The Salve Regina (“Hail Holy Queen”) is a very popular Marian prayer that has ancient origins. Some scholar believe that it was written by a French bishop named Adhémar, who, before going on the First Crusade (1096-1099 AD), wrote it as a hymn to accompany the Christian soldiers into war. The prayer’s most famous phrase, “in this vale (valley) of tears” recognizes that life is a constant battle and that we need a loving advocate who has the royal power if her queenship to plead our cause. The Hail Holy Queen is traditionally prayed at the end of the Rosary and after Night Prayer as an act of entrustment of our lives and needs to Mary before we sleep.

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 to 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.

V.Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.