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Hail Holy Queen

A Prayer to Mary, the Queen of Heaven

By Scott P. Richert, About.com

The Hail Holy Queen (also commonly known by its Latin name, the Salve Regina) is one of four special anthems to the Mother of God that have traditionally been part of the Liturgy of the Hours, and which vary depending on the season. In the Traditional Latin Mass, these anthems are also usually sung at a High Mass, either at the end of the Mass or during Holy Communion.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Hail Holy Queen is recited from Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost Sunday) until the Saturday before Advent. This prayer is also commonly said at the end of the rosary, in morning prayers, and during the prayers at the end of a Low Mass in the Traditional Latin Mass.

Hail Holy Queen

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.

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