ALMA MATER. – A medieval expression, synonymous with University. The concept of “mother” was applied to the university from the very origins of this glorious institution (13th century); and the correlative notion of fruitfulness was soon added to it: “alma.”
The oldest documents give us three expressions, distinct chronologically: 1) Mater Universitas, which is found for the first time in an Ordinance of Oxford dating from about 1300 (cf. H. Anstey, Munimenta academica Oxon.,
1, London 1868, p. 77); 2) Alma Universitas, frequent in documents of the 14th century and thereafter; 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 mater institution, which “de utero suo filios producit ad iustitiam eruditos” (6 October 1254). A century later, in 1342, King Edward III of England regarded the Universitas of Cambridge as “mater et propagatrix studentium peritorum”. The terms matricula and immatriculation for students derive from this concept of the Mater Universitas (obimni).
When applied to persons and institutions, the term almus always contains a meaning of honor and veneration, of beauty and holiness (Festus, s. v.). Thus A. M., referring to universities, is a noble appellation which, in the mouths of students, expresses their affectionate esteem and gratitude toward the Athenaeum that has formed them intellectually and spiritually. The choice of this academic expression must also have been influenced by the liturgical inspiration offered above all by Alma Redemptoris Mater (v.), and the “Dei Mater alma” of Ave maris stella.