X. O splendissima gemma (De sancta Maria)
The Word's Luminous Matter
Mary is hailed as the resplendent gem and luminous matter through whom the Father's only Word created and breathed forth all virtues to restore creation.
Antiphon: O most dazzling jewel, and calm adornment of the sun — the spring leaping from the Father's heart, poured into you, his only Word, through whom he created the first matter of the world, which Eve disturbed.1 This Word, the Father, fashioned humanity for you, and for this reason you are that luminous matter, through which this same Word breathed out all virtues, so that he might lead all creatures into the first matter.23
Read the original Latin
Antiphona: O splendissima gemma et serenum decus solis, qui tibi infusus est, fons saliens de corde patris, quod est unicum verbum suum, per quod creavit mundi primam materiam, quam Eva turbavit. Hoc verbum effabricavit tibi, pater hominem, et ob hoc es tu illa lucida materia, per quam hoc ipsum verbum exspiravit omnes virtutes, ut eduxit in prima materia omnes creaturas.
Notes
- 1 ↩The image of the Word as a 'spring leaping from the Father's heart' draws on Johannine and patristic language for the eternal generation of the Son; 'serene adornment of the sun' applies solar imagery to Mary.
- 2 ↩'Luminous matter' (lucida materia) is a symbolic term for Mary as the pure material from which the new creation springs; 'breathed forth all virtues' echoes the Spirit's life-giving power. The final clause's 'first matter' likely refers to the original created order recapitulated in the Incarnation.
- 3 ↩The connective ut at the close is ambiguous between purpose ('so that') and result; rendered as purpose here, but a result reading ('with the result that') is also possible.
Symphonia Armonie Celestium Revelationum (Symphony of the Harmony of Celestial Revelations) companion
Make your listening a daily prayer
Get the 10-antiphon pack free, then keep a daily rhythm of historic prayer with the Chosen Portion app.
Hildegard's antiphons were assigned to specific daily offices; Chosen Portion continues that pattern of an appointed devotional text for each day.
- 10 full antiphon texts in fresh English alongside the Latin
- A 3-step, 10-minute practice: one song per session, two weeks of material
- A recording guide matching each antiphon to easily streamed albums