The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary as a young girl.

The Church celebrates the birthdays of three persons: Our Blessed Lord, Our Lady and St John the Baptist. All three were born without stain of sin.

In honour of Our Heavenly Mother's birthday, here is the beautiful hymn Ave Maris Stella.

Ave Maris Stella is a popular liturgical hymn of unknown origin. It can be dated back to at least the 9th century for it is preserved in the Codex Sangallensis, a manuscript in the Swiss Monastery of St. Gallen. It is found in ancient codices of the Divine Office for Vespers on Marian feasts. Today it is still in use in the Divine Office and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.

Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.

Ave, star of ocean,
Child divine who barest,
Mother, ever-virgin,
Heaven’s portal fairest.

Magnificat anima mea

Sumens illud Ave
Gabriélis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevæ nomen.

Taking that sweet Ave
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva’s name reversed,
Be of peace the token.

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Break the sinners’ fetters,
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.

Venite adoremus. JJ Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

Virgo singuláris,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solútos
Mites fac et castos.

Maid all maids excelling,
Passing meek and lowly,
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.

Mary cradles her Son. JJ Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.

As we onward journey
Aid our weak endeavour,
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.

After her Assumption, Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.

Father, Son, and Spirit,
Three in One confessing,
Give we equal glory
Equal praise and blessing.

Amen.
Amen.

Totus tuus ego sum 
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum tutus semper sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam