ÁVE REGÍNA CÆLÓRUM | HAIL, O QUEEN OF HEAVEN
SALUTE THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND PRAY FOR GOD'S PROTECTION
About This Prayer
The Ave Regina Caelorum (Hail, Queen of Heaven) is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons of the Liturgy of the Hours. It is prayed from the evening of February 2 (Presentation of the Lord) through Wednesday of Holy Week. This antiphon salutes Mary as Queen of Heaven and asks for her intercession.
Pray Daily from 2-February until Spy Wednesday of Holy Week
ÁVE REGÍNA CÆLÓRUM
Áve, Regína cælórum, Áve, Dómina Angelórum: Sálve, rádix, sálve, pórta, Ex qua mundo lux est órta: Gáude, Vírgo gloriósa, Super ómnes speciósa, Vále, o valde decóra, Et pro nóbis Chrístum exóra. V. Dignare me laudáre te, Virgo sacrata. R. Da mihi virtútem contra hostes tuos. Oremus Concede, misericors Déus, fragilitati nóstræ præsidium; ut, qui sánctæ Déi Genetricis memoriam agimus; intercessionis éius auxilio, a nóstris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dóminum nóstrum. Amen.
HAIL, O QUEEN OF HEAVEN
Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned. Hail, by angels Mistress owned. Root of Jesse, Gate of morn, Whence the world's true light was born. Glorious Virgin, joy to thee, Loveliest whom in Heaven they see, Fairest thou where all are fair, Plead with Christ our souls to spare. V. Allow me to praise thee, holy Virgin. R. Give me strength against thy enemies. Let us Pray Grant, O merciful God, to our weak natures Thy protection, that we who commemorate the holy Mother of God may, by the help of her intercession, arise from our iniquities. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Common Questions
When is the Ave Regina Caelorum prayed?
The Ave Regina Caelorum is the Marian antiphon of Lent, prayed from the evening of February 2 (the Presentation of the Lord, also called Candlemas) through Wednesday of Holy Week. During this season it is sung at Compline (Night Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours. The faithful may also pray it privately at any time during these days, especially in the silence of the evening.
What does the text of the Ave Regina Caelorum say?
The Ave Regina Caelorum is a salutation to Mary as Queen of Heaven and Queen of Angels, addressing her as 'root of Jesse' and 'gate of light' through whom the Light of the world has come. It rejoices in her glorious beauty and asks her to plead with Christ for the sins of those who pray. The four short verses balance praise with humble petition, fitting the penitential tone of Lent.
Where does this antiphon come from?
The Ave Regina Caelorum dates to at least the 12th century and has been preserved in monastic books from that period onward. Its precise authorship is unknown, like so many of the Latin liturgical hymns of medieval Europe. By the late Middle Ages it was firmly part of the Divine Office and was assigned to the Lenten season as one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons.
How does this antiphon fit with the four seasonal Marian antiphons?
The Ave Regina Caelorum is one of four great Marian antiphons sung at Compline (Night Prayer) in the Liturgy of the Hours, each assigned to a particular liturgical season. The Alma Redemptoris Mater is sung from the First Sunday of Advent through February 2; the Ave Regina Caelorum from February 2 through Wednesday of Holy Week; the Regina Caeli throughout the Easter season; and the Salve Regina from after Pentecost through the start of Advent. Together these four antiphons consecrate every season of the Church year to the Mother of God.