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Hail Holy Queen
The Hail Holy Queen, or Salve Regina, is a traditional Catholic prayer asking the Virgin Mary for her maternal intercession.
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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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“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy”
Mary is honoured as Queen because of her relationship with Christ the King, and as Mother because Christians entrust themselves to her maternal intercession.
“Our life, our sweetness and our hope”
Traditional Marian language is read in relation to Christ. Mary is honoured because she leads the faithful toward her Son, who is the source of salvation.
“To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve”
The prayer places human suffering within the larger Christian story of the Fall and the longing for redemption.
“Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us”
Advocate here means intercessor. Catholics ask Mary to pray for them before God.
“Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus”
The prayer reaches its destination in Christ. Its final desire is to see and belong to Jesus.
In brief
Catholics pray the Hail Holy Queen to ask Mary for her intercession while keeping Jesus as the goal of Christian hope. The prayer culminates by asking Mary to show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of her womb.
Understand
What is this prayer?
The Hail Holy Queen, traditionally known by its Latin title Salve Regina, is a medieval Marian antiphon used in Catholic devotion and liturgical prayer.
Quick facts
- Latin title
- Salve Regina
- Type
- Marian antiphon
- Common use
- Conclusion of the Rosary
- Focus
- Mary's intercession and hope in Christ
- Origin
- Medieval Western Christianity
Why Catholics pray it
Why it matters
Catholics ask Mary to intercede because they believe the saints remain united with the Church in Christ. The prayer's language is strongly affectionate, but Catholic worship remains directed to God alone.
When to pray
When Catholics use it
The Hail Holy Queen is commonly prayed at the end of the Rosary. It also belongs to the Church's tradition of Marian antiphons and may be prayed independently.
Meaning
What the words mean
The prayer describes earthly life as a journey marked by suffering and longing. Mary is asked to act as an advocate and, above all, to lead the faithful toward Jesus.
History
Where this prayer comes from
The Salve Regina arose in medieval Western Christianity and became one of the Church's best-known Marian antiphons. Several historical figures have been associated with it, but its exact authorship is uncertain.
Scripture
Biblical connections
Luke 1:42
Elizabeth blesses Mary and the fruit of her womb, Jesus, language echoed at the climax of the prayer.
John 2:1–5
At Cana, Mary notices the needs of others and brings them to Jesus, a biblical image Catholics often associate with her intercession.
Catholic teaching
Catechism connections
CCC 969
The Catechism describes Mary's maternal role in the Church and her continuing intercession while making clear that it depends entirely on Christ.
CCC 2677
The Catechism explains the Church's confidence in asking Mary to pray for sinners throughout life and at death.
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Common questions
Why is Mary called Queen in the Hail Holy Queen?
Catholic tradition honours Mary as Queen because of her unique relationship with Christ the King. Her queenship is always dependent on and subordinate to Christ.
Why does the prayer call Mary our life and hope?
The language is devotional and poetic, not a claim that Mary replaces Jesus. Catholic doctrine teaches that Christ is the source of salvation; Mary is honoured because she leads believers toward Him.
When is the Hail Holy Queen prayed?
Many Catholics know it as the prayer traditionally said near the end of the Rosary, although it can also be prayed on its own.
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