Re-printed from Our Franciscan Fiat: https://ourfranciscanfiat.wordpress.com

During the Easter season, we join Catholics around the world in praying the beautiful prayer " Regina Cœli."  Although its authorship is unknown, it dates back to around the time of our founder, St. Francis (1100s), who himself had a great devotion to our Lady.

This Latin hymn, used both as the closing antiphon for night prayer, and also in place of the normal angelus, during Easter-time, can be translated:  Queen of heaven rejoice, alleluia!  For He whom you were chosen to bear, alleluia!  Has risen as He said, alleluia!  Pray for us to God, Alleluia!  Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, alleluia!  For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia!
I am fond of a hymn, "Be Joyful, Mary," which is based off this Marian antiphon.  I imagine we will sing it on some of the Saturdays during the Easter season, which lasts through Pentecost  I also enjoy singing the Latin text in concluding my night prayer.
It does strike me, though, that we should be encouraging Our Mother to rejoice; it makes me wonder what all she would have experienced that first Easter.  I certainly am glad to voice the words "Pray for us to God, alleluia" because I am in need of her motherly intercession.

There is a venerable tradition connected with this joyous anthem. It is related that a fearful pestilence raged in Rome, during one of the Easters of the pontificate of St. Gregory the Great.  In order to propitiate the anger of God, the holy Pope prescribed a public procession of both people and clergy, in which was to be carried the portrait of our blessed Lady painted by St. Luke.  The procession was advancing in the direction of St Peter’s; and as the holy picture, followed by the Pontiff, was carried along, the atmosphere became pure and free from pestilence.  Having reached the bridge which joins the city with the Vatican, a choir of angels was heard singing above the picture, and saying: ‘Rejoice, O Queen of heaven, alleluia! for He whom thou didst deserve to bear, alleluia! hath, as he said risen from the grave, alleluia!’  As soon as the heavenly music ceased, the saintly Pontiff took courage, and added these words to those of the angels: ‘Pray to God for us, alleluia!’  Thus was composed the Paschal anthem to our Lady.  Raising his eyes to heaven, Gregory saw the destroying angel standing on the top of the Mole of Hadrian, and sheathing his sword.  In memory of this apparition the Mole was called the Castle of Sant’ Angelo, and on the dome was placed an immense statue representing an angel holding his sword in the scabbard.