XVIII. O clarissima mater (De sancta Maria)
Mary, the Healing Remedy
The responsory praises Mary as the radiant mother and healing remedy who, through her Son, poured out mercy into the wounds of death wrought by Eve, and asks her to intercede as star of the sea.
Responsory: O most radiant mother, holy healing remedy, you poured out your ointments through your holy Son into the grieving wounds of death, which Eve built up into torments for souls. You destroyed death by building up life. Pray for us to your child, star of the sea, Mary.
The Paradox of Life and Death
The verse contemplates Mary as the life-giving instrument, the ornament of death, and the unfailing sweetness of all delights, then repeats the plea for her intercession.
Verse: O life-giving instrument and ornament of death and sweetness of all delights, which in you will not fail. Pray for us to your child, star of the sea, Mary.
Doxology and Final Plea
The Gloria Patri is offered to the Trinity, followed by the closing repetition of the intercessory petition to Mary, star of the sea.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Pray for us to your child, star of the sea, Mary.
Read the original Latin
Responsum: O clarissima mater sancte medicine, tu unguenta per sanctum filium tuum infudisti in plangentia vulnera mortis, que Eva edificavit in tormenta animarum. Tu destruxisti mortem edificando vitam. Ora pro nobis ad tuum natum, stella maris, Maria. Versus: O vivificum instrumentum et letum ornamentum et dulcedo omnium deliciarum, que in te non deficient. Ora pro nobis ad tuum natum, stella maris, Maria. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto. Ora pro nobis ad tuum natum, stella maris, Maria.
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