Catholic Church Times
Marian Prayers

Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven)

Also known as: Regina Coeli Queen of Heaven Regina Caeli

English Text

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.

Translation tradition: Traditional English

Latin Text

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia. Qui 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, perpetua capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Scripture: Luke 1:28; Matthew 28:6

When to pray: Instead of the Angelus from Easter Sunday through Pentecost; at the end of Compline during Eastertide.

History & Background

The Regina Caeli is the Marian antiphon appointed for the Easter season (Easter Sunday through Pentecost), replacing the Angelus during those weeks. Its origin is uncertain; a medieval legend attributed its composition to Pope Gregory the Great (c. 590), but this is not historically supported. The earliest manuscripts containing the full text date to the 12th century. Pope Gregory IX (1227–1241) ordered it sung after Compline during Eastertide. It entered the Roman Breviary and became a standard part of the Church's liturgy. Pope Pius XII (r. 1939–1958) recited it publicly from the Vatican during the Easter season, establishing the tradition that John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have continued with the Sunday noon broadcast.

Related Prayers

Source

https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html verbatim