Alma Redemptoris Mater

With the First Sunday in Advent the Marian hymn following compline changed from the Salve Regina to the Alma Redemptoris Mater. This will be used until the  Feast of the Presentation. There are two concluding collects: one for the Season of Advent one that is used from Christmas Eve until the Presentation. The Commonweal blog has a thoughtful reflection on use of the Alma Redemptoris Mater.

Loving mother of our Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.

(During Advent)
V: The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary
R: And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray.

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(From Christmas Eve until the Presentation)
V. After childbirth you remained a virgin.
R. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

Let us pray

O God, by the child-bearing of the blessed Virgin Mary, you bestowed upon humankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech you, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.