Salve Regina

Start Here

The Salve Regina, or Hail Holy Queen, entrusts pilgrims in a wounded world to Mary’s maternal intercession. Mary is praised because she leads the faithful to Jesus, the blessed fruit of her womb.

The Prayer

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.

Important Catholic Boundary

Catholic devotion to Mary is Christ-centered. Mary is a creature redeemed by her Son; her intercession never replaces the unique mediation and saving work of Jesus Christ.

Hope in Exile

The prayer does not deny grief. It names mourning and tears while refusing to treat suffering as the last word. Christian exile has a destination: life with Christ.

Mary’s mercy is maternal participation in the mercy of God. The final petition asks her to show us Jesus, making the orientation of the prayer unmistakable.

A Place in Daily Prayer

Pray it at the end of the Rosary.
Use it as a night prayer for the Church and the suffering.
Sing or recite it during seasons of grief or pilgrimage.
Let its final line renew hope in the promises of Christ.

A Catholic Practice Plan

Pray the Salve Regina for someone who is grieving, displaced, imprisoned, or far from the Church, then offer one concrete act of mercy.

Sources and Editorial Notes

This page is self-contained. These open sources are supplied for verification and deeper study.

St. Paul VI: Marialis Cultus
Official guidance on sound Marian devotion centered on Christ and the Church's worship.
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy
Official principles for devotions in harmony with Scripture and the sacred liturgy.
EWTN: Catholic Devotions
Accessible index for established Catholic prayers and devotions.

Traditional prayer text; commentary is original to CatholicG33k and follows the Church’s Christ-centered principles for Marian devotion.