An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Regina Coeli

Latin for “Queen of Heaven,” the phrase refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Regina Coeli is also the beginning of a devotion, common in some Anglo-catholic circles, used during the Easter season in place of the Angelus. The customary bell-ringing sequence for Regina Coeli, at morning, noon, and evening, consists of four sets of two strokes, with pauses between each set, followed by eight peals. The Regina Coeli begins “O Queen of heaven, be joyful, alleluia; Because he whom so meetly thou barest, alleluia, Hath arisen, as he promised, alleluia; Pray for us to the Father, alleluia.”

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.