«ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER». - It is the first of the four great Marian antiphons, and is recited at the end of Lauds and Compline, from the First Sunday of Advent until the Purification (2 Feb.). Its author was most probably Ermanno Contratto, a monk of Reichenau.
It consists of six dactylic hexameters (classical quantitative metre), with a grave and solemn rhythm. Theologically it is a jewel of sacred literature: it extols the divine motherhood of Maria, her cooperation in the work of Redemption, her mediating power, and the wondrous miracle (natura mirante) of her perpetual virginity. Dear to medieval piety, it provided inspiration for other compositions: its first verse was chosen as the opening of hymns (cf. U. Chevalier, Repert. Hymnol., 6 vols., Lovanio e Bruxelles 1892-1920, passim), and its individual words as the opening of the stanzas of a long poem, called precisely Aureum Alma B. M. V. (G. M. Dreves-C. Blume, Analecta Hymnica, 50 [1907], p. 317 sgg.) The versicles and the prayer that follow it—different for the season of Advent (Angelus Domini nuntiaux Mariae...) and for the Christmas season (Post partum Virgo inviolata permanenti...)—express ideas and sentiments proper to the beautiful antiphon, which, having entered the liturgy as early as the 13th century, was definitively introduced into the Roman Breviary with the reform of Pio V (1568).