The Regina Caeli, Latin for "Queen of Heaven," is a joyful prayer to Mary celebrating the Resurrection of her Son. It is prayed during the Easter season, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, in place of the Angelus.
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia, has risen, as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray.
O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
When to Pray It
- From Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday
- At 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m., the same times as the Angelus
- It is also sung at the end of Night Prayer during the Easter season
Like the Angelus, it is traditionally prayed standing, as a sign of joy in the Resurrection.
What It Means
The Regina Caeli is full of Easter joy. Every line ends with alleluia, the Church's great song of praise, which returns at Easter after being silent through Lent.
- "Queen of Heaven, rejoice": we invite Mary, who stood at the foot of the cross, to rejoice now that her Son has risen.
- "He whom you did merit to bear": the Son she carried in her womb.
- "Has risen, as He said": Jesus kept His promise to rise on the third day.
- "Pray for us to God": we ask Mary to pray that we, too, may share in that eternal joy.
Where It Comes From
The Regina Caeli dates from at least the 12th century. Its author is unknown. A popular legend tells that Pope St. Gregory the Great heard angels singing its first lines during a procession in Rome, and added the final line himself. Whatever its origin, it has been the Church's Easter song to Mary for centuries.
In Latin
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.
Oremus.
Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es, praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Related
The Regina Caeli celebrates the same event as the first Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary: the Resurrection.