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

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.

V. Has risen, as He said, alleluia.

R. 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 His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Latin

V. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.

R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.

V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.

R. 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.

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