Sequence XLII On the Birth of Mary
| Salve Mater Salvatoris, Vas electum, vas honoris, Vas coelestis gratiae, Ab aeterno vas provisum, [5] Vas insigne, vas excisum Manu sapientiae. |
Hail, mother of the savior, chosen vessel, vessel of honor, vessel of celestial grace, vessel foreseen from eternity, famous vessel, vessel cut by the hand of wisdom. |
| Salve, verbi sacra parens, Flos de spinis, spina carens, Flos, spineti gloria; [10] Nos spinetum, nos peccati Spina sumus cruentati, Sed tu spinae nescia. |
Hail, sacred parent of the Word, Flower from thorns, without a thorn, flower, glory of the thorn-hedge; we bleed from the thorn, but you know no thorn. |
| Porta clausa, fons hortorum, Cella custos unguentorum, [15] Cella pigmentaria; Cinnamomi calamum, Myrrham, tus et balsamum, Superas fragrantia. |
Closed gate, fountain of gardens, custodial chamber of unguents, healing chamber; you surpass in fragrance the twig of cinnamon, myrrh, incense, and balsam. |
| Salve, decus virginum, [20] Mediatrix hominum, Salutis puerpera, Myrtus temperantiae, Rosa patientiae, Nardus odorifera. |
Hail, glory of virgins, mediator for men, myrtle of temperance, rose of patience, odiferous nard. [25] |
| Tu convallis humilis, Terra non arabilis, Quae fructum parturiit; Flos campi, convallium Singulare lilium, [30] Christus ex te prodiit. |
You humble valley, unplowable land that bears fruit; flower of the field, unique lily, Christ comes forth from you. |
| Tu coelestis paradisus Libanusque non incisus, Vaporans dulcedinum; Tu candoris et decoris, [35] Tu dulcoris et odoris Habes plenitudinem. |
You celestial paradise, untouched frankincense, glowing sweetnes; you have the fullness of brightness and beauty, of sweetness and fragrance. |
| Tu thronus es Salomonis, Cui nullus par in thronis Arte vel materia; [40] Ebur candens castitatis. Aurum fulvum, charitatis Praesignant mysteria. |
You are the throne of Solomon, unequalled by any king in manner or matter; shining ivory of purity and yellow gold signify the mysteries of divine love. |
Palmam praefers singularem Habes privilegia. |
You offer the only palm, you have no equal
on earth |
Sol luna lucidior, |
The sun is brighter than the moon, and the moon brighter than the stars, so Mary is worthier than all created beings. |
| Lux eclypsim nesciens Virginis est castitas. [55] Ardor indeficiens Immortalis charitas. |
Light that knows no eclipse is the chastity of the virgin. An ardor without deficiency is immortal love. |
| Salve, mater pietatis Et totius trinitatis Nobile triclinium. [60] Verbi tamen incarnati Speciale majestati Praeparans hospitium. |
Hail, mother of piety and noble container of the entire trinity, offering a special welcome for majesty. |
| O Maria stella maris, Dignitate singularis, [65] Super omnes ordinaris Ordines coelestium; In supremo sita poli, Nos commenda tuae proli, Ne terrores sive doli [70] Nos supplantent hostium. |
O Mary, star of the sea, unique in worthiness, above all celestial orders you reign; in the lofty sky, commend us to your child, lest fear or the wiles of the enemies overthrow us. |
| In procinctu constituti Te tuente simus tuti. Pervicacis et versuti Tuae cedat vis virtuti, [75] Dolus providentiae. Jesu, verbum summi Patris: Serva servos tuae matris. Solve reos, salva gratis Et nos tuae claritatis [80] Configura gloriae. |
Prepared for battle, we are safe as long as you watch over us. The forces of evil, deceitful men, the trickery of fortune, yield to your power. Jesus, word of the highest father: save the servants of your mother. Absolve the guilty, |