The Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic
1907–1914
“Of unknown authorship, the anthem has been traced back to the twelfth century. It was in Franciscan use, after Compline, in the first half of the following century.”
Marian antiphon
Regina Caeli — Queen of Heaven
The Eastertide antiphon of Our Lady — 'Queen of heaven, rejoice' — of unknown twelfth-century origin, which takes the place of the Angelus through the fifty days of Easter, sung standing in joy of the Resurrection.
The prayer
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia: For he whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia, Hath risen as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. For the Lord hath risen indeed, alleluia.
Where it comes from
The dated sources the library holds, oldest first — in their own words.
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600
The legend of St. Gregory and the angels
By pious legend, St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) heard the first three lines chanted by angels one Easter morning in Rome, as he walked barefoot in a great religious procession, and added the fourth line himself: "Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia." The Catholic Encyclopedia records this as legend; the true authorship is unknown.
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1,600
The anthem of Eastertide
Through the fifty days of Eastertide — from Compline of Holy Saturday until the Saturday after Pentecost — the Regina Caeli takes the place of the Angelus; in choir it is sung standing, in joy of the Resurrection.
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1,913