The Litany of Loreto

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, 
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, 
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, 
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.


Holy Mary, 
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of Mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of Hope, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Solace of Migrants, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace. pray for us.


Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, 
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, 
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, 
have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. 
Grant, we beseech thee, 
O Lord God, 
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; 
and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, 
may be delivered from present sorrow, 
and obtain eternal joy. 
Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

 

Want to know more about the Litany of Loreto?

A traditional Catholic prayer that celebrates the Virgin Mary is the Litany of Loreto. It is sometimes referred to as the "Litany of Our Lady of Loreto," and it is said to have started in the Italian town of Loreto. The litany is a collection of names and invocations made in Mary's honour, including "Queen of Heaven," "Mother of Mercy," and "Help of Christians." The litany is usually said as a single devotion or as part of the Rosary. It is regarded as a potent and profoundly spiritual prayer that brings solace and direction to those who repeat it. The repeating of the invocations in the litany is calming and grounding for many Catholics, and the litany of Loreto is a wonderful method to strengthen one's devotion to God.

 

Litany of Loreto - History of the Prayer

The Litany of Loreto is a Catholic prayer that has a long and rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It is a litany, or a series of petitions, addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to various saints, and it is traditionally associated with the town of Loreto in Italy, where a famous Marian shrine is located.

The origins of the Litany of Loreto are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to have originated in the 13th or 14th century. Some historians believe that it was originally composed in Latin and that it was inspired by the Litany of the Saints, which is a prayer that invokes the intercession of various saints. Others believe that it was a popular devotional prayer that was widely recited in Loreto and other parts of Italy.

Regardless of its exact origins, the Litany of Loreto quickly became a beloved and widely-used prayer in the Catholic Church. It was particularly popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was often used in processions and other public devotions. It was also used as a prayer of exorcism, and it was believed to have special power to ward off evil and protect believers from harm.

The Litany of Loreto is structured as a series of invocations to Mary and to various saints, each of which is followed by the phrase "pray for us." It begins with a series of invocations to Mary, including "Mother of God," "Mother of Christ," and "Mother of Divine Grace," and it concludes with a series of invocations to various saints.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Litany of Loreto fell out of favor in some parts of the Catholic Church, but it has experienced a resurgence in recent years, particularly among traditionalist Catholics and Marian devotees. It is now a popular prayer at Marian shrines and devotional events, and it is often recited in the context of other devotions, such as the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross.

Despite its long history and enduring popularity, the Litany of Loreto is not a formally approved prayer in the Catholic Church. It is considered to be a private devotion, and Catholics are not required to believe in its efficacy or to recite it as part of their spiritual practice. However, it remains a beloved and widely-used prayer among many Catholics, and it continues to be a powerful expression of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.'