Hail Holy Queen Prayer: Full Text, Meaning, and How to Pray It

Full prayer length (English): 68 words ·
Year of composition: 11th century (attributed to Hermann of Reichenau) ·
Position in daily Rosary: Final prayer after the 5 decades ·
Number of language variants known: At least 20 languages including Latin, Spanish, Malayalam ·
Common recitation context: End of Rosary, night prayers, Eucharistic adoration

Six key facts about the Hail Holy Queen prayer, from its origin to its daily use.

What is the full Hail Holy Queen prayer?

English version

The standard English text, as presented by Vatican News (the Holy See’s official news outlet), runs 68 words and opens with a direct address to Mary:

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.

The prayer uses the traditional “thee” and “thine” forms, which Catholic Answers (a lay apostolate of Catholic apologetics) notes is the standard English rendering. The phrase “valley of tears” is one of its most recognizable images.

Latin version (Salve Regina)

The original Latin incipit, preserved in monastic chant for nearly a millennium, begins:

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiæ, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevæ. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

— Preces Latinae

Why do Catholics say the Hail Holy Queen prayer?

Purpose as a concluding prayer

Catholics recite the Hail Holy Queen at the end of the Rosary as a final act of Marian devotion. The USCCB instructs that after the five decades, the Rosary concludes with this prayer, followed by a versicle and response: “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God” / “That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” The prayer expresses confidence in Mary’s role as advocate and intercessor.

Theological meaning of mercy and hope

The prayer’s imagery—”our life, our sweetness, and our hope” and “in this valley of tears”—reflects a theology of trust in Mary’s maternal care. It is a plea for mercy and a request for her intercession to lead believers to Jesus. This aligns with the Catholic Answers explanation that the Hail Holy Queen is a petition for Mary’s help in the journey of faith.

What prayer do you say after Hail Holy Queen?

The final prayers of the Rosary

After the Hail Holy Queen, the Rosary continues with a versicle and response: “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God” / “That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.” Then the concluding collect is recited: “O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.” This is followed by the Sign of the Cross.

Common variations

In some traditions, the Rosary may include additional prayers such as the Memorare or the St. Michael the Archangel prayer after the collect. The EWTN notes that the Hail Holy Queen may also be sung as the Salve Regina hymn.

How do you end the rosary?

Step-by-step conclusion

1. After completing the five decades, recite the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina).
2. Say the versicle: “Pray for us, O holy Mother of God” and the response: “That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.”
3. Recite the concluding collect (O God, whose Only Begotten Son…).
4. Make the Sign of the Cross.

This sequence is standard across USCCB and EWTN guides. Some traditions add the Litany of Loreto or Sub tuum praesidium, but the core steps remain the same.

What should Catholics do before bed?

Night prayers including the Hail Holy Queen

The Hail Holy Queen is a traditional bedtime prayer for many Catholics. It is often recited as part of Compline (night prayer) in monastic communities, and lay Catholics frequently include it in their evening devotions. The prayer’s phrase “in this valley of tears” reflects the evening theme of trust in Mary’s protection through the night.

Examination of conscience

Before bed, many Catholics also perform an examination of conscience, reviewing their day and seeking forgiveness. The Hail Holy Queen can be paired with this practice as a closing prayer. The Catholic Answers guide recommends including the Hail Holy Queen in nightly Rosary recitation, often after the final decade.

The Hail Holy Queen prayer bridges centuries and cultures, from a medieval monastery to the daily lives of lay Catholics. Its simple plea for mercy and hope continues to resonate worldwide.