Jean-François Millet, The Angelus, 1857–59
Project Angelus

Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven — The Easter Antiphon

During Paschaltide (from Easter Sunday through Pentecost), the Church replaces The Angelus with the Regina Caeli, a joyful antiphon celebrating Christ's Resurrection and Our Lady's joy.

English

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
For He Whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia,
Hath risen, as He said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia,

R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the whole world: grant, we beseech Thee, that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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.

About the Regina Caeli

The Regina Caeli (Latin for "Queen of Heaven") is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons of the Catholic Church. It is recited or sung in place of The Angelus during the Easter season, from Holy Saturday until Pentecost.

According to tradition, the prayer dates back to at least the 12th century. Legend holds that Pope St. Gregory the Great heard angels singing the first three lines during an Easter procession, and he added the fourth line himself.

The prayer celebrates the Resurrection of Christ and invites the Blessed Virgin Mary to rejoice that her Son, whom she bore in her womb, has risen from the dead as He promised.

Outside of Paschaltide

During the rest of the liturgical year, the traditional prayer at 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM is The Angelus, commemorating the Incarnation of Our Lord.

View the Angelus prayer →

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