THE ANGELUS
The Angelus is a prayer in which we contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation, the event by which "the Son of God became man in order to make us God." It is a short pause in our day-to-day activity, immersing us in the intimacy of our Lady and the Blessed Trinity.
The Angelus prayer, in the form in which we know it today, was originally prayed three times a day: morning, noon and evening. Today the most widespread custom among the faithful is the midday prayer. During the Easter season (from the day on which the Resurrection is celebrated until the day of Pentecost) the Angelus prayer is replaced by the Regina Coeli prayer, which emphasizes the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
V. Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
V. Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
V. Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
REGINA CAELI
V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
R. For He Whom thou 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. Because Our Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.
LET US PRAY
O God, Who by the resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, has vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant, we beseech Thee, that, through the intersession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.