The Fraternity of Our Lady de Salve Regina


 WELCOME TO THE FRATERNITY'S PAGE ON EX FIDE'S BLOG!

This page was set up in response to interest expressed on the Ex Fide blog about the ancient Fraternity of Our Lady de Salve Regina. The Fraternity was established in the London church of S. Magnus the Martyr with the express purpose of singing the anthem of Our Lady Salve Regina daily before an image of the Blessed Virgin. Since its revival in 1922, the Fraternity has continued this witness of devotion to Our Lady both in its home-church in the City of London, and in other places where its members worship. The Fraternity is an ecumenical venture, drawing members from the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, and organises pilgrimages and services throughout the year, most notably on Our Lady's Feast Days and for the Annual Salve Requiem for deceased members.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham at S. Magnus the Martyr, the principle shrine maintained by the Fraternity

The Fraternity commits members to a simple rule of life, which includes a daily recitation of the anthem Salve Regina and prayer for the Fraternity and its members. The Fraternity maintains two shrines of Our Lady at S. Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge where devotions are observed. 

AFor further information on how to join the Fraternity, please contact the writer of this blog. You can also support the Fraternity by joining our group on Facebook.

A Brief History of the Fraternity

The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, S. Magnus the Martyr


A Fraternity was founded in 1343 for the purpose of singing the hymn Salve Regina - a practice that was repeated in a number of other churches of medieval London. Records of neighbouring churches show that they too observe this practice with entries in several wills leaving property and money for the purpose.

At St. Magnus the image took the form of the Salutation of the Virgin by the Archangel Gabriel. Subscriptions of the members were devoted towards the five candles that were burnt before the statue during the singing of the hymn. Further allotments of money were used to provide altar cloths, plate and other accessories for the maintenance of the chapel. The architect of Westminster Hall, Henry Yevele, left in his will money to maintain a lamp that was to burn perpetually in front of the statue. Yevele, who died in 1400, was buried in the nearby chapel.

At the time of the Reformation in the 16th century the Fraternity was dissolved, and not reformed again until 1922. Currently [1994] there are some fifty to sixty members. The hymn with petitioning prayers is said or sung after the Eucharist throughout the year. The Fraternity's badge is shown in the stained glass window at the East end of the North wall of the church above the reredos of the Lady Chapel altar.

Five wax candles were burnt in honour of the Five Joys of Mary: 1 The Annunciation St. Luke i, 26-38 2 The Visitation St. Luke i, 39-56 3 The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ St. Luke ii, 1-19 4 The Presentation in the Temple St. Luke ii, 22- 39 5 The Finding in the Temple St. Luke ii, 41-51 As recited in the Rosary.