Regina Coeli

It seems strange to post Easter prayers during Holy Week, but since I probably won't post again until after the Easter season begins, I decided to give you this post early in case anyone wants to recite this prayer during the Easter season.

The "Angelus" is an ancient prayer celebrating the Incarnation. The prayer is recited daily at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm, except during the Easter season.  Traditionally, the hour of recitation was marked with the ringing of the church bells, sounding the time when the monastics recited their prayers and reminding the faithful to pause and pray also. Today few churches outside Vatican City ring the Angelus bells, but we still are encouraged to recite the beautiful prayers to our Lady.

 The Angelus 

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary...(If needed the full Hail Mary can be found under the Common Prayers page at the top.)

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: 
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: 
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, 
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the 
glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

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 During Paschaltide, from Easter Sunday through the octave of Pentecost, the "Angelus" is replaced by the joyful prayer "Regina Coeli Laetare". The "Regina Coeli" is a 12th century hymn in honor of Our Lord's resurrection and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Again it would be recited daily at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm, not just on Easter Sunday but throughout all the days of the Easter season.

 Regina Coeli 

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
R. For He whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia.
V. Has risen as He said, Alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray.
O God, who gave joy to the world through the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.