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.
For centuries it has been the
practice of monks to chant the Salve Regina at the conclusion of Compline just before they retire. We are told that the Cistercians have chanted
the Salve Regina daily since 1218.
We trust in Mary's care and intercession for us, we belong to
her. Today we celebrate her as queen of heaven and earth, our path and
gateway to all that her Son is for us.