Salve Sancta Parens (Hail Holy Mother) is a chant antiphon used for the Introit for Feasts of Our Lady. The chant recognizes Our Lady as Queen, the Mother of the One "Who rules heaven and earth forever and ever."
This chant was sung by the Angels after the miraculous Statue of Our Lady of Good Success – which is located in the Convent of the Immaculate Conception in Quito, Ecuador – was completed by the Three Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, along with St. Francis. This is recounted in the Admirable Life of Mother Mariana, Volume II, pp. 69-70:
"On January 16 [1611], the fervent religious arose in the early morning to pray the Little Office, as was the custom. As they drew near the choir, they heard distant refrains of melodious music. They hurried their steps to the upper choir, and there – wonder of wonders – they saw the whole choir enveloped in a celestial light and heard the resounding voices of Angels who, accompanied by celestial music, were intoning in sweet and enchanting harmony the Salve Sancta Parens."
We have provided two versions of Salve Sancta Parens below: the first by Cantarte Regensburg, and the second by an unknown German monastery.
Listen to Salve Sancta Parens by Cantarte Regensburg
Listen to Salve Sancta Parens by an unknown German monastery
Lyrics:
Latin text
Salve sancta parens
Enixa puerpera Regem
Qui caelum terramque regit
In saecula saeculorum.
Ps. 44. Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum:
Dico ego opera mea Regi.
(Tempus Paschalis: Alleluia.)
Gloria Patri et Filio
Et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio,
Et nunc et semper
Et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
English translation:
Hail, Holy Mother,
Who in childbirth brought forth the King
Who rules Heaven and earth,
Forever and ever.
Ps. 44. My heart hath uttered a good word;
I speak my works to the King.
(Easter time: Alleluia.)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.
