Sancta et immaculata virginitas

General information

Assigned as the 6th Responsory at Matins of Christmas in the Liber usualis, but frequently used for Marian feasts as well.

Settings by composers

Giovanni Bassano a 5 ATBBB a 8 SATB.SATB Vincenzo Bertolusi SSATTB or AATTTB Giovanni Gabrieli SSAATTBB

Francisco Guerrero SSSA Hans Leo Hassler SATTB.ATTBB Cristóbal de Morales SATB S. Panini SS, 2vln & BC Ascanio Trombetti SATTB

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Raffaella Aleotti — Sancta et immaculata virginitas
• Nicolas Gombert — Sancta et immaculata virginitas
• Simon Moreau — Sancta et immaculata virginitas
• Giacomo Antonio Perti — Inno e responsi pel santo Natale a 4 voci con violini

Text and translations

Latin text Sancta et immaculata virginitas, quibus te laudibus efferant nescio: Responsum quia quem caeli capere non poterant, tuo gremio contulisti. Versus Benedicta tu in mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris tui. in aeternum permanes Virgo.   Dutch translation Heilige en smetteloze maagdelijkheid, ik weet niet door welke lofzangen ik u zal prijzen Responsum want gij hebt in uw schoot gedragen hem, die de hemelen niet konden omvatten Versus Gezegend zijt gij onder de vrouwen en gezegend is de vrucht van uw schoot.

English translation O holy and immaculate virginity, I know not by what praises I may extol thee: Responsum for thou hast born in thy womb, whom the heavens could not contain. Versus Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Thou abidest a virgin for ever.