Happy feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Mother! Today we learn a hymn from Vespers on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate. As the first verse says, literally: "The supreme teacher of faith [the Pope] solemnly affirms that Mary is free from all stain." This happened in 1854, and the hymn refers to St. Bernadette, who lived after this proclamation, so this hymn isn't older than the mid-to-late 19th century. We hope you enjoy it!

1. Lo! Mary is exempt from stain of sin, Proclaims the Pontiff high; And earth applauding celebrates with joy Her triumph, far and high.

2. Unto a lowly timid maid she shows Her form in beauty fair, And the Immaculate Conception truth Her sacred lips declare.

3. O honored cave, by Mary’s smile adorned! O hallowed rock, whence spring The living waters of a gushing stream, The gifts of life to bring.

4. And thither from the farmost bounds of earth The pilgrims wend their way, And suppliant around the Virgin’s shrine Her powerful help they pray.

5. The sufferers’ cry the Mother fondly hears, And grants the longed-for grace; And health restored, the pilgrim throng returns Unto its native place.

6. O Virgin! have compassion on our needs, Refresh us laboring on; Obtain for us the joys of heavenly life, When sorrow all is gone.

7. All praise and honor to the Father be, And to His only Son, And to the Spirit, power of both, for aye, In Godhead ever One.

1. Omnis expertem maculæ Mariam Edocet summus fidei magister; Virginis gaudens celebrat fidelis Terra triumphum.

2. Ipsa se præbens humili puellæ Virgo spectandam, recreat paventem, Seque conceptam sine labe sancto Prædicat ore.

3. O specus felix, decorate divæ Matris aspectu! veneranda rupes, Unde vitales scatuere pleno Gurgite lymphæ.

4. Huc catervatim pia turba nostris, Huc ab externis peregrina terris Affluit supplex, et opem potentis Virginis orat.

5. Excipit Mater lacrimas precantum, Donat optatam miseris salutem; Compos hinc voti patrias ad oras Turba revertit.

6. Supplicum, Virgo, miserata casus, Semper o nostros refove labores, Impetrans mœstis bona sempiternæ Gaudia vitæ.

7. Sit decus Patri, genitæque Proli, Et tibi compar utriusque virtus Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni Temporis ævo.