Salve Regina - Solemn Melody

Chanted by Harpa Dei - The famous Marian antiphon "Salve Regina" has a special place in Catholic devotion. In every monastery the monks end their day by addressing the "Mother of Mercy" to implore her maternal protection on their pilgrimage through "this valley of tears". On solemn occasions, precisely this melody, which we use in our video, resounds, while the simple version, which is more widespread in the Catholic world, is sung on ordinary days. This simple version can also be found on our channel:

It is said that this antiphon was composed at the beginning of the last millennium by a Benedictine monk, named Hermann the Lame, who, despite suffering from almost total paralysis, had a lively intelligence and a deep piety. Already at the age of seven, his parents (who were the Dukes of Altshausen) took him to Reichenau Abbey to be formed as a monk. One tradition has it that the Virgin appeared to him and asked him: "What do you wish for me to give you: health or wisdom?" He, without hesitation, chose wisdom. This divine gift certainly inspired his poetic and spiritual compositions, as well as the vast scientific work that Hermann developed as a pioneer.

With this hymn we wish to join in the age-old invocation to Our Queen, placing these particular intentions in her hands:
1) For the eternal rest of the poor souls in purgatory.
2) For the situation of the Catholic Church.
3) Our personal intentions.

The prayer in English

Hail, Queen, merciful mother
our life, sweetness and hope, hail.
to you we cry, exiled children of Eve,
to you we sigh, mourning and weeping
in this valley of tears.

Come, therefore, our advocate, place your
merciful eyes upon us;
And Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb
show (him) to us after this exile.
O lenient, o pious, o sweet Virgin Mary.