Hail, Holy Queen Prayer
Hail, Holy Queen is one of the best-known Marian prayers in Christian tradition. It addresses Mary as Mother of Mercy and expresses the hope of believers who experience suffering yet desire to remain close to Jesus. It is often prayed at the end of the Rosary and can also form part of evening prayer.
Complete prayer
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
What the prayer means
Calling Mary “our hope” does not replace trust in God. It recognizes that her maternal intercession accompanies believers and directs them toward Jesus. The phrase “valley of tears” speaks honestly about human suffering, but the prayer does not end in sadness. It looks toward Christ and his promises.
The word “advocate” means intercessor, not an independent source of salvation. Mary prays for us and teaches us to trust God's mercy.
How to pray Hail, Holy Queen
Pray slowly and pause at the phrase that most closely reflects your present situation. You may offer an intention for your family, someone who is ill, or people who have lost hope. When you finish, remain silent and consider how the mercy you seek can become mercy offered to someone else.