Anthems of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Anthems of The Blessed Virgin Mary are a set of four sung prayers in honor of Our Lady. Each one has been set to music by many different composers and in a variety of different styles. But there are some particularly famous and beloved settings of each one.

The anthems have their roots in the Liturgy of the Hours. Traditionally one of them is sung at the end of Compline each day, and each one corresponds to a particular liturgical season.
They may also be used at other times of prayer when an act of homage to The Blessed Virgin Mary is appropriate such as at the end of The Most Holy Rosary.

Regina Coeli

During Eastertide, until First Vespers of Trinity Sunday

O Queen of heaven, be joyful, alleluia;
Because he whom so meetly thou barest, alleluia,
Hath arisen, as he promised, alleluia:
Pray for us to the Father, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who, by the resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ didst vouchsafe to give gladness unto the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, being holpen by the Virgin Mary, his Mother, may attain unto the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

An alternative version of the “Hail Mary” is as follows.

V.        Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
            Blessed art thou among women,
            and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R.        Son of Mary, son of the living God,
            have mercy upon us, now,
            and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 

Alma Redemptoris Mater

From Advent to the Feast of the Presentation

Gracious Mother of our Redeemer, for ever abiding Heaven’s gateway, and star of ocean, O succor the people, who, though falling, strive to rise again. Thou Maiden who barest thy holy Creator, to the wonder of all nature; ever Virgin, after, as before thou receivedst that Ave from the mouth of Gabriel; have compassion on us sinners.

In Advent
V. The Angel of the Lord announced unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Let us pray: We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts: that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ (announced) by the message of an angel (to the Virgin Mary), so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

From First Vespers of the Nativity
V. After Childbearing, O Virgin, thou didst remain inviolate.
R. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

Let us pray: O God, who by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: Grant, we beseech thee, that we may know the help of her intercession through whom we have been accounted worthy to receive the Author of our life, Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.

Ave Regina Coelorum

From Candlemas to Maundy Thursday

Queen of the heavens, we hail thee,
Hail thee, Lady of all the Angels;
Thou the dawn, the door of morning
Whence the world’s true light is risen:
Joy to thee, O Virgin glorious,
Beautiful beyond all other;
Hail and farewell, O most gracious,
Intercede for us alway to Jesus.

V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.

Let us pray: Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness: that we who celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God may, through the aid of her intercession, rise again from our sins. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Salve Regina

From First Vespers of Trinity Sunday to Advent

Mary, we hail thee, Mother and Queen compassionate; Mary, our comfort, life and hope, we hail thee. To thee we exiles, children of Eve, lift our crying. To thee we are sighing, as mournful and weeping, we pass through this vale of sorrow. Turn thou therefore, O our intercessor, those thine eyes of pity and loving-kindness upon us sinners. Hereafter, when our earthly exile shall be ended, show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb. O gentle, O tender, O gracious Virgin Mary.

or the following

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; hail, 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 vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards 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.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, who by the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary to become a habitation meet for thy Son: Grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration, we may be delivered by her loving intercession from our present evils and from eternal death. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.