Meditation with music for the First Sunday of the Passion:
The Marian antiphon used from the Presentation of the Lord to Wednesday of Holy Week
Hail, Queen of Heaven, hail, Lady of Angels:
Salve, radix, salve, porta ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Hail, root, hail, gate from whom light has arisen unto the world:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, super omnes speciosa,
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin, beautiful above all others,
Vale, o valde decora, et pro nobis Christum exora.
Farewell, O exceedingly honored, and beseech Christ on our behalf.
Ave, Regina Caelorum originated as a processional antiphon, and- despite its use during the solemn season of Lent, solemnity reflected in the contrition of the closing prayer- it repeatedly greets Mary in words that echo joy and confidence in her intercession. Mary is queen, lady, root, door; these words recall associated biblical allusions used in the ancient Eastern hymn, the Akathist. She is greeted with words of increasing intensity, words which our English translation does not sufficiently render: ave, salve, gaude, valde. These are forms of greeting that show an increase of intensity and regard.
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