_The 'Regina Coeli.'_
Baronius and St. Gregory of Nyssa relate that in the year 690 the city
of Rome was in danger of becoming a desert, on account of the number
of persons who became victims to a terrible pestilence. St. Gregory,
surnamed the Great, successor to Pope Gelasius II., who had fallen a
victim to this disease, saw that all human precautions and resources
were of no avail, and he resolved to have recourse to the Mother of
God. He gave orders that the picture of the Most Holy Virgin--which is
believed to have been painted by St. Luke--should be carried in a
general procession of all the Clergy and laity, as far as Santa Maria
Maggiore. The violence of the plague was such that eighty persons
perished during the procession; but before its termination an Angel
was seen in human form above Adrian's Tower (called afterwards the
Castle of St. Angelo, in memory of this event), sheathing a sword
tinged with blood, as in the time of David; and from that moment the
pestilence completely ceased. At the same time many voices were heard
in the air, singing: _Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia; quia quem
meruisti portare, alleluia; resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia_--
'Rejoice, O Queen of Heaven, for He Whom you deserved to bear has
risen, as He said, from the grave; God be praised.' The Holy Pontiff
immediately added: _Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia_--'Pray to God for
us, God be praised.'
This having occurred at Easter, the Church from that time ordered all
the Clergy and faithful to recite this Antiphon during Paschal season.
_Prayer._--Oh! most desolate of Mothers! what a sword has pierced your
Heart! All the blows which wounded your Son Jesus fell upon you. By
His pains you were tortured, by His wounds you were torn. His last
adieu renewed all your sorrows; but when He breathed His last sigh
with what anguish was your heart oppressed, O Mother of love and of
sorrow! Obtain, I beg of you, that I may follow your example in loving
and suffering! Yes, Queen of Martyrs, let me share your martyrdom.
Love gave you the Cross, let the Cross fill my heart with love; and
if, to enable me to love, it be necessary that I suffer and die,
obtain for me this grace, that I may love all that comes to me from
God, whether it be sorrows, afflictions, or death. Amen.
_Ejaculation._--Pray for me, O Queen of Martyrs!
_Practice._--When you are tempted to complain, or to be impatient
under opposition, reflect upon Mary at the foot of the Cross.