Regina Caeli
The Regina Caeli rejoices with Mary in the Resurrection of Jesus. It traditionally replaces the Angelus during the Easter season, from Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday, at the customary times of morning, noon, and evening.
On this page
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. For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who through the Resurrection of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, didst vouchsafe to give joy to the world; 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.
In Latin
Regína cæli, lætáre, allelúia.
Quia quem meruísti portáre, allelúia,
Resurréxit, sicut dixit, allelúia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, allelúia.
V. Gaude et lætáre, Virgo María, allelúia.
R. Quia surréxit Dóminus vere, allelúia.
Orémus. Deus, qui per resurrectiónem Fílii tui, Dómini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum lætificáre dignátus es, præsta, quæsumus, ut per eius Genetrícem Vírginem Maríam, perpétuæ capiámus gáudia vitæ. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
Rejoicing in the risen Christ
The Regina Caeli is a Marian prayer of Easter joy. Its Latin title means “Queen of heaven.” We ask Mary to rejoice because Jesus, whom she bore, has risen from the dead. The repeated alleluia gives the prayer its Easter character. The final petition asks her to pray to God for us.
Its devotional form includes the antiphon, a versicle and response, and a closing prayer. In a group, a leader gives the versicle and everyone answers. The antiphon is also familiar in sung forms.
The closing prayer asks God for the joys of everlasting life through Mary's intercession. It recalls Christ's Resurrection as the reason for that hope, joining the antiphon's Alleluia to a petition for those who are praying.
When does it replace the Angelus?
Pray the Regina Caeli in place of the Angelus during the Easter season, from Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday. After Pentecost, return to the Angelus. The customary times remain morning, noon, and evening. The dates change each year because Easter changes; the Catholic calendar shows the season's principal dates.
The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, §196, explains this replacement during Easter time. It connects the Incarnation recalled in the Angelus with the Resurrection celebrated in the Regina Caeli. The mother who received the angel's message is invited to rejoice in her Son's victory over death.
Standing is a familiar Easter custom for this prayer. Local practice and a person's ability determine the posture.
Its place beside the Rosary
The Regina Caeli is an optional addition after the Rosary's closing prayers during Easter, particularly near a customary Angelus time. It is said as a whole and has no assigned bead. The Glorious Mysteries offer a fuller meditation on the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Assumption, and Coronation of Mary.