Feast of the Annunciation

Due to 25th March falling in Holy Week, the Feast of the Annunciation is transferred to today (in both old and new Roman calendars).

Here is the Hymn Ave Maris Stella (in Mode 1, for those who are interested in such things: more on this in a future post, following a very valuable Chant Workshop this weekend, organised by the Gregorian Chant Network):

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

2. Sumens illud Ave 
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevae nomen.

3. Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen caecis:
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

4. Monstra t(e) esse matrem:
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.

5. Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos,
Mites fac et castos.

6. Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum:
Ut videntes Iesum,
Semper collaetemur.

7. Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.

1. Hail thou star of ocean
Portal of the sky
Ever virgin Mother
Of the Lord Most High.

2. O! by Gabriel's Ave
Uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing,
Established peace below.

3. Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.

4. Show thyself a Mother,
Offer Him our sighs,
Who for us incarnate
Did not thee despise.

5. Virgin of all virgins

To thy shelter take us,
Gentlest of the gentle
Chaste and gentle make us.

6. Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavour,
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.

7. Through the highest heaven,
To the almighty Three
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be.
Amen.

(Translation: Rev. E. Caswall)