The Raccolta (1857)/The "Angelus Domini", etc., or the "Regina cœli", etc.

by Sacred Congregation of Indulgences and Holy Relics

For other English-language translations of this work, see Regina Coeli and Angelus Domini.

75.

THE "ANGELUS DOMINI," ETC., OR THE "REGINA CŒLI," ETC.

The seraphic Doctor St. Bonaventura, in the General Chapter of his Order, held at Pisa in the year 1262, directed his religious to exhort the faithful to say, at the sound of the church-bell at even, three times the Ave Maria, in veneration of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God in the most pure womb of the Blessed Virgin, by the operation of the Holy Ghost. This same devotion was also introduced into the episcopal church of Saintes (the capital of Saintogne in Western France), and was approved by Pope John XXII., by a Bull dated from Avignon, Oct. 13, 1318, who granted several days of Indulgence to all who should practise it with contrition; and this grant was renewed May 7, 1327, by him in the injunction he sent to his Cardinal Vicar, to issue at even in the Holy City a signal, by the sounding of the church-bell, to remind all persons to say these three Ave Maria. See F. Theodore A Spiritu Sancto de Indulgentiis, part ii. art. iv. § v.

In later times Pope Benedict XIII. opened the treasury of the Church to bestow greater Indulgences in furtherance of this pious practice; being desirous that all the faithful, not once only but many times a day, should implore the protection of the Ever-blessed Virgin, and venerate the grand mystery of the Incarnation. Accordingly, by a universal Brief, Injuncta nobis, of Sept 14, 1724, he panted to all Christians who, at the sound of the bell, morning, noon, and even at sunset, shall say on their knees daily the Angelus Domini, etc, with three Ave Maria—

i. The Plenary Indulgence and remission of all sins, once a month, on any one day when, after Confession and Communion, they should pray for the Holy Church, &c.

ii. The Indulgence of 100 days, every time that, being truly penitent, they say the Angelus Domini, as above.

These Indulgences are not suspended in the Holy Year, as the same Pope Benedict XIII. expressly declared, Jan. 10, 1725, and as other Popes afterwards, viz. Benedict XIV., Clement XIV., and Leo XII. have declared in their respective Bulls quoted above at page 118, on the suspension of Indulgences in the Holy Year.

Afterwards Pope Benedict XIV., by a formal notice issued by his Cardinal-Vicar, published in the year 1742, April 20, confirmed the above-named Indulgences, at the same time declaring that the Angelus Domini was to be said, standing, every Sunday in the year, beginning from first Vespers, that is, Saturday evening; and that in Paschal-tide the Regina cœli &c., be said in its stead, always standing, with its proper ℣., ℟., and prayer.

Note, that those who do not know the Regina cœli may obtain the same Indulgences by saying the Angelus Domini as above.

Observe also: i. That religious of both sexes, or others who live in community, if they cannot say the Angelus Domini or Regina cœli at the sound of the bell as aforesaid, by reason of their being engaged upon some work prescribed by their rule or constitution, may obtain the above-named Indulgences, provided that immediately on the conclusion of their respective duties they say the Angelus Domini or Regina cœli. This is evident from the Papal Rescript of the S. Congr. of Indulgences of Sept. 5, 1727. And observe: ii. That all the faithful who happen to be sojourning where there is no such bell, may obtain the above-named Indulgences if, at the hours specified or thereabouts, they say the Angelus Domini or Regina cœli, according to the season. See the Rescript of Pope Pius VI. of March 18, 1781.

V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ, et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.

Ave Maria.

V. Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

Ave Maria.

V. Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis.

Ave Maria.

The following ending may he added:

V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix.

R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus.

Gratiam tuam, quæsumus Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: ut qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per Passionem ejus et Crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.

R. Amen.

TRANSLATION.

V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Ave Maria.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Ave Maria.

V. And the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us.

Ave Maria.

V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Pour down Thy grace into our souls, we beseech Thee, O Lord; that as we have known the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son by the message of an angel, so by His Passion and Cross we may come to the glory of the resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

At Paschal-tide, that is, from Holy Saturday at midday to midday on the Saturday preceding the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, inclusive, instead of the Angelus Domini the following is to he said, standing.

Regina cœli lætare. Alleluia.

Quia quem meruisti portare. Alleluia.

Resurrexit sicut dixit. Alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.

V. Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria. Alleluia.

R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere. Alleluia.

Oremus.

Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi mundum lætificare dignatus es; præsta quæsumus, ut per ejus Genitricem Virginem Mariam perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.

TRANSLATION.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice. Alleluia.

He whom thou wast made worthy to bear. Alleluia.

Hath risen as He said. Alleluia.

Pray for us to our God. Alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Mary the Virgin. Alleluia.

R. For the Lord hath risen indeed. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

God, who through the resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ hast vouchsafed to make glad the whole world; grant us, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary His Mother we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.