The Hail Holy Queen, or Salve Regina, is one of the four great Marian antiphons of the Church. Originating in the 11th century, it is a hymn of praise to Mary as Mother of Mercy and a plea for her intercession. Traditionally recited after the Rosary, this prayer is a staple of Catholic devotion.
The Salve Regina is most often attributed to Hermannus Contractus, an 11th-century Benedictine monk, though its precise authorship is uncertain. It grew in popularity through monastic orders like the Cistercians and Dominicans. The final line, “O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary,” is traditionally held to have been added by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century. The prayer is one of the four seasonal Marian antiphons prescribed in the Liturgy of the Hours.
This prayer expresses the Church's confidence in Mary's maternal intercession. It acknowledges our state as “banished children of Eve” in a “valley of tears,” reflecting the doctrine of Original Sin and our earthly pilgrimage. Mary is invoked as our “advocate,” a title that highlights her role in presenting our petitions to her Son, Jesus. The prayer culminates in a hope-filled request to see Jesus after our earthly “exile,” affirming our ultimate goal of heaven.
The Hail Holy Queen is most commonly prayed at the conclusion of the Rosary. In the Church's official prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours, it is the prescribed Marian antiphon for Compline (Night Prayer) from the end of the Easter season until the beginning of Advent. It is also a fitting personal prayer when seeking Mary's comfort and intercession during times of trial, reflecting the prayer's language of sorrow and hope.
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