The Litany of the Blessed Virgin
Mary (The Litany of Loreto)
Brother John Raymond
On December 10th we honor Our Lady of Loreto. The Litany of
Loreto has its origin at the Shrine of the Holy House located in
Loreto, Italy. Tradition tells us that on May 10, 1291 the House of
the Holy Family was carried by angels from Nazareth across the
Mediterranean Sea to the hill of Tersatto in Dalmatia, Yugoslavia.
It remained there until Dec. 10, 1294 when again it was born aloft
across the Adriatric Sea to Italy. It came to rest on a spot
surrounded by laurels from which came the future name of the city -
Loreto.
This might sound like a legend to some but there is historical
evidence for this account. The size of the house, 31'3" X 13'4", is
the exact size of the foundation which remains in Nazareth!
Excavations were done under the house to show that it is supported
by no foundation. Crosses carved into stones of the house match
Crusaders' crosses found on the foundation in Nazareth. This
foundation is located in the Basilica of the Annunciation.
Among the pilgrims who have visited Loreto we can count two
hundred who are now venerable, blessed or saints. Forty Popes have
visited the Shrine.
Why was the house moved? Our Lady appeared to a hermit named Paul
of the Woods shortly after the house's arrival in Loreto and
explained that the house was moved because of the Moslem invasion of
the Holy Land which prohibited Christians from honoring it.
The Litany of Loreto appeared in 1578 for the first time in a
booklet written for pilgrims to the Holy House of Loreto. In 1587
Pope Sixtus V granted an indulgence for the recitation of the
Litany. In 1613 Pope Paul V ordered the Litany to be sung in church
on Saturdays, feasts of Our Lady and also on the vigil (evening
before) of these feasts. Most of the titles given to Our Lady in
this Litany can be found in the writings of the Fathers of the
Church before the year 700.
For more information about the Shrine of Loreto one can subscribe
to the Loreto Magazine. For subscription information write to:
Universal Congregation of the Holy House
60025 Loreto
Italy
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (The Litany of Loreto)
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 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,
Holy Virgin of Virgins, etc.
Mother of Christ,
Mother of Divine Grace,
Mother Most Pure,
Mother Most Chaste,
Mother Inviolate,
Mother Undefiled,
Mother Most Amiable,
Mother Most Admirable,
Mother of Good Counsel,
Mother of Our Creator,
Mother of Our Savior,
Mother of the Church,
Virgin Most Prudent,
Virgin Most Venerable,
Virgin Most Renowned,
Virgin Most Powerful,
Virgin Most Merciful,
Virgin Most Faithful,
Mirror of Justice,
Seat of Wisdom,
Cause of Our Joy,
Spiritual Vessel,
Vessel of Honor,
Singular Vessel of Devotion,
Mystical Rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of Ivory,
House of Gold,
Ark of the Covenant,
Gate of Heaven,
Morning Star,
Health of the Sick,
Refuge of Sinners,
Comforter of the Afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of All Saints,
Queen Conceived Without Original Sin,
Queen Assumed Into Heaven,
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary,
Queen of Peace,
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
continual 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.