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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
History of the Salve Regina
The Salve Regina was written in Latin in the eleventh century and is often credited to Hermann of Reichenau, a Benedictine monk. It became one of the Church’s best-loved hymns, sung at the end of the day by monks and friars, and is still chanted in Latin in many monasteries.
When it is prayed
Most Catholics know it as the closing prayer of the Rosary, after the five decades of Hail Marys. It is also sung or said at Night Prayer (Compline) for much of the Church year.
Frequently asked questions
What are the words of the 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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
When do you say the Hail Holy Queen in the Rosary?
It is prayed at the end of the Rosary, after the fifth decade and the Glory Be, and before the closing prayer.
What does “poor banished children of Eve” mean?
It describes all people as living outside the paradise of Eden after the fall in Genesis 3, longing for our true home with God.
Who wrote the Salve Regina?
It dates from the eleventh century and is traditionally credited to Hermann of Reichenau, though the author is not certain.
More prayers
- The Hail Mary Prayer The traditional Catholic prayer to Mary, with the Bible verses it comes from.
- How to Pray a Novena What a novena is, how to pray one, and a simple nine-day novena from Scripture.
- Morning Prayer Short prayers to start the day, the Lord’s Prayer and the Catholic Morning Offering.
- Prayer for Healing Prayers for your own healing, for someone who is sick, and for healing and strength.
- Prayer for Strength Prayers for strength in hard times, for courage and for guidance.
- Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection A prayer of protection drawn line by line from Psalm 91.