

Esto, Mater, nostrum solatium:
Nostrum esto, tu Virgo,
gaudium, et nos tandem post hoc exsilium,
Laetos juge choris caelestium.
O Maria!

Salve, Mater misericordiae,
Mater Dei et Mater veniae,
Mater spei et Mater gratiae,
Mater plena sanctae laetitiae,
O Maria!

---

Hail, Mother of Mercy

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 human race.
Hail most worthy Virgin
because thou overcomest all virgins
and art seated of in highest honor.
O Mary!

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, 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 thy womb.
O Mary!

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!

Become, O Mother, our solace:
Be for us our source of joy,
and at the last, after this exile,
unite us with the praising celestial choir.
O Mary!

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!