At 6 am, noon or 6pm everyday it is custom for Catholics to say either the Angelus or the Regina Caeli. The Angelusdates back to the Middle Ages and is a prayer that commemorates the word becoming flesh in Mary’s womb. It celebrates and remembers the “Yes” Mary gave to the Angel Gabriel. 

Now, the Regina Caeli, or Queen of Heaven as it is translated, is a tribute to our Blessed Virgin Mary exclaiming the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord. In this season of Easter, we begin saying the Regina Caeli because it is a prayer of rejoicing – specifically Mary’s rejoicing after witnessing her only son’s suffering and death on the cross! 

Traditionally, we say the Regina Caeli from Easter Sunday through Pentecost. And we pray the Angelus during the rest of the liturgical year.

Regina Caeli

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.

Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary…

V. And the Word was made Flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary…

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. 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.