Regina Coeli

Coronation of the Virgin of 1340-1350, a Gothic depiction of Mary's queenship by Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio

The Regina Cæli or Regina Cœli ("Queen of Heaven", pronounced [reˈdʒina ˈtʃeli] in Ecclesiastical Latin) is an ancient Latin Marian Hymn of the Christian 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). Any one of these four or of other suitable antiphons may now be sung at any time of the liturgical year. The Regina Coeli is sung or recited in place of the Angelus during the Easter season, from Easter Sunday until Pentecost.

Etymology

As with many Roman Catholic prayers, it takes its name from its incipit or first word(s). The Latin word coelum, meaning "heaven" (hence the English word celestial), was a common medieval and early modern spelling of caelum, which was the only form in Classical Latin. In medieval Latin, ae and oe were both pronounced [eː]; the form was also influenced by an extremely dubious etymology from Greek koilos, "hollow".

History

While the authorship of the Regina Caeli is unknown, the hymn has been traced back to the 12th 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.^[1]

Settings

There are plainsong melodies (a simple and an ornate form) associated with Regina Caeli, the official or "typical" melody being found in the Vatican Antiphonary, 1911, p. 126. The antiphonal strophes of Regina Caeli were often set by polyphonic composers of the 16th century. Lully's motet "Regina coeli, laetare" was written in 1684. There are three settings by the young Mozart (K.108, K.127, and K.276), and one by Brahms (Op. 37 #3). Settings continue to be written in the twenty-first century.^[2]

In Anglican churches, the alternative translation (see below) is in 7.7.7.7 metre, and is usually sung to the hymn tune known as Easter Hymn, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" or the hymn tune "Ave Virgo Virginum" (Hail Virgin of virgins).

Latin text

Notation

℣. Regina cæli, lætare, alleluia:

℟. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

℣. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,

℟. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

℣. Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.

℟. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

℣. Oremus:

Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi,

mundum lætificare dignatus es:

præsta, quæsumus, ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam,

perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ.

Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.

℟. Amen.

• Gregorian Chant Audio

English text

Part of a series on the
Mariology of the Catholic Church
Virgo by Josef Moroder-Lusenberg
Overview Prayers Antiphons Hymns to Mary Devotional practices Saints Societies Consecrations and entrustments Veneration
Prayers Angelus As a Child I Loved You Fátima prayers Flos Carmeli Hail Mary Hail Mary of Gold Immaculata prayer Magnificat Mary, Mother of Grace Mary Our Queen Memorare Sub tuum praesidium
Antiphons Alma Redemptoris Mater Ave maris stella Ave Regina Caelorum Salve Regina
Hymns to Mary Hail Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star Immaculate Mary Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming O sanctissima Regina Coeli Stabat Mater
Devotional Practices Acts of Reparation Consecration to Mary First Saturdays Rosary Seven Joys of the Virgin Seven Sorrows of Mary Three Hail Marys
Movements and societies Sodality of Our Lady Congregation of Marian Fathers Company of Mary (Montfort) Marianists (Society of Mary) Marist Fathers Marist Brothers Schoenstatt Movement Legion of Mary World Apostolate of Fátima (Blue Army) Mariological Society Our Lady's Rosary Makers Marian Movement of Priests Fatima Family Apostolate Queen of Angels Foundation
Apparitions Approved by the Pope Banneux Beauraing Fátima Guadalupe La Salette Laus Lourdes Miraculous Medal Pontmain
Key Marian feast days Mother of God (1 January) Annunciation (25 March) Assumption (15 August) Immaculate Conception (8 December)
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A literal translation (note: ℣ stands for Versicle and ℟ stands for Response):

℣. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:

℟. The Son whom you merited 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 through the resurrection of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ

gave rejoicing to the world

grant, we pray, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary,

we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.

Through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

See also

• The Glories of Mary
• Queen of Heaven
• Angelus

Notes

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Regina Coeli.

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)
• The International Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton
• The Marian Library at the University of Dayton