Activity I

A. Begin by writing on the board the following question: What is the purpose of singing? Ask students to provide potential answers, and write their answers on the board.

B. Then, read aloud the following two verses from Scripture: 

• “Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. For God is king over all the earth; sing hymns of praise” (Psalm 47:7–8).
• “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his marvelous deeds” (Psalm 96:1–3).

C. Explain that while there are many reasons to sing, the highest purpose is exemplified in Scripture: The entire Book of Psalms, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is a prayer to God the Father.

Warm-Up  Activity

A. Then have students read the passages in the Warm-Up activity, and either silently or in small groups answer the focus and reflection questions.

B. When they have finished, call on students or groups to share their answers as part of a class discussion on the connection between song and prayer. You may wish to share with your student's other prominent instances of sung prayer in Scripture, such as the angels singing “glory to God in the highest” at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14), Jesus singing with His Apostles at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30), Paul and Silas praying while imprisoned (Acts 16:25), and the account from Revelation of heavenly hosts singing praise to God (Revelation 15:3–4). Review and explain that our habits form us, one way or the other. Praying with and reflecting on beautiful sacred music will exercise our capacity for awe, wonder, delight in goodness and truth, and increase our desire, or appetite, for beauty itself.

Answer Key:

1. He says the singing of the Church stems from love; it is a loving response to the love that God has shown us. “The Holy Spirit is love, and it is he who produces the singing. He is the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit who draws us into love for Christ and so leads to the Father."

2. Accept reasoned answers.

3. Accept reasoned answers.

Main Activity

A. Then, have students read both the English and Latin text in the Salve Regina activity. Have them compare both texts and circle any Latin words that they can recognize in relation to the English translation. Ask students to share the words they recognize.

B. Next, create a prayerful atmosphere and play for the class the recording of the Salve Regina by Paul Jernberg (you may project the video, which includes a beautiful slideshow of sacred art portraying moments from Our Lady’s life, or just have students listen to the recording. Either way, it is recommended that you use external speakers in order for your students to experience the full effects and nuances of the recording). Ask students to follow along with the Latin text to the best of their ability as they listen to the prayer. You may wish to play it more than once. You may also wish to encourage your students to pray along with the recording.

C. Finally, have your students answer the reflection questions individually. When they have finished, call on students to share their answers, sharing your own thoughts and reflections on the piece as you work through the questions with them.

Answer Key:

1. Accept reasoned answers.

2. Accept reasoned answers. The prayer reminds us that Our Lady leads us to Christ, and reveals Him to us. She is with Christ in Heaven, and she intercedes for us. It also reminds us that we are all banished children of Eve who have been redeemed by Christ, yet are still in need of divine assistance and intercession

3. Accept reasoned answers:

• Possible climactic moments are at:
• “mater misericordiae” (mother of mercy),
• “vita dulcedo” (our life),
• “exules filii Evae” (banished children of Eve),
• “advocata nostra” (our advocate [most gracious advocate]),
• “misericordes oculos ad nos converte” (thine eyes of mercy toward us),
• “et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tuis” (and Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb),
• “O pia, O dulcis” (O loving, O sweet).

Possible tender moments are at:

• “Salve regina” (Hail [holy] queen),
• “et spes nostra salve” (and our hope),
• “in hac lacrimarum valle” (in this valley of tears),
• “nobis post hoc exsilium ostende” (show unto us [speaking of Jesus]),
• “O clemens” (O clement),
• “Virgo Maria” (Virgin Mary).

4. Accept reasoned answers.

5. Accept reasoned answers.