Contents Litaniae Lauretanae
Litany of Loreto		 BVM


The Litany of Loreto is used to honor Mary, the Mother of God. The Litany recalls Mary's unique role in our salvation history as the mother of our Savior and invokes various titles for her as a way of honoring her and reminding us of the role she has played. The Litany owes many of its praises to the Greek Akathist Hymn, which was first translated into Latin in Venice around the year 800. The other titles and praises addressed to Mary are found extensively in the writings of the early Church Fathers of the first six centuries.

Over time a number of titles for our Lady were removed and added to the Litany. Originally the Litany had fifteen additional titles, such as Our Lady of Humility, Mother of Mercy, Temple of the Spirit, Gate of Redemption, and Queen of Disciples. Recent history has seen the addition of five titles. The last four titles of the Litany which refer to the the Immaculate Conception, the Assumption, the Rosary and Mary as the Queen of Peace are of recent origin. Mother of the Church, was added by John Paul II. The last three titles to be added was done on June 20, 2020 by Pope Francis; Mother of mercy, Mother of hope, and Comfort of migrants.

Most likely the Litany was composed in or around Paris between the years 1150 and 1200. It gets its name from the Italian shrine (Loreto) where it was adopted in 1558. Pope Sixtus V approved its use in public worship in 1587. The Litany is used especially during May services, the month traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also used at Benediction and some congregations use it in the Divine Office. The Litany is approved for public use and carries a partial indulgence.

Kyrie, eleison.
R. Christe, eleison. 		Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, audi nos.
R. Christe, exaudi nos. 		Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
Pater de caelis, Deus,
R. miserere nobis. 		God the Father of heaven,
R. have mercy on us.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus,
R. miserere nobis. 		God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. have mercy on us.
Spiritus Sancte Deus,
R. miserere nobis. 		God the Holy Spirit,
R. have mercy on us.
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus,
R. miserere nobis. 		Holy Trinity, one God,
R. have mercy on us.
Sancta Maria,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Holy Mary,
R. pray for us.
Sancta Dei Genetrix,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Holy Mother of God,
R. pray for us.
Sancta Virgo virginum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Holy Virgin of virgins,
R. pray for us.
Mater Christi,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of Christ,
R. pray for us.
Mater Ecclesiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of the Church,
R. pray for us.
Mater Misericordiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of mercy,
R. pray for us.
Mater Divinae gratiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of divine grace,
R. pray for us.
Mater spei,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of hope,
R. pray for us.
Mater purissima,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother most pure,
R. pray for us.
Mater castissima,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother most chaste,
R. pray for us.
Mater inviolata,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother inviolate,
R. pray for us.
Mater intemerata,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother undefiled,
R. pray for us.
Mater amabilis,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother most amiable,
R. pray for us.
Mater admirabilis,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother most admirable,
R. pray for us.
Mater boni Consilii,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of good counsel,
R. pray for us.
Mater Creatoris,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of our Creator,
R. pray for us.
Mater Salvatoris,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mother of our Savior,
R. pray for us.
Virgo prudentissima,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Virgin most prudent,
R. pray for us.
Virgo veneranda,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Virgin most venerable,
R. pray for us.
Virgo praedicanda,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Virgin most renowned,
R. pray for us.
Virgo potens,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Virgin most powerful,
R. pray for us.
Virgo clemens,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Virgin most merciful,
R. pray for us.
Virgo fidelis,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Virgin most faithful,
R. pray for us.
Speculum iustitiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mirror of justice,
R. pray for us.
Sedes sapientiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Seat of wisdom,
R. pray for us.
Causa nostrae laetitiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Cause of our joy,
R. pray for us.
Vas spirituale,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Spiritual vessel,
R. pray for us.
Vas honorabile,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Vessel of honor,
R. pray for us.
Vas insigne devotionis,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Singular vessel of devotion,
R. pray for us.
Rosa mystica,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Mystical rose,
R. pray for us.
Turris Davidica,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Tower of David,
R. pray for us.
Turris eburnea,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Tower of ivory,
R. pray for us.
Domus aurea,
R. ora pro nobis. 		House of gold,
R. pray for us.
Foederis arca,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Ark of the covenant,
R. pray for us.
Ianua caeli,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Gate of heaven,
R. pray for us.
Stella matutina,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Morning star,
R. pray for us.
Salus infirmorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Health of the sick,
R. pray for us.
Refugium peccatorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Refuge of sinners,
R. pray for us.
Solacium migrantium,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Comfort of migrants,
R. pray for us.
Consolatrix afflictorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Comforter of the afflicted,
R. pray for us.
Auxilium Christianorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Help of Christians,
R. pray for us.
Regina Angelorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Angels,
R. pray for us.
Regina Patriarcharum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Patriarchs,
R. pray for us.
Regina Prophetarum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Prophets,
R. pray for us.
Regina Apostolorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Apostles,
R. pray for us.
Regina Martyrum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Martyrs,
R. pray for us.
Regina Confessorum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Confessors,
R. pray for us.
Regina Virginum,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Virgins,
R. pray for us.
Regina Sanctorum omnium,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of all Saints,
R. pray for us.
Regina sine labe originali concepta,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen conceived without original sin,
R. pray for us.
Regina in caelum assumpta,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen assumed into heaven,
R. pray for us.
Regina Sacratissimi Rosarii,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of the most holy Rosary,
R. pray for us.
Regina familiae,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of the family,
R. pray for us.
Regina pacis,
R. ora pro nobis. 		Queen of Peace,
R. pray for us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. parce nobis, Domine. 		Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. exaudi nos, Domine. 		Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,
R. miserere nobis. 		Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us.
V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix,
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. 		V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Oremus
Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa beatae Mariae semper Virginis intercessione, a praesenti liberari tristitia, et aeterna perfrui laetitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen. 		Let us pray
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy servants, may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Tempore Adventus: Advent Season
V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae,
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. 		V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary;
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Oremus
Deus, qui de beatae Mariae Virginis utero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiante, carnem suscipere voluisti: praesta supplicibus tuis; ut, qui vere eam Genetricem Dei credimus, eius apud te intercessionibus adiuvemur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen. 		Let us pray
O God, Thou hast willed that at the message of an angel Thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to Thy suppliant people, that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Tempore Nativitatis: Christmas Season
V. Post partum, Virgo, inviolata permansisti,
R. Dei Genetrix, intercede pro nobis. 		V. After giving birth, O Virgin, thou remained a virgin.
R. Mother of God, intercede for us.
Oremus
Deus, qui salutis aeternae, beatae Mariae virginitate fecunda, humano generi praemia praestitisti: tribue, quaesumus; ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus Filium tuum auctorem vitae suscipere. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen. 		Let us pray
O God, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, Thou hast bestowed upon the human race the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may feel the power of her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, Thy Son. Who with Thee lives and reigns forever.
R. Amen.
Tempore Paschali: Easter Season
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. 		V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
Oremus
Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus: ut, per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen. 		Let us pray
O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beg Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.


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