Ave Regina Caelorum

Madonna by Raphael, an example of Marian art.

Ave Regina Caelorum is one of four Marian antiphons, with following versicles and prayers, traditionally said or sung after each of the canonical hours of the Liturgy of the Hours.[1][2] The prayer is used especially after Compline, the final canonical hour of prayer before going to sleep. It is said from the Feast of the Presentation (February 2) through Wednesday of Holy Week.[3] The origins of the prayer are unknown but it can be found included in a twelfth-century manuscript.[4]

The prayer is associated with indulgences and is listed as Ave Regina Coelorum in the Raccolta book of indulgenced prayers.[5]

Latin Text

Ave, Regina Caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.
V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata.
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos.
Oremus: Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostrae praesidium: ut, qui sanctae Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus; intercessionis eius auxilio, a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

English translation

Hail, O Queen of Heaven enthroned.
Hail, by angels mistress owned.
Root of Jesse, Gate of Morn
Whence the world's true light was born:
Glorious Virgin, Joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see;
Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Plead with Christ our souls to spare.
V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
Let us pray: We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to assist our infirmity: that like as we do now commemorate Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, Mother of God; so by the help of her intercession we may die to our former sins and rise again to newness of life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

An alternate version:

Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels
Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate
From whom unto the world, a light has arisen:
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,
Lovely beyond all others,
Farewell, most beautiful maiden,
And pray for us to Christ.
V. Allow me to praise thee, O sacred Virgin.
R. Against thy enemies give me strength.
Let us pray: Grant unto us, O merciful God, a defense against our weakness, that we who remember the holy Mother of God, by the help of her intercession, may rise from our iniquities, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cori Spezzati: Volume 2: An Anthology of Sacred Polychoral Music by Anthony F. Carver 2009 ISBN 0-521-10635-4 page 121
  2. ↑ Choral Repertoire by Dennis Shrock 2009 ISBN 0-19-532778-0 page 585
  3. ↑ Catholic Encyclopedia, article on Ave Regina 1913 edition, accessed on 21 April 2010
  4. ↑ Cantica Nova Publications, accessed on 21 April 2010
  5. ↑ The Raccolta or A Manual of Indulgences by Joseph P. Christopher,, Charles E. Spence, John F. Rowan, St Athanasius Press ISBN 0-9706526-6-6 page 681

External links

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