De Laudibus Sanctissimae Matris Annae

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John Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim: a tetrastich on the most holy mother Anne

Venerable Anne, mother of the nourishing Virgin, excellent in merits and powerful in piety, no one who honors and venerates you goes away sad; for you bring to all the gentle help of salvation.

A distich by the same, which he placed beside the image of Saint Anne

Whoever in adversity shall have appealed to Saint Anne with devout prayers, he shall be well protected.

Conrad Celtis Protucius, poet laureate: a tetrastich on Saint Anne

Anne never dismissed anyone’s prayers empty, but, bright one, always brought the desired aid. Therefore let us heap much honor upon the pious mother, who allows no one’s prayers to be without effect.

Theodoric Gresemund the Younger of Mainz: a tetrastich to Saint Anne

Anne, parent of the Virgin, hail, auspicious mother of Mary, worthy to begin the work of our salvation; since human redemption was begun through you, I pray that you continue, by your prayers, covering our sins.

Rudolf Lang, canon of Münster: a distich on Saint Anne

Great parent Anne, hear the prayers which pregnant women bring to you, mother of the fruitful Virgin.

Jodocus Badius of Ghent: a tetrastich on Saint Anne

Anne, glory of the world, mother of the mother of Jesus, may your grandson grant you the stars for the merits of your daughter. Holy Anne, bringing forth the first fruits of our salvation, help us with your offspring and with your grandson.

Rudolf Agricola, in his poem on Saint Anne, among other things, says thus

[unclear]

Johann Theutheinus: [On the praises of the most holy mother Anne]

Anne, parent, venerable mother of the highest parent, you who first open to peoples the path of salvation: from you all diseases flee, and pallor and pain, and all harmful things that sit in the mind and in the body. Whatever there is among human beings that wearies cares and hearts flees from you, as clouds driven away are wont to flee the winds.

Rugerus Venrai, canon regular of Hain, before the image of Saint Anne

Speak deep prayers, devoutly, with knee bent, where mother Anne sits blessed with her offspring. Do not doubt: you will receive whatever you have asked of her; for Anne continually shines, powerful in prayers.

A distich by the same on Saint Anne

Hail, Anne, mother of the mother of Jesus Christ; and, we pray, drive away from us every sin.

The rosary of Saint Anne by Jodocus [Beissellius?], patrician of Aachen, and that to the reverend father lord Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim, of the order of the divine father Benedict

Whoever wishes to read this rosary in honor of the most blessed mother Anne with pious devotion should first say the Lord’s Prayer with the salutation of Saint Anne, which he should always repeat after two verses. This salutation is as follows:

O venerable Anne, mother of the mother of God, most pleasing to the Holy Trinity, honored above all women: blessed are you by the Lord, and blessed is the offspring of your womb, and blessed is Jesus Christ, born of the most pure Virgin. Amen.

Our Father. Hail, [mother] of God.

Anne, may I, wretched man, be permitted to set forth your praises, for if you allow it, I shall bring you garlands and roses. Amen.

And, Anne, you shine, venerable offspring of the kings of Judah, and also renowned through your pious husband Joachim. Amen.

And, Anne, for a long time you wept over barren loves in marriage, the unique glory of married women and their one honor. Amen.

And, pious Anne, you do not seek offspring for vain uses, but so that, in holy posterity, it may worship God. Amen.

And, Anne, a swift messenger, standing by you from the heavenly court, says, “Rejoice; behold, exultant mother, you shall have offspring.” Amen.

And, Anne, you will bear offspring blessed with such great virtue that she may shine with the honor of a mother, while remaining a virgin. Amen.

Hail, Anne, [unclear], whom the world does not contain; may God himself willingly enter the chaste womb. Hail.

Anne, at last from your blood there will arise the blood which, when poured out, will bring hope continually to wretched guilty men. Hail.

Anne, so great an expectation befitted your childbirth. Hail. It is no easy thing to be accounted the mother of the mother of God. Hail.

Anne, the praises of your offspring will fly above the stars. Hail. All ages will call you [unclear] blessed. Hail.

Our Father. [unclear] of God.

Hail, Anne, you are believed to have conceived Mary pure from evil, and soon to have held her holy for God. Hail.

Anne, you bear another than the figures signified. Hail. The one to come, whom the holy fathers sang of. Hail.

Anne, you bear enclosed paradise, the tree of life. Hail. Blessed, and sacred with every honor of the field. Hail.

Anne, heavily you bear the birth which the flaming sword guards. Hail. Burning day and night, [of the cherub?]. Hail.

Anne, you bear the flower that surpasses white lilies. Hail. And lowly violets and the scarlet rose. Hail.

Anne, in you the Mosaic ark is discerned. Hail. And the golden urn of heavenly bread lies there. Hail.

Anne, you bear the bride of the true Solomon, and the house adorned within and without with every jewel. Hail.

Anne, you bear the temple whose inner chambers sweet sounds have filled, and every rejoicing music. Hail.

Anne, you bear the veil under a beautiful image, holding in itself the deeds of the fathers, which may cover the high things of God. Hail.

Anne, you bear the offspring whom golden flame of Phoebus clothes. Hail. The bright moon clothes her snow-white feet. Hail.

Our Father. [unclear] of God.

Hail. Anne, now made possessor of the longed-for Mary, Hail. You scarcely contain in your whole breast the joys that have arisen. Hail.

Anne, all the stars applauded Mary newly born. Hail. And an unaccustomed radiance flowed from the pole. Hail.

Anne, it is right to believe that at the birthday of your child, Hail, angelic choirs celebrated around you. Hail.

Anne, the depths below felt your childbirth. Hail. Then the new light itself terrified the Stygian pools. Hail.

Anne, as a mother you hesitate to touch your daughter with your hands. Hail. She is more ruddy than the sun and the lights of the heaven. Hail.

Anne, why do you fear to handle the heavenly girl? Hail. She smiles upon her mother; she causes no sad things. The gods.

Anne, take courage; see, your daughter stretches to your milky breasts, Hail, and seeks your tender hands and your neck. Hail.

Anne, you break off delays, and baring your breasts and chest, Hail, you receive her tender limbs into your tender bosom. Hail.

Anne, you cherish your daughter, and from your breast she draws sweet juices. Hail. From her rosy mouth she makes pleasing murmurs as she sounds them. Hail.

Anne, if you knew how many sorrows your daughter will bear, Hail, and how many deaths she will bear, you would now be no one. Hail.

Our Father. Hail of God.

Anne, it is dear to your heart to adorn your daughter with approved morals, Hail, and to compose her for the highest God. Hail.

Anne, you prepare to bring your daughter into the lofty shrine, Hail, but of her own will the gracious one reached the step of the heavens. Hail.

Anne, with slow step and labor you follow the swift one. Hail. The ready little virgin consoles her weary mother. Hail.

Anne, why do you marvel at strength in a tender virgin? Hail. You see not human things, but pious signs of God. Hail.

Anne, you are accustomed to give gifts to the needy and to sacred temples. Hail. Now you give that than which no humble woman has given more. Hail.

Anne, when you wished your consecrated daughter to dwell, Hail, she gladly entered the cloisters and the virginal house. Hail.

Anne, about to send away the pious one, you wear out your cheeks and eyes with weeping. Hail. A deep love holds you unmoved. Hail.

Anne, return home; leave your daughter to the Thunderer. Hail. Let her think of nothing except the Jesus who is to come. Hail.

Anne, may your daughter fly through the ethereal retreats. Hail. May love sent from the highest summit occupy her. Hail.

Anne, it is enough for you to serve two Marys. Hail. These also will honor you with no small devotion. Hail.

Our Father. Hail of God.

Anne, by your own weeping you have learned to succor one who weeps. Hail. Hence you too readily favor the wretched with their prayers. Hail.

Anne, you are accustomed to overturn the fixed laws of nature. Hail. And so you will wish it: let the barren woman now be a joyful mother. Hail.

Anne, you also stay the gifts of flowing fortune. Hail. Lest they flee from our [unclear], having suddenly slipped away. Hail.

Anne, you drive away disgrace; you give the gifts of fair fame. Hail. You [unclear] mourning, and love yields to you. Hail.

Anne, you help, whether hostile force terrifies someone, or whether dark prisons hold [unclear] bound. Hail.

Anne, be present as relief from the stars for sick mortals. Hail. With you as guide, lost life returns to the languishing. Hail.

Hail, mother Anne: the sailor calls upon you amid the fearful wave, if winds and billow toss his torn boat. Hail. Hail, mother Anne: you are always to be feared by the black tyrant. Hail. As ice flees fire, so that guilty one flees you. Hail. Hail, Anne: mortal hearts cannot ask of you in vain; whatever you will, your daughter and God too will will. Hail. Therefore, Anne, blessed by your merits and by so great an offspring, great mother Anne, look upon our prayers. Hail.

Prayer to be said after the rosary

Almighty and most loving God, who deigned to choose blessed Anne as the mother of the mother of your Son, graciously grant that we, who honor her memory with faithful devotion, may obtain, by her merits and prayers, the aids of eternal life. Through [the same].

Here ends the rosary of Jodocus Beissel, professor of both laws, patrician of Aachen, addressed to the reverend father and lord Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim, of the Order of Saint Benedict. From Aachen, on the third day before the Ides of April, in the year 1494.

Poem of Adam Werner of Themar on most holy Anne, addressed to the reverend father and lord Johannes Trithemius, abbot

We compose praises of the renowned grandmother; dear Jesus, grandson, move the plectra of the heart; and you, daughter, chaste mother, do not be absent from the singing choir.

Anne, offspring of kings, long remains barren to her husband; she laments that she is unfruitful, and with weeping prays for offspring; nor do her tears flow in vain.

Heavenly messages promise a child; pregnant, joined to her husband, then as a mother she is proved by the child born, through whom our salvation came.

Thus the venerable stock of Jesse grew green; a fruitful rod comes forth with fertile shoot, by whose flower, restored, we live again from death to life.

By this birth Joachim becomes worthy to present himself in the shrines, removing the reproaches of the high priest. Thus, Anne, prepare us to carry pure prayers to your grandson.

We ask in prayer that you commend us to the boy whom pious chastity, as mother, brought forth. O blessed matron, Christ denies you nothing.

To Christ, who reigns in fellowship with the Father and the Spirit, be glory through all ages; your prayers, O Anne, make him reconciled to us. Amen.

This hymn is sung to the melody of that hymn which, on the Nativity of Saint Mary, is commonly used in many churches, and begins, “Rejoice in your innermost womb, mother,” etc. From the castle of Heidelberg, on the third day before the Kalends of February, 1493.

Poem or hymn of Johannes Herbsluterburgensis on Saint Anne, addressed to the reverend father and lord Johannes Trithemius, abbot

Rejoice, Anne, refuge for the wretched. We pray, we sing, we bring forth songs. On the feast, be gracious with your offspring; now we speak praises to you.

Rejoice, shining earth, fertile with grass and wet with divine dew rained down: a virgin unknowing of crime.

Rejoice, you who were of royal seed; already given to a husband, you had led a renowned marriage, long lacking offspring, made a mother by your vow.

Rejoice, you who, glad when Joachim met you, were overcome; you call upon God with tears. Heard, you receive your husband as he meets you beneath the gate called Golden. She is conceived in the womb.

Rejoice, simplicity wise by angelic [unclear], you who, praised by the choir and divided threefold, distribute your goods to the temple and the poor, and a part to your servants.

Rejoice: the people of the faithful celebrate the feasts, that you, Anne, as patroness for them, may by your prayers render the Spirit with the Father and Christ the begotten propitious. Amen.

This hymn takes the melody of that which is sung for the Ascension of the Lord, namely “Now the celebrated feast,” etc., and of that hymn on the martyrs, “The glorious merits of the saints,” etc. From Heidelberg, on the third day before the Nones of February, in the year 1493.

Elegiac poem of Rutger of Venray, regular canon in Heyna, of the diocese of Worms, on Saint Anne

Hail, splendid mother of the Virgin Mother of the Father’s splendor, of the brightness of undefiled light.

You, holy one, bore for the Lord the divine maiden, from whom Jesus, the kindly light of the world, came forth.

You, steadfastly address [your daughter’s?] child, your grandson, although he himself made the heavens and the earth.

Your grandson himself, Jesus, in the flesh joined highest deity to flesh, for he is God and man.

Therefore, although Jesus has always existed, nevertheless he desires and deigns to be called your grandson.

Do not hesitate to strike such a grandson with prayers, Anne; we ask it, for you will bring all things that are asked.

If he does not bend ready ears to the first requests, Anne, hasten back to your daughter.

Let your daughter show her breasts to her son Christ; at once the kindly mother will bring what is desired.

If the matter is very difficult to obtain by prayer, let the daughter seek aid together with her mother.

My faith is firm, and I do not doubt that the Lord will at once hear both as they pray, with loving ear.

Wherefore, brothers, one ought continually to seek aid by the prayers of Anne and Mary together.

It is certain: if you honor the mother of the Lord’s mother, [unclear] you yourself cherish the titles of the Virgin Mother.

Again, if you venerate the mother of the Lord, it becomes clear that you prepare praises for the Lord in his mother.

May praise, power, and honor be to the Son of Anne’s daughter, and to the highest Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sapphic poem of Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim, on the day of Saint Anne

Let us celebrate the feasts of consecrated Anne.

By the merits of the exalted Mother, richly endowed, who brought forth for the world her who was the parent of the Son of God the Father.

Her life, ever to be venerated by us, is deservedly praised as blessed; with [unclear] endowment she increases [unclear] for wretched minds.

She heals the sick, cleanses all evils, brightens the hearts of the sorrowful with joy, sets in order what is fitting, rules and governs, smooths what is rough.

Mighty, dwelling in the court of the highest King, she will wipe away stains and sins, bestows grace, and leads faithful souls to the stars.

Here, as the brothers throng your feasts, uttering vows and praying good things of you, unite, warm, refresh, and govern them, glorious Mother.

Let honor and power be to the Thunderer above, who, God simple and likewise threefold, bestowed upon Anne the crown of great glory forever. Amen.

This Sapphic hymn is sung to the melody “Ut queant laxis,” etc.; “Vita sanctorum,” “Virginis proles,” “Quod chorus vatum,” “Iste confessor,” and the like, which are Sapphic only. From Sponheim, on the Nones of July, in the year of the Lord 1493.

Elegiac poem of Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim, on Saint Mother Anne.

How great the rewards that Anne gives back to her worshippers, no one grasps in mind or can speak with the mouth. She drives away harsh things, obtains pardon, increases ornaments of honor for her own, and causes them to be in heaven. On the other hand, many very bitter things attend the despisers of Mother Anne; look to yourself, wicked one. She tramples the proud, casts the powerful down from honor, and brings it about that they often suffer great scandals. This is clear and remains fixed: Anne offers joyful things to those who honor her, but brings back more sorrowful things to her enemies.

Therefore, men, I admonish you: serve so great a patroness; and let the choir of women also be present together in love. It is clearly established by examples, what we write; let open ears receive what helps pious hearts.

From Sponheim, on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of August, 1493.

Sapphic poem of Rutger Siccamber, as a hymn in praise of Saint Anne.

We sing your praises, venerable Anne; favor those who praise you with melodies, obtaining pardon for all, granting rewards of salvation.

You, Anne, parent of the Mother of Christ, shining in the highest citadel of heaven, obtain by prayer whatever [you seek] from the Son of the Almighty.

You heal the sick, wipe away stains, make faithful servants obtain their wish; at last you grant them to climb the heavenly kingdom.

By [unclear] morals, Anne, you bent the highest Lord with many prayers, so that he would grant you to become in the world the parent of so great a child.

Let honor and power be to the highest Father, to the heavenly Son, and to the Holy Spirit; brightness, virtue, piety, and strength through every age.

Another by the same.

Let us all resound the diligent praises of Anne, mother of the Virgin Mother, with all our strength, from the marrow of the soul, with ringing voice.

She brought forth for the wretched race, foul with the stain of mother Eve, the noble offspring and radiant brightness which she gave to the world.

This light of the darkening world drove out the darkness, shining upon all with heavenly light, as Saint John proclaims in the sacred book.

Anne, mother of the divine maiden, whose Son you call your grandson only according to the flesh, do not despise the praying people.

Virgin, favor the prayers of your mother Anne, who entreats earnestly for us; you, grandson Jesus, readily fulfill her petition.

To the Son of the daughter of mother Anne, together with the highest God, let honor and power be; let equal honor be to the blessed Spirit for all time.

Another poem by the same, iambic dimeter, which is sung to the melody of the hymns of Ambrose.

Bent low, let us honor the feast of blessed Anne, singing due thanks with our voices and with our inmost hearts.

This is the mother of the gracious Virgin, who brought forth the radiance of the world; this is she who by her virtues made herself most pleasing to God.

She drives away delays, confers grace by her prayers, relieves the most dreadful diseases, of body as well as of spirit.

And in praise of her, O King of heaven, to you with sonorous songs, and at the same time to the Son and the Spirit, we utter pious praises. Amen.

[Unclear] poem by the same, which is sung to the melody “Crux fidelis” or “Pange lingua.”

This company, with voice, vows, and pious hearts, desires to proclaim the feasts of Mother Anne, so illustrious. Kindly be present, we pray, to those who praise you together, you parent of Mary’s mother, you most pleasing to God.

You have preserved the ordinances of the Law which Moses once bestowed upon the fathers of old and upon the Hebrew peoples, obtaining wondrous, gracious gifts for the faithful by pleasing entreaty from the Son of the high Father. You heal the sick, and grant that hearts be chaste. We beseech you, Father, and the Son with the Spirit, that you grant joyful things to us as we sing the renowned praises of most sweet Anne, the kindly mother of the Virgin. Amen.

Poem of Rutger, a venerable German regular canon of [Beynensis], on the book On the Praises of Saint Anne

Whoever you are, reader of this excellent book, lay aside vain fear; it contains no frivolities. This book, pregnant with wondrous meaning and sweet with charm, Abbot Trithemius has published by his art, keeping watch over books, guardian of the sheepfold of Sponheim, who cherishes the sacred writings in the threefold tongue. Here you will find titles full of reason and art concerning Anne; only turn them over in a devout heart. He does not follow vain and doubtful little tales everywhere; he teaches the clear streams of sacred eloquence. Therefore, I pray, read the worthy praises of venerable Anne, which the learned man has brought forth for you in love.

Johannes Trithemius, abbot of Sponheim, sends greeting to the reader.

When recently, at the insistence of friends, I had resolved to write something on the praises of the most holy mother Anne, certain fathers of the order of the brothers of Blessed Mary ever Virgin of Mount Carmel asked that I not omit a defense of the most pure conception of Mary. And so, persuaded by their prayers and otherwise by just reason, I assigned the seventh chapter of this work to the conception of the Mother of God and Virgin. Lest anyone receive it otherwise than my intention has it, I thought the reader should be warned.

For I know, and it does not escape me, that many most holy and most learned men once wrote that the Mother of God was subject to the stain of original sin, men who flourished long before the Council of Basel. I, conceding this opinion to its own time, pass it over altogether untouched, and I in no way intend to say or write anything against them. But if anything said by me is seen as rather harsh, let it be referred not to those who thought otherwise than we do, but only to the obstinate, who, prattling without learning, do not shrink from calling the defenders of the other opinion heretics. And to this my words look, for they mark the present time and not the past. For when I say, “What do the foolish bark? What do the ignorant mutter?” this belongs to the present time, not to the past, and today it rebukes the obstinate, not the ancients who held a different opinion.

When, moreover, I ask what learned man ever wrote the contrary, I do not intend this of the ancient fathers in general, but of those who hold another opinion after the determination of the aforesaid council. And so I censure only the obstinacy of certain ignorant men of this time, not the opinion of any learned men whatsoever who think otherwise, since I am not ignorant of the declaration of Pope Sixtus IV. It has seemed to me, however, in no way abhorrent from the holy Roman Church to hold the faith of the most pure conception, which she believes and venerates; and today this is shown by written documents. Finally, with the doctors of the universities of Paris, Cologne, Heidelberg, Erfurt, Vienna, Leipzig, [Thowingensis], Ingolstadt, Basel, Mainz, and of many others, and with almost all orders and Christ’s faithful spread throughout the whole Christian world, I do not fear to venerate the conception of the Mother of God and Virgin Mary as pure. Yet I do not admit obstinacy, but I wish to obey the Roman Church in all things as the mother, most reverently to be honored, of all churches.

This is the pure and sincere intention of my aforesaid chapter, in which I consider that no one who holds an opinion soberly and without obstinacy is disparaged. Farewell, reader.

This letter of the aforesaid lord Johannes, the abbot, is lacking from certain copies through carelessness and negligence; nevertheless he himself ordered that it be appended to all copies, and decreed that it be regarded by each reader as placed at the beginning.