Immaculate Mary

Immaculate Mary or Immaculate Mother (French: Ô Vierge Marie) is a popular Roman Catholic Marian hymn. It is also known as the Lourdes Hymn, a term which also refers to the melody alone. It is often sung in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[1]

This article is about the popular Marian hymn. For the Catholic teachings and devotion to Mary under this title, see Immaculate Conception.
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The earliest version of the hymn was written in 1873 by French priest and seminary director Jean Gaignet, for pilgrims to the site of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. It was set to a traditional French tune and contained 8 verses;[2] he later expanded it to 120 verses.[3]

Versions

Several versions of the hymn are in use in different parts of the world. Many of them are original sets of lyrics in various languages, set to the same tune, theme, and refrain.

A popular version dating to 1952[4] is as follows:

Immaculate Mary, thy praises we sing,
Thou reignst now in Heaven with Jesus our King.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
In Heaven the Blessed thy glory proclaim,
On earth we thy children invoke thy fair name.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
We pray for our mother, the Church upon earth
And bless, dearest Lady, the land of our birth.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

Another popular version which appeared in hymnals between 1900 and 1975 has, as its first line, "Immaculate Mary, our hearts are on fire."[5] It extends to around 12 verses in order to facilitate its use in processions.

In the Philippines

A version sung at novena services honouring Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Marian processions has a different set of lyrics. It is commonly associated with Baclaran Church, the principal shrine of the devotion to the icon:

EnglishTagalog
Immaculate Mother, to you do we plead.
To ask God, our Father, for help in our need.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
We pray for our Country, the land of our birth;
We pray for all nations, that peace be on Earth!
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
Inang Sakdál Linis, kami ay ihingî.
Sa Diyos Ama namin, awang minimithî.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!
Bayang tinubua'y ipinagdarasal;
At kapayapaan nitong sánlibutan.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave Maria!

Notes
  1. Maiden and Mother: Prayers, Hymns, Devotions, and Songs to the Beloved Virgin Mary Throughout the Year by Margaret M. Miles 2001 ISBN 0860123057 page 60
  2. Guérin, Benoît. "Ce prêtre vendéen qui créa l'Ave Maria de Lourdes". Ouest-France.fr (in French). Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  3. Gaignet, Jean (1875). Cantique-récit de l'apparition de N.-D. de Lourdes en six dizaines de strophes. impr. de H. de Broca.
  4. Budwey, Stephanie (2014). Sing of Mary: Giving Voice to Marian Theology and Devotion. Liturgical Press. ISBN 9780814682937.
  5. "Immaculate Mary our hearts are on fire" Hymnary.Org 1 Nov. 2015

References
  • Immaculate Prayers
  • Catholic Doors
  • Catholic Culture
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