Marian
O Gloriosa Domina (O heaven's glorious mistress)
Marian prayer · Latin text
The second half of Venantius Fortunatus's hymn Quem terra, pontus, aethera, used at Lauds in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pope Urban VIII's 1632 revision of the Breviary begins it “O gloriosa virginum”. It was a favourite hymn of Saint Anthony of Padua. The English is by Richard Frederick Littledale (1833-1890) and others.
O heaven's glorious mistress, enthron'd above the starry sky! thou feedest with thy sacred breast thy own Creator, Lord most high. What man had lost in hapless Eve, thy sacred womb to man restores, thou to the wretched here beneath hast open'd Heaven's eternal doors. Hail, O refulgent Hall of light! Hail Gate august of Heaven's high King! through thee redeem'd to endless life, thy praise let all the nations sing. To the Father and the Spirit and to thy Son all glory be, who with a wonderous garment of graces encircled thee. Amen.
When it is prayed
- lauds
- marian-feasts
- may
