At this season, consecrated to the great work of our Redemption, the Mass of the Blessed Virgin shows us Mary as Mother of our Saviour. She was predestined from all eternity for the role of co-redemptrix (Epistle), for as Eve was the intermediary chosen by the Angel of darkness to bring about the fall of Adam, so is Mary the intermediary to whom the Angel Gabriel (tract) delivered the message of salvation from heaven. She is also blessed, since she heard the word of God and obeyed it (Gospel).
The beautiful introit used for the common masses of Our Lady - Salve Sancta Parens - is two lines taken from the "Carmen Paschale" (liber secundus, lines 63-64) by the great fifth century Christian poet Sedulius. When sung, the Gregorian chant used is the same beautiful melody as for the Epiphany.
Salve, sancta Parens, eníxa puérpera Regem: qui coelum terrámque regit in saecula saeculórum. * Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea Regi.
Hail, holy Mother, thou who didst bring forth the King who ruleth heaven and earth for ever and ever. * My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.
(Sedulius and Psalm 44:2 from the Introit of Mass).
Concéde nos fámulos tuos, quaesumus, Dómine Deus, perpetua mentis et córporis sanitáte gaudére: et, gloriósa beátae Maríae semper Vírginis intercessióne, a praesénti liberári tristítia et aeterna pérfrui laetítia.
Grant us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, to enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, to be delivered from present sorrows and to enjoy everlasting gladness.
(Collect)
Gaude, María Virgo, cunctas haereses sola interemísti.
V. Quae Gabriélis Archángeli dictis credidísti.
V. Dum Virgo Deum et hóminem genuísti: et post partum, Virgo, invioláta permansísti.
V. Dei Génetrix, intercéde pro nobis.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou alone hast destroyed all heresies.
V. Who didst believe the words of the archangel Gabriel.
V. Whilst a virgin thou didst bring forth God and man: and after childbirth thou didst remain a virgin.
V. O Mother of God, intercede for us.
(Tract)
Catholic Encyclopaedia on Sedulius: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13680a.htm
Hail, holy Mother, thou who didst bring forth the King who ruleth heaven and earth for ever and ever. * My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.
(Sedulius and Psalm 44:2 from the Introit of Mass).
Concéde nos fámulos tuos, quaesumus, Dómine Deus, perpetua mentis et córporis sanitáte gaudére: et, gloriósa beátae Maríae semper Vírginis intercessióne, a praesénti liberári tristítia et aeterna pérfrui laetítia.
Grant us Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, to enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, to be delivered from present sorrows and to enjoy everlasting gladness.
(Collect)
Gaude, María Virgo, cunctas haereses sola interemísti.
V. Quae Gabriélis Archángeli dictis credidísti.
V. Dum Virgo Deum et hóminem genuísti: et post partum, Virgo, invioláta permansísti.
V. Dei Génetrix, intercéde pro nobis.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou alone hast destroyed all heresies.
V. Who didst believe the words of the archangel Gabriel.
V. Whilst a virgin thou didst bring forth God and man: and after childbirth thou didst remain a virgin.
V. O Mother of God, intercede for us.
(Tract)
Catholic Encyclopaedia on Sedulius: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13680a.htm
The Carmen Paschale is available at The Latin Library: http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/sedulius.html
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