The Regina Caeli prayer is believed to have originated in the 12th century. A legend suggests that St. Gregory the Great heard the first three lines chanted by angels on Easter morning. Regardless of origin, this beatiful prayer is prayed throughout the Easter season, often as part of the Church's traditional night prayer and also by replacing the Angelus from Easter until Pentacost. It can be prayed by both individuals and groups in the format below.
Call: Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
Response: For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
C: Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
R: Pray for us to God, alleluia.
C: 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.
