View source for Immaculate Mary

{{Short description|Popular Catholic Marian hymn}}
{{about|the popular Marian hymn|the Catholic teachings and devotion to Mary under this title|Immaculate Conception}}
{{Catholic marian prayers sidebar|expanded=Hymns to Mary}}
"'''Immaculate Mary'''" or "'''Immaculate Mother'''" (French: ''Ô Vierge Marie'') is a popular [[Roman Catholic]] [[Hymns to Mary|Marian hymn]]. It is also known as the '''[[Our Lady of Lourdes|Lourdes]] Hymn''', a term which also refers to the hymn tune itself. It is often sung in honour of the [[Immaculate Conception]] of the [[Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)|Blessed Virgin Mary]].<ref>''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</ref>

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 eight verses;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Guérin|first1=Benoît|title=Ce prêtre vendéen qui créa l'Ave Maria de Lourdes|url=http://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/ce-pretre-vendeen-qui-crea-lave-maria-de-lourdes-3136481|website=Ouest-France.fr|access-date=7 June 2017|language=fr-FR}}</ref> he later expanded it to 120 verses.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gaignet|first1=Jean|title=Cantique-récit de l'apparition de N.-D. de Lourdes en six dizaines de strophes|date=1875|publisher=impr. de H. de Broca|url=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6137755t/f1.image.r=Cantique-r%C3%A9cit+de+l'apparition.langFR}}</ref>

==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<ref>{{cite book|last1=Budwey|first1=Stephanie|title=Sing of Mary: Giving Voice to Marian Theology and Devotion|date=2014|publisher=Liturgical Press|isbn=9780814682937|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HARzBgAAQBAJ&dq=immaculate+mary+thy+praises+we+sing+cummings&pg=PA132|language=en}}</ref> is as follows:

:Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing,
:You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.
:''Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave Maria!''

:In Heaven the blessed your glory proclaim,
:On earth we your children invoke your fair name.
:''Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave Maria!''

:We pray for our Mother, The Church upon earth
:And bless, sweetest Lady, the land of our birth.
:''Ave, Ave, Ave Maria! Ave, Ave Maria!''

<score sound="1">
{ \new ChoirStaff <<
    \language "english" 
  \new Staff << 
    \new Voice \relative c' { \set Staff.midiInstrument = "church organ" \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \override Score.BarNumber  #'transparent = ##t \tempo 4 = 100 \voiceOne \clef treble \key g \major \time 3/4
   \partial 4
   d4 | g g b | g g b | a a b8( a) | g2
   d4 | g g b | g g b | a a b8( a) | g2 r4
   c2 c4 | b2 b4 | a a a | d2 g,4 
   c2 c4 | b b b | a2( b8 a) | g2 \bar "|."
 } 
   \addlyrics {\set stanza = #"1. "
    Im -- mac -- u -- late Ma -- ry, your prais -- es we sing,
    You reign now in splen -- dor with Je -- sus our King.
    A -- ve, A -- ve, A -- ve Ma -- ri -- a! A -- ve, A -- ve, Ma -- ri -- a!
   }
   \addlyrics {\set stanza = #"2. "     
    In heav -- en the bless -- ed your glo -- ry pro -- claim;
    On earth we, your child -- ren, in -- voke your sweet name.
   }
    \new Voice \relative c' { \voiceTwo 
   b4 | d d d | e e fs | g g fs | d2
   d4 | e e fs | e d g8( fs) | e4 g fs | d2 r4
   e( g) a | g( a) g8( fs) | e4 g fs | g fs d 
   e( g) fs8( e) | ds( e) fs4 g8( fs) | e4( g fs) | d2 
 } 
  >>
  \new Staff <<
    \new Voice \relative c' { \set Staff.midiInstrument = "church organ" \clef bass \key g \major \time 3/4 \voiceOne
   g4 | b b b | b b d | e c d | b2
   a4 | b b d | c b d | c c d | b2 r4
   c2 d4 | d2 d4 | c c d | d( c) b 
   c( b) a8( g) | fs4 b b | c( e d8 c) | b2
 }
    \new Voice \relative c { \voiceTwo 
   g4 | g' g fs | e e d | c e d | g2
   fs4 | e e b | c g' g | a a d, | g2 r4
   c,( e) fs | g2 b,4 | c e d | b' a g 
   a2 a,4 | b ds e | c2 d4 | g2 
 } 
>> >> }
</score>

Another popular version which appeared in hymnals between 1900 and 1975 has, as its first line, "Immaculate Mary, our hearts are on fire."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hymnary.org/text/immaculate_mary_our_hearts_are_on_fire|title=Immaculate Mary, our hearts are on fire|website=Hymnary.org}}</ref> It extends to around 12 verses in order to facilitate its use in processions.

===In the Philippines===
A different text is sung at [[novena]] services and Masses honouring [[Our Lady of Perpetual Help]], as well as Marian processions in general. This version is commonly associated with [[Baclaran Church]], the Philippine's [[national shrine]] for the icon and its devotion.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

{|
|-
! English !! Filipino
|-
|
:Immaculate Mother, to you do we plead.
:To ask [[God the Father|God, our Father]], for help in our need.
:''Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave María!''

:We pray for our [[Philippines|Country]], the land of our birth;
:We pray for all nations, that peace be on Earth!
:''Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave, María!''
|
:Ináng Sakdál Linis, kamí ay ihingî.
:Sa Diyos Amá namin, awang minímithî.
:''Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave María!''

:Bayang tinubua'y ipinagdárasal;
:At kapayapaan nitóng sánlibutan.
:''Ave, Ave, Ave María! Ave, Ave María!''
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{wikisource}}
* Immaculate Prayers [http://www.churchyear.net/icprayers.html Immaculate Conception Prayers]
* Catholic Doors [http://www.catholicdoors.com/songs/marian/maria008.htm Immaculate Mary]
* Catholic Culture [http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=952 Liturgical Year : Activities : Enthronement of Our Lady of Guadalupe]

{{Our Lady of Lourdes}}
{{Marian hymns}}

[[Category:Marian devotions]]
[[Category:Marian hymns]]