it is traditional to end the day with praise of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. traditionally, one of the following antiphons is sung or said before retiring.

advent through presentation

alma redemptoris mater
loving mother of the redeemer, who remains open,
the gate of heaven, and star of the sea, help the fallen
the people who seek to rise, you who bore
your holy creator, to the amazement of nature,
virgin first and last, from the mouth of Gabriel
taking that greeting, have mercy on us sinners

presentation through maundy thursday

ave regina caelorum
hail, queen of heaven;
hail, mistress of the angels;
hail, root of Jesus;
hail, the gate through which the light rose over the earth

rejoice, virgin most renowned
and of unsurpassed beauty
and pray for us to Christ.

easter season

regina coeli
o queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia,
for he whom you were worthy to bear, alleluia,
has arisen as he said, alleluia.
pray for us to God, alleluia.

after pentecost

salve, regina
hail, holy queen, mother of mercy
hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
to you we cry, the children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this land of exile.
turn, then, most gracious advocate
your eyes of mercy toward us;
lead us home at last
and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:
o clement, o loving, o sweet virgin Mary.

pages on christian prayer: