Marian antiphons: the four antiphons of the Liturgy of the Hours.

What are the Marian antiphons?

The Marian antiphons are four liturgical hymns sung or prayed at the end of Compline (the last canonical hour of the day) according to the seasons of the liturgical year. They are called “antiphons” because originally they were sung in alternating fashion (antiphōnos, in Greek: “voice of response”) between two choirs. In the Benedictine tradition and in the Roman Breviary, these four antiphons structure daily Marian devotion throughout the year: the Alma Redemptoris Mater in Advent and Christmas, the Ave Regina Caelorum from the Purification to Holy Thursday, the Regina Caeli in Easter Time, and the Salve Regina from the Saturday after Pentecost to Advent.

1. Alma Redemptoris Mater (Advent and Christmas)

The Alma Redemptoris Mater (“Loving Mother of the Redeemer”) is attributed to the monk Hermannus Contractus (1013-1054), of the monastery of Reichenau. It is sung from the 1st Sunday of Advent until the feast of Candlemas (February 2). The hymn greets Mary as “the gate of heaven that remains open,” “star of the sea,” the mother who gave birth to the Creator. Theologically, it concentrates on the paradox of the divine motherhood: Mary is “mother of her Creator” (genitrix Creatoris), an expression synonymous with Theotókos. The ending asks for Mary’s intercession for the sinners who try to rise.

2. Ave Regina Caelorum (Purification to Holy Thursday)

The Ave Regina Caelorum (“Hail, Queen of Heaven”) is sung from the feast of the Purification of Mary (February 2) until the beginning of the Easter Triduum. Of medieval origin, it greets Mary as “the root from which the world sprang” and “the gate through which the light entered the world.” It is the briefest of the four antiphons and the most jubilant in tone. The final versicle, “Pray to Christ for us, Queen of Heaven,” sums up the intercessory dimension of Mary.

3. Regina Caeli (Easter Time)

The Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”) is sung during Easter Time, from the Easter Vigil to the Saturday after Pentecost. The origin of the hymn is medieval, probably from the 12th century. Its structure is threefold: (1) the joy of Mary at the resurrection of her Son, (2) the fulfillment of the prophecy she received from the angel, (3) the request for intercession. The Regina Caeli replaces the Angelus during Easter Time. Benedict XIV (1742) enriched the Regina Caeli with indulgences. On Sundays, at the hour of the Angelus (12 noon), the faithful pray the Regina Caeli instead of the traditional Angelus.

4. Salve Regina (Pentecost to Advent)

The Salve Regina (“Hail, Holy Queen”) is the best known of the four Marian antiphons. Its authorship is disputed among Hermannus Contractus, Peter of Mezonzo and Adhémar de Monteil. It is sung during the greater part of the liturgical year. The Salve calls Mary “our life, our sweetness and our hope,” describes the faithful as “banished children of Eve” who mourn and weep “in this valley of tears,” and ends with the supplication that she show us Jesus after the earthly exile. The Salve was adopted by the Dominicans in the 13th century and spread through the Rosary and numerous popular devotions.

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