ALMA MATER. - A medieval expression, synonymous with *Università* [University]. The concept of “mother” was applied to the university from the very origins of this glorious institution (13th century); and soon thereafter was added the correlative notion of fertility: “alma.”
The oldest documents present three chronologically distinct expressions: 1) *Mater Universitas*, first attested in an *Ordinance* of Oxford dating from about 1300 (cf. H. Anstey, *Munimenta academica Oxon.*, London 1868, p. 77); 2) *Alma Universitas*, frequent in 14th-century and later documents; 3) *Alma Mater*, found in documents from the second half of the 14th century, almost a fusion of the first two expressions. Innocent IV spoke of Oxford as a fecund mother who “de utero suo filios producit ad iustitiam eruditos” (6 Oct 1254). A century later, in 1342, King Edward III of England referred to the University of Cambridge as “mater et propagatrix studentium peritorum.” From this concept of *Mater Universitas* derive the terms matricula and immatricolazione [matriculation] of students (alumni).
When applied to persons and institutions, the term *alumnus* always conveys a meaning of honor and veneration, of beauty and sanctity (Festo, s. v.). Thus A. M., when referred to a university, is a noble appellation that, on the lips of its alumni, expresses affectionate esteem and gratitude toward the Athenaeum that formed them intellectually and spiritually. The choice of this academic expression was not unrelated to liturgical inspiration, especially from the Marian hymns *Alma Redemptoris Mater* (v.) and the “Dei Mater alma” of the *Ave maris stella*.