There is an old Yiddish saying that goes: "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." When I drove to school last Friday Morning, I had no idea I was about to sing a duet in Latin with Fr. Roger whom I had the pleasure of meeting minutes before Mass. I would have practiced if I had known... I was amazed that I could remember this old Gregorian chant after all these years. I guess it's like riding a bicycle in some ways but most importantly it's like witnessing the Holy Spirit at work. It also goes to show the catholicus, the universality of the Church. Two people who have never met before could unite in singing this old hymn because we belong to the same universal Church.

Mass is strictly about Jesus so it begins and ends with the sign of the cross (entrance and recessional hymns are technically not part of the Mass). It is fitting that the first thing we do right after the final blessing is to turn to our blessed mother. This beautiful tradition that goes back centuries have gradually faded away. Some prestigous institutions such as monastries and seminaries still honor and practice this tradition. I was told that Chaminade does it too! I understand Fr. Roger´s desire to restore it here at SPS. 

We wont be scared of Latin. We will tackle it and learn from it. There are four Marian Antiphons for different liturgical seasons; Below are the texts, translations and YouTube links.

Salve Regina (Ordinary time)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAmydVsNMqM

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevæ, Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. 

Hail holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
 Our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping 
in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy toward us;
And after this our exile,
Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Alma Redemptoris Mater (Advent/Christmas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq5CKlOyeMk

Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,
Súrgere qui curat pópulo: tu quæ genuísti,
Natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem
Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.

Loving Mother of the Redeemer,
who remains the accessible Gateway of Heaven,
and Star of the Sea,
Give aid to a falling people
that strives to rise;
O Thou who begot thy holy Creator,
while all nature marvelled,
Virgin before and after
receiving that "Ave" from the mouth of Gabriel,
have mercy on sinners.

Ave Regina Caelorum (Lent)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAi6T7tQruE

Ave, Regina caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels
Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate
From whom unto the world a light has arisen:
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,
Lovely beyond all others,
Farewell, most beautiful maiden,
And pray for us to Christ. 

Regina Caeli (Easter)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-EJiI_yAas

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia; Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia:
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
The Son you merited to bear, alleluia,
Has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray to God for us, alleluia.