Hail Queen: The Marian antiphon for the end of the day

Description

Salve Regina (Latin for Hail Queen) is one of four Marian antiphons in the Liturgy of the Hours and one of the most beloved and widespread Marian prayers in Christian tradition. Recited at the end of the day and following the Rosary, it is a prayer of filial confidence to the Mother. For a full article: Salve Regina.

Text

“Hail, Queen, Mother of mercy, life, sweetness, and hope of ours, hail. To thee we cry, the degraded sons of Eve. To thee we give voice, with sighs and tears in this valley of tears. Come then, our advocate, turn thy merciful eyes upon us. And after this exile, show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb. O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary.”

Origin and History

The Salve Regina dates back to the 11th century. Its authorship is disputed among Adhémar de Monteil, Hermano Contracto, and Pedro de Compostela. The Cistercians and Dominicans early adopted it into their daily liturgy. The final addition, “O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary,” is attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.

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Church Magisterium

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae. Vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.

(Antiphona Salve Regina* (traditio monastica, saec. XI, Hermanno Contracto attr.))

Translation: Hail, Queen, Mother of mercy, life, sweetness and hope of ours, hail. To thee we cry, the degraded sons of Eve. To thee we give voice, with sighs and tears in this valley of tears.

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