The Angelus
| English Version | Latin Version |
| V. The angel spoke God’s message to Mary R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit Hail Mary …V. “I am the lowly servant of the Lord: R. Let it be done to me according to your word.” Hail Mary …V. And the Word became flesh R. and lived among us. Hail Mary … V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God, R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.Let us pray: Lord, fill our hearts with your grace: once, through the message of an angel you revealed to us the incarnation of your Son; now, through His suffering and death lead us to the glory of His resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord.R. Amen. | L. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae,A. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. Ave Maria …L. “Ecce Ancilla Domini, A. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” Ave Maria …L. Et verbum caro factum est, A. Et habitavit in nobis Ave Maria … L. Ora pro nobis,sancta Dei Genitrix, A. Ut digni nefficiamur promissionibus Christi.L: Oremus Gratiam tuam, quaesumus Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem eius et crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.R. Amen. |
Memorare
The Memorare is a sixteenth-century version of a fifteenth-century prayer that began “Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria.” Claude Bernard (1588-1641) popularized the idea that the Memorare was written by Saint Bernard.
Remember, most loving Virgin Mary,
never was it heard
that anyone who turned to you for help
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
though burdened by my sins,
I run to your protection
for you are my mother.
Mother of the Word of God,
do not despise my words of pleading
but be merciful and hear my prayer.
Amen.
Sub Tuum Praesidium
This prayer, known in Latin as Sub tuum Praesidium and first found in a Greek papyrus, c. 300 A.D., is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin.
We turn to you for protection,
Holy Mother of God.
Listen to our prayers
and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.
Antiphons of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The following antiphons of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be sung at the conclusion of any seasonal prayer services. They may also be used in private prayer.
Alma Redemptoris Mater
The “Alma Redemptoris Mater,” which dates from the eleventh century, is one of the four antiphons sung after Night Prayer. It is used in the Advent Season.
| Loving mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again. To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, Yet remained a virgin after as before. You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners. | Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem, Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore, sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. |
Ave Regina Caelorum
The “Ave Regina Caelorum” is one of the four antiphons sung after Night Prayer. It is used in Lent.
| Hail, Queen of heaven; Hail, Mistress of the Angels; Hail, root of Jesus; Hail, the gate through which the Light rose over the earth. Rejoice, Virgin most renowned and of unsurpassed beauty.Farewell, O most beautiful one, and beseech Christ for us. | 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. |
Regina Caeli
The “Regina Caeli” is a twelfth-century antiphon for Evening Prayer during the Easter Season. Since the thirteenth century, it has been used as the seasonal antiphon in honor of the Blessed Virgin after Night Prayer.
| Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia, has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray to God for us, alleluia.Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia. | Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia: quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. |
Salve, Regina
The “Salve, Regina” is one of the four Marian antiphons sung at the end of Night Prayer, according to the season. It was possibly written by Hermann the Lame, a monk of Reichenau (1013-1054), or by Adhemar, bishop of Le Puy (d. 1098). The “Salve, Regina” was also used as a processional antiphon at the Abbey of Cluny (France) from around 1135.
| Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, the children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this land of exile. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; lead us home at last and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus: O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary. | Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae; vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria. |