- a Marian antiphon/hymn/prayer said or sung during Easter through Pentecost
- The Regina Cæli or Regina Cœli ("Queen of Heaven", pronounced [reˈdʒina ˈtʃeli] in ecclesiastical Latin), is an ancient Latin Marian Hymn of the Catholic Church.
It is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prescribed to be sung or recited in the Liturgy of the Hours at the conclusion of the last of the hours to be prayed in common that day, typically night prayer (Compline or Vespers). The Regina Coeli is sung or recited in place of the Angelus during the Easter season, from Holy Saturday through the Saturday after Pentecost.
- While the authorship of the Regina Caeli is unknown, the hymn has been traced back to the twelfth century. It was in Franciscan use, after Compline, in the first half of the following century. According to Catholic Tradition St Gregory the Great heard angels chanting the first three lines one Easter morning in Rome, while following barefoot in a great religious procession of the icon of the Virgin painted by Luke the Evangelist. He was thereupon inspired to add the fourth line.
PRAYER:
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.
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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PRAYER (English and Latin):
Queen of Heaven
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 the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Regina caeli
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.
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LATIN (HYMN):
Regina Coeli, laetare, alleluia!
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia!
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia!
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia!
LINKS/ SOURCES:
- "Regina Coeli" (Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Coeli
- "Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12718b.htm
- "Regina Coeli" (prayer) (Catholic Online):
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1431
- "Regina Coeli" (prayer) (EWTN):
https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/ReginaCoeli%20.htm
- "Regina Coeli" (prayer: English and Latin) (EWTN):
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/maryd6c.htm
- audio file: http://www.catholicchant.com/reginacaeli.html
- gregorian chant notes (simple tone): http://chantblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-marian-antiphons-regina-caeli.html
- piano notes (Antonio Lotti): http://www.hymnary.org/tune/regina_coeli_laetare_alleluia_lotti
- guitar tabs: http://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/gregorian-chant-regina-caeli-tab-g-s30479
- http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/maryd6c.htm
- piano notes (Antonio Lotti): http://www.hymnary.org/tune/regina_coeli_laetare_alleluia_lotti
- guitar tabs: http://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/gregorian-chant-regina-caeli-tab-g-s30479
- http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/maryd6c.htm
