Praeclara Custos Virginum | O Mary Conceived Without Sin, Pray For Us!

Link to MusicA few days ago we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, one of the great Marian Dogmas of the Catholic Church. In honor of our Immaculate Mother, we learn a hymn from about 200 years before this dogma was officially proclaimed by the Church.Blest guardian of all virgin souls, Portal of bliss to man forgiven, Pure Mother of Almighty God, Thou hope of earth and joy of heaven!Fair Lily found among the thorns, Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold, Rod from whose tender root upsprang That healing Flower so long foretold.Thou Tower against the dragon proof, Thou Star to storm-tossed voyagers dear; Our course lies oer a treacherous deep, Thine be the light by which we steer.Scatter the mists that round us hang; Keep far the fatal shoals away; And while through darkling waves we sweep, Open a path to light and day.O Jesu, born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite And Holy Ghost eternally.