Regina Caeli (Latin for “Queen of Heaven”) is a Marian hymn and Catholic prayer. Traditionally, this prayer replaces the Angelus during the Easter season, although today, the Regina Caeli is said primarily in convents and monasteries, where it is sung in Latin. The inspiration for the hymn dates back to Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604). According to legend, he heard angel voices, high above the church, singing the first three verses one Easter morning, and he then added a fourth verse, asking for God’s prayers.

 

The verses are sung text (the antiphon), with the Alleluia serving as a refrain. The verses and a concluding prayer are presented here in Latin, along with the literal translation.

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Regina caeli laetare, Alleluia,
Quia quem meruisti portare. Alleluia.
Resurrexit Sicut dixit, Alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.

Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia.
Quia surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia.

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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.

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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.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, Alleluia.

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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.

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Resources from: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs