«ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER». - This is the first of the four great Marian antiphons, recited at the end of Lauds and Compline from the First Sunday of Advent until the Feast of the Purification (February 2). It was most likely composed by Hermannus Contractus, a monk of Reichenau.
It consists of six dactylic hexameters (classical quantitative metre), with a grave and solemn rhythm. Theologically, it is a gem of sacred literature: it extols the divine motherhood of Mary, her cooperation in the work of Redemption, her mediating power, and the wondrous miracle (nature marvelling) of her perpetual virginity. Beloved of medieval piety, it inspired other compositions: its opening verse was chosen as the beginning of hymns (cf. U. Chevalier, Repert. Hymnal, 6 vols., Louvain and Brussels 1892-1920, passim), and its individual words as the opening of the strophes of a long poem, precisely entitled *Aureum Alma B. M. V.* (G. M. Dreves-C. Blume, Analecta Hymnica, 50 [1907], pp. 317 ff.).
The versicles and prayer that follow it—different for Advent (Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae...) and for Christmas (Post partum Virgo inviolata perennisit)—express concepts and sentiments proper to the beautiful antiphon, which entered the liturgy as early as the 13th century and was definitively introduced into the Roman Breviary by the reform of Pius V (1568).