Your free Regina Coeli printable is waiting at the bottom of this post!
Did you know that during Eastertide the Catholic Church replaces the Angelus with a special prayer to Our Lady? From Easter Sunday all the way until Pentecost, Catholics around the world pray the Regina Coeli — the Queen of Heaven — three times a day in place of the Angelus. It is one of the most joyful Marian prayers in the entire Catholic tradition, and a beautiful one to teach your children this Easter season.
What Is the Regina Coeli?
The Regina Coeli means “Queen of Heaven” in Latin. It is an ancient antiphon (a short prayer sung or recited) addressed to the Virgin Mary during the Easter season.
The prayer celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus and invites Mary to rejoice with the whole Church because her Son has risen from the dead, just as He promised.
The Regina Coeli has been part of Catholic tradition since at least the 12th century. According to a beautiful legend, Pope Gregory the Great heard angels singing this prayer in Rome during a plague — and when he joined in, the plague ended.
When Is the Regina Coeli Prayed?
The Regina Coeli replaces the Angelus during Eastertide — the 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.
- Starts: Easter Sunday — April 5, 2026
- Ends: Pentecost Sunday — June 8, 2026 (the day after, the Angelus resumes)
Traditionally it is prayed three times a day — morning (6AM), noon (12PM) and evening (6PM) — just like the Angelus. Many families pray it once a day together, usually at noon or in the evening.
The Regina Coeli Prayer in English
V/. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
R/. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
V/. Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
R/. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V/. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R/. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
What Does the Regina Coeli Mean?
The prayer has four short verses — each one ending with “alleluia” — the great Easter word of joy that the Church sings throughout Eastertide.
“Queen of Heaven, rejoice” We invite Mary to rejoice with us. She is called Queen of Heaven because after her Assumption she was crowned by her Son as Queen of all creation.
“For He whom you did merit to bear” This refers to Jesus — the one Mary carried in her womb. She merited to be His mother through her perfect faith and her yes to God at the Annunciation.
“Has risen, as He said” The heart of the prayer — Jesus is risen! He promised He would rise on the third day, and He kept that promise. This is why we rejoice.
“Pray for us to God” We ask Mary to intercede for us with her Son. As our mother in faith, she brings our prayers to Jesus.
How to Teach the Regina Coeli to Kids
The Regina Coeli is short enough for even young children to learn by heart — especially if you pray it together every day during Easter. Here are a few simple ways to introduce it:
- Print and display it — put the printable on your fridge or in your prayer corner so the whole family can see it
- Pray it together at dinner — Easter is 50 days long, plenty of time for it to become natural and familiar
- Make it a family tradition — children who grow up praying the Regina Coeli every Easter carry it with them for life
Free Regina Coeli Printable for Kids
Download your free Regina Coeli printable below, perfect for your prayer corner, fridge, or family prayer time during Easter!
In the PDF below you’ll find 2 version: a full page one and prayer cards to cut and carry with you everywhere!
Click here to download your Regina Coeli printable – full page
Click here to download your Regina Coeli printable – prayer cards
