Mary's Litany
The Loreto Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary
How do you describe a person whom you discover loves you. Words alone fail to convey one's feelings unless they are accompanied by thoughts and memories which recall events and moments in which Mary's love and protection had been present although unrecognized. Understanding of her love deepens as one "discovers" there was more than chance that we have been shielded by her tender love which actually guided us away from physical and spiritual dangers.
Why is Mary so important? It was Pope Pius IX who said, "God enriched her so wonderfully from the treasury of His divinity, far beyond all angels and saints with the abundance of all heavenly gifts, that she . . . should show forth such fullness of innocence and holiness, than which a greater under God is unthinkable and which, beside God, no one can even conceive in thought." Therefore, whatever virtue and holiness found in angels and saints must be present in Mary in an immeasurably higher degree.
Mary's august position in the order of creation is made present and real to us when we reflect upon her desire to draw all mankind to Jesus, her son by helping to prepare us in this life for the eternal life which draws ever nearer in everyone's future. We need only reflect upon past circumstances and occasions in life which evidence a loving protection and guidance, not asked for, yet without which our life direction would have followed an entirely different path. The role of Mary is one of a loving mother.
Over the years, Mary has been the object of private and public veneration and prayer, both informal and formal.
Litanies are collections of statements which identifiy the qualities or noble aspects of the person honored which are then followed by the repeated supplication, "Pray for us." Litanies have been in use throughout history. During the Middle Ages it is reported there were about eighty forms of litanies in use. At first, to prevent abuse, Pope Clement VIII in 1601, permitted only two to be used in public worship. These were the Litany of the Saints, and the Loreto Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today, the litanies approved by the Church for use in public worship are: the Litany of All Saints, the Loreto Litany, and litanies to the Holy Name, the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, and the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary is also known as the Marian Litany of Loreto; so named because of the existence in Loreto of the small stone house said to be the birthplace of Mary, and where the Archangel Gabriel announced that Mary would be the Mother of God. The home is now surrounded by a basilica which is visited by thousands of people each year.
The Litany
(The Sign of the Cross)
In the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God to Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
(Mary's holiness as a person)
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
(Mary's role as mother of Jesus Christ)
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
(Mary's vocation as virgin)
pray for
us.
(Facets of Mary's role as mother)
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of the Church,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
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 most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
(Merits and effects of Mary's virginity)
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.
(Old Testament Symbols pointing out Mary's virtues and role in salvation history)
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 honor,
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.
(Mary's assistance in carrying out corporal and spiritual works of mercy)
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
(Identify Mary's role as queen)
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 the
family,
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 Thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by
the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from
present sorrow and enjoy everlasting happiness. Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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