Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
The Hail Holy Queen, known in Latin as the Salve Regina, is one of four ancient Marian antiphons of the Catholic Church. Dating back to the 11th century, this beautiful prayer hails Mary as Queen of Heaven and begs her intercession as a merciful advocate.
Today, the Hail Holy Queen is most commonly prayed at the end of the Rosary, but it has also been sung at Compline (Night Prayer) for centuries. Its haunting melody has inspired some of the most beautiful sacred music in history.
Hail Holy Queen - Full Text
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping
in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us.
And after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Amen.
Salve Regina (Latin)
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus
exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.
Amen.
Understanding the Hail Holy Queen
This prayer is rich with meaning, expressing both our human condition and our hope in Mary's intercession:
"Poor banished children of Eve"
We acknowledge ourselves as descendants of Eve, exiled from paradise due to original sin. This life is not our true home—we are "in exile" awaiting heaven.
"This valley of tears"
Life on earth involves suffering, sorrow, and struggle. The image of a valley suggests we are looking up toward the heights of heaven.
"Most gracious advocate"
Mary advocates for us before her Son. An advocate speaks on behalf of another—Mary presents our prayers to Jesus.
"Show unto us... Jesus"
The ultimate goal of all Marian devotion: to see Jesus. Mary always leads us to her Son, not away from Him.
"O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary"
The triple exclamation expresses the tenderness of Mary's character—she is gentle, loving, and sweet in her care for us.
History of the Salve Regina
The Salve Regina has a rich history:
- 11th century: Composed, possibly by Hermann of Reichenau (Herman the Cripple), a disabled Benedictine monk known for his hymns
- 1135: Adopted by the Cistercian Order for daily use at Compline
- Middle Ages: Sung by Crusaders before battle and by sailors before voyages
- 1884: Pope Leo XIII prescribed it to be said after Low Mass
- Today: Traditionally prayed at the end of the Rosary