Regina Caeli Prayer: Full Text, When to Pray It (Easter Marian)
From Easter through Pentecost, many Catholics replace the Angelus with the Regina Caeli — a joyful greeting to the Mother of the Risen Christ.
Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven, rejoice!) replaces the Angelus during Easter season — from Easter Sunday through Pentecost. Catholics pray it at noon commemorating Mary's joy at the Resurrection; Latin and English forms are common in parishes and homes.
Regina Caeli (English)
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 through the resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ did give joy 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.
Regina Caeli (Latin)
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia; quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. 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 Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
The Regina Caeli is traditionally prayed at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. during Eastertide — the same rhythm as the Angelus in Ordinary Time and Advent. It keeps Mary at the center of the Church's joy in the Resurrection.
When Does Eastertide Run?
Eastertide begins on Easter Sunday and continues through Pentecost (the fiftieth day). During this season the Church sings alleluia with special intensity, and Marian prayer focuses on Mary as Mother of the Risen Lord.