Ave Regina Caelorum (Hail Queen of Heaven) is one of the four chant antiphons from the Liturgy of the Hours that are sung for each season of the liturgical year. It is traditionally sung at the end of
the Compline of February 2 (normally the Feast of the Purification) until the Compline of Wednesday in Holy Week.
The hymn praises Our Lady, acknowledging her Queenship over heaven and angels, and extolling her unparalleled beauty and favor with God. It also acknowledges her as the mediator between men and Our Lord Jesus Christ, as it asks her to pray for us to Our Lord.
Ave Regina caelorum,
Ave Domina Angelorum:
Salve radix, salve porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude Virgo, gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.
English translation:
Hail, queen of heaven,
Hail lady of the angels.
Hail, root, hail door
From whom the Light of the world was born.
Rejoice, glorious Virgin,
Precious above all.
Hail, O very beautiful one,
And plead for us to Christ.
