Litanies are a form of prayer which originated in the 4th century. Though they may be recited privately, they were meant to be prayed where two or more are gathered. If a priest or deacon are not available, they may be led by any other leader. Some of them have been incorporated into the Mass, most notably the Litany of the Saints during the Easter Vigil. Today, litanies may be used in various liturgical settings and other forms of public prayer.
One of the most beautiful features of a litany is the combination of invocations alternating with petitions in a rhythmic, repetitive pattern. Through this inspirational chorus of voices reaching towards heaven, we hope to strengthen our faith and obtain the favors for which we’re praying. There are five litanies approved for public worship: the Litanies of the Sacred Heart, of the Precious Blood, of the Saints, of the Blessed Virgin, and of St. Joseph. Other litanies may be used in private devotion.
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, (Response:) have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary,
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
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 Saviour,
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.
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 eternal gladness. Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, (Response:) have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary, (Response:) pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Noble Offspring of David,
Light of Patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste Guardian of the Virgin,
Foster Father of the Son of God,
Zealous Defender of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph Most Just, (Response:) pray for us.
Joseph Most Chaste,
Joseph Most Prudent,
Joseph Most Courageous,
Joseph Most Obedient,
Joseph Most Faithful,
Mirror of Patience, (Response:) pray for us.
Lover of Poverty,
Model of Workmen,
Glory of Domestic Life,
Guardian of Virgins,
Pillar of Families,
Comfort of the Afflicted,
Hope of the Sick,
Patron of the Dying,
Terror of Demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
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.
V. He has made him lord of his household,
R. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray.
O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, (Response:) have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, (Response:) have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God,
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty,
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven,
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful,
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee,
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection,
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee,
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints,
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
R. Make our hearts like to Thine.
Let us pray:
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers Thee in the name of sinners; and to those who implore Thy mercy, in Thy great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee forever and ever.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, (Response:) Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, (Response:) Save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God,
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament,
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness.
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors,
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins,
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life,
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,
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, O Lord.
You have redeemed us, O Lord, in your Blood. And made us a kingdom for our God.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, you have appointed your only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his Blood. Grant we beg of you, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, (Response:) have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary, (Response:) pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of Virgins,
St. Michael,
St. Gabriel,
St. Raphael,
All you Holy Angels and Archangels,
St. John the Baptist,
St. Joseph,
All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Paul,
St. Andrew,
St. James,
St. John,
St. Thomas,
St. James,
St. Philip,
St. Bartholomew,
St. Matthew,
St. Simon,
St. Jude,
St. Matthias,
St. Barnabas,
St. Luke,
St. Mark,
All you Holy Apostles and Evangelists,
All you Holy Disciples of the Lord,
All you Holy Innocents,
St. Stephen, pray for us.
St. Lawrence,
St. Vincent,
St. Fabian and Sebastian,
St. John and Paul,
St. Cosmas and Damian,
All you Holy Martyrs,
St. Sylvester, pray for us.
St. Gregory,
St. Ambrose,
St. Augustine,
St. Jerome,
St. Martin,
St. Nicholas,
All you Holy Bishops and Confessors,
All you Holy Doctors,
St. Anthony, pray for us.
St. Benedict,
St. Bernard,
St. Dominic,
St. Francis,
All you Holy Priests and Levites,
All you Holy Monks and Hermits,
St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
St. Agatha,
St. Lucy,
St. Agnes,
St. Cecilia,
St. Anastasia,
St. Catherine,
St. Clare,
All you Holy Virgins and Widows,
All you Holy Saints of God,
Lord, be merciful, (Response:) Lord, save your people.
From all evil,
From all sin,
From your wrath,
From a sudden and unprovided death,
From the snares of the devil,
From anger, hatred and all ill-will,
From the spirit of uncleanness,
From lightning and tempest,
From the scourge of earthquake,
From plague, famine and war,
From everlasting death, Lord,
By the mystery of your Holy Incarnation,
By Your Coming,
By Your Birth,
By Your Baptism and Holy Fasting,
By Your Cross and Passion,
By Your Death and Burial,
By Your Holy Resurrection,
By Your wonderful Ascension,
By the coming of the Holy Spirit,
On the Day of Judgment,
Be merciful to us sinners, (Response:) Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us,
That you will pardon us,
That it may please you to bring us to true penance,
Guide and protect your holy Church,
Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all those in holy Orders,
Humble the enemies of holy Church,
Give peace and unity to the whole Christian people,
Bring back to the unity of the Church all those who are straying, and bring all unbelievers to the light of the Gospel,
Strengthen and preserve us in your holy service,
Raise our minds to desire the things of heaven,
Reward all our benefactors with eternal blessings,
Deliver our souls from eternal damnation, and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors,
Give and preserve the fruits of the earth,
Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed,
That it may please You to hear and heed us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,
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.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
God, the Father of the Lamb, have mercy on us.
God the Son, sacrificial Lamb, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Life of the Lamb, have mercy on us.
O good Jesus, Shepherd of the just, hear us.
Vigilant Finder of lost sheep, guide us.
Fervent Hope of the fallen lamb, guide us.
Constant Gatherer of a broken flock, guide us.
O good Shepherd, hear Thy sheep.
Purest Shelter of the yearning heart, feed us.
Perpetual Feast of the hungry soul, feed us.
Lasting Bread of everlasting life, feed us.
O good Shepherd, hear Thy sheep.
Patient Tamer of rebellious wills, shear us.
Loyal Teacher of all kind commands, shear us.
Tender Purger of all blemish of sin, shear us.
O good Shepherd, hear Thy sheep.
From the lures of false shepherds, hiding in Thy guise, protect us.
From the mirages of richer fields, distracting our minds, protect us.
From diseases of the soul, separating us from Thy flock, protect us.
Let us pray.
O Jesus, at once the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd of all believers, Who knows well the sheep He leads: deign to guide us, to feed us, to shear us, and to call us unto Thee, that we may delight in Thy Heavenly pasture, and praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.