Præfatio
De maternitate beatæ Mariæ Virginis.
On the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus: Et te in Maternitáte beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis collaudáre, benedícere et prædicáre.
Verily, it is right and just, our duty and our salvation, to give thee thanks evermore and everywhere: Lord, holy Father, eternal and almighty God. And to praise Thou, bless Thou, and glorify Thou as we celebrate the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ever Virgin.
Quæ et Unigénitum tuum Sancti Spíritus obumbratióne concépit, et, virginitátis glória permanénte, lumen ætérnum mundo effúndit, Iesum Christum Dóminum nostrum.
It was she who conceived Thy only Son through the power of the Holy Spirit and who, whilst preserving the glory of her virginity, brought eternal light—Jesus Christ our Lord—into the world.
Per quem maiestátem tuam laudant Angeli, adórant Dominatiónes, tremunt Potestátes. Cæli cælorúmque Virtútes, ac beáta Séraphim, sócia exsultatióne concélebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces ut admítti iúbeas, deprecámur, súpplici confessióne dicéntes:
Through Him, the Angels praise Thy majesty; the Dominions worship Him; the Powers revere Him. The heavens, the heavenly Virtues, and the blessed Seraphim celebrate it together in one and the same exultation. We ask that Thou join our voices to theirs in song to proclaim in humble praise:
