Solemn Regina Cœli

Marian Hymn for the Easter Season

Premonstratensian Chant Version

(May 2026)

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In all the Gospel accounts of Easter morning, there is a sense of confusion and disorientation — everyone is running around in various stages of belief and unbelief, of wonderment and bewilderment.

No one seems quite sure what has happened or what it all means. The world has forever changed, a new day has dawned, and humanity is still dazed by the blinding light.

But by Easter evening all the activity has quieted down. As we prepare to retire for the night, we close Compline at the feet of our Blessed Mother, chanting the lovely Regina Cœli.

“Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia.
For He Whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia.
Has risen as He foretold, alleluia.”

While all the disciples of Christ doubted, despaired and fled on the night of Our Lord’s passion, his Mother believed in hope and remained. Of his followers, she alone heard Our Lord’s words and never doubted that He would fulfill them. She alone knew that Jesus would rise, as He said He would.

Yet, despite this knowledge, she was not spared the profound sorrow that was hers as she stood beneath the cross. She was always, until the very end, intimately connected with her Son: she was found worthy to bear Him in his Incarnation and she stood by Him in his suffering and death.

Following Him through all his labors and sufferings, she merited to be intimately connected with Him in his triumph and his glory. She now reigns as Queen of Heaven beside her Son, as she rejoices with Him in his victory over death.

“Pray for us to God, alleluia.”

Mary is our perfect model as we learn to live the new life that Christ has won for us by his death and resurrection. She flawlessly exemplifies the life of a true Christian, which St. Paul describes in his letter to the Romans (12:9-15):

“Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

This Easter season, as we sing the Regina Cœli each evening, we are invited to rejoice with the rejoicing Queen of Heaven. As we place ourselves at the feet of this perfect Christian, may we all learn from her to believe, to follow, and to rejoice in our Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be all praise and glory, forever and ever.

“Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has indeed risen, alleluia.”