The antiphon of exile and hope, sung from Pentecost until Advent.
One of the four seasonal Marian antiphons the Church sings at the close of the day.
When: After Night Prayer, from the Monday after Pentecost until the Saturday before Advent. It also closes the Rosary all year.
Why: It names our situation honestly, exiles in a valley of tears, and then asks Mary to turn her eyes toward us and show us Christ. It is the Church admitting she is not home yet.
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.