Regina Caeli Laetare

Queen of heaven, rejoice!

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia; for He whom thou was chosen to bear, alleluia; has risen as He said, alleluia; pray for us to God, alleluia!

The four great seasonal Marian antiphons come from the Divine Office, office of Compline, the last of the sung hours of the day. At the close of Compline, one of the four seasonal Marian prayers is sung: Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina Caelorum, Regina Caeli, or Salve Regina. Traditionally, at Compline, the Latin anthem is followed by seasonal declamations and a prayer. When sung at the conclusion of Mass, only the anthem is sung.

Regina Caeli is sung from Easter Vigil through Pentecost Sunday.

The text first appeared about the year 1200, and is often credited to Pope Gregory V (+998); the chant melody probably dates from the 14th century.

Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia; quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia; resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia; ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

— Above text adapted from Lucy Carroll here.