The antiphon of the penitential weeks, from 3 February to Holy Saturday.
The seasonal Marian antiphon of late winter and Lent.
When: After Night Prayer, from 3 February until Holy Saturday.
Why: Lent is stripped down and this antiphon is too. It greets Mary as the root and the gate through which light rose on the world, and it ends with one request: plead with Christ for us.
Hail, O Queen of Heaven. Hail, O Lady of the Angels. Hail, root of Jesse. Hail, the gate through which the Light rose over the earth.
Rejoice, O glorious Virgin, lovely beyond all others. Farewell, most beautiful maiden, and plead for us to Christ.