O Gloriosa Domina – Gregorian Chant in Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Pray with the timeless beauty of O Gloriosa Domina (O Glorious Lady), a traditional Gregorian chant hymn honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. This sacred Latin prayer has been sung for centuries in the Divine Office, particularly at Vespers and Compline on Marian feasts.

O Gloriosa Domina is the second half of the hymn Quem terra, pontus, aethera which was composed by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609), the Bishop of Poitiers. Both hymns are popular Marian hymns used in the Liturgy, Quem terra, pontus, aethera being used for the Office of the Readings and this hymn being used for Lauds in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The hymn was a favorite of St. Anthony of Padua. Tradition has it that it was sung by St. Anthony's mother when he was an infant. It was such a favorite of St. Anthony, that it was constantly on his lips during his life and he sang it at his death.

Translation:
1. O HEAVEN'S glorious mistress,
enthron'd above the starry sky!
thou feedest with thy sacred breast
thy own Creator, Lord most high.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. To the Father and the Spirit
and to thy Son all glory be,
who with a wonderous garment
of graces encircled thee. Amen.

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