Regina Caeli is one of the Gregorian chant Marian antiphons, but unlike others such as Salve Regina, it is specifically tied to the Easter season, appealing joyfully to the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven to rejoice with us as we celebrate the resurrection of Her Son, Jesus.
It is direct and joyful, even in its simplicity.
Listen to the chant here:
(This is my version of the Gregorian chant Regina Caeli from my Cassia & Myrrh Catholic project, and you can find my free full Gregorian chant album with PDF guide at the end of this article.)
Latin Text (Full Chant)
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia:
quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia:
ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
English Translation
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
for He whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia,
has risen as He said, alleluia:
pray for us to God, alleluia.
What “Regina Caeli” Means
Regina caeli translates directly as “Queen of heaven.” The opening word laetare means “rejoice.”
The tone is set immediately in this beautiful outpouring of celebration and enthusiasm and deep joy. After the time of Lent where we reflect deeply on Mary as the sorrowing Mother, we step now into unhindered rejoicing.
This prayer (and sometimes the Gregorian chant form) replaces the normative praying of the Angeles in the Easter season in order to compel us to contemplate the Resurrection with our full and constant awareness.
Christ is risen as He said! There is no more room for tears or gloom but only looking forward to the fullness of all He promised in eternity.
Structure of the Text
The text is short and moves in a clear sequence:
- address to Mary
- reference to Christ
- statement of the Resurrection
- request for prayer
Contained in just a few very short phrases, we are already deeply educated according to the riches of the faith about Mary, the Incarnation, Her ever-present role in salvation, the reality of the resurrection, and the incredible power of Her prayers for all of our needs, and most especially, our eternal destiny
Role of “Alleluia”
The repeated alleluia is critical to the power of this prayer, revealing the utmost need in us to fully recognize the power of Christ’s resurrection, and to understand its manifold consequences.
During Lent, alleluia is absent from the liturgy by design, to offer us a time of renunciation and contemplation on the sufferings of Christ. During Easter, it returns, and in this chant it appears with emphasis at the end of each line – almost as if the alleluia cannot resist breaking out in response to the most wonderful news that has ever graced the Earth.
That repetition reinforces the tone in an elegant and beautiful way.
What to Listen for
The melody follows the structure closely. Each phrase is distinct but connected, making the chant easy to follow even for someone unfamiliar with Latin. Like most of the most well-loved and familiar chants of the church, the Regina Caeli is accessible to all as a means of personal prayer and accessing the deep mysteries of our faith, steeped in the profound tradition of ancient Gregorian chant.
Looking for more Gregorian chant resources? Browse the full Gregorian Chant Catalogue.
Catholic Kind: Catholic Music & Culture Resource 
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