The Raccolta (1857)/The Litanies

by Sacred Congregation of Indulgences and Holy Relics

For other English-language translations of this work, see Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

74.

THE LITANIES.

The Litanies commonly called "Litanies of our Lady" received the name of Litanies of Loretto in the Constitutions of several Sovereign Pontiffs—viz. Reddituri, of Sixtus V., July 11, 1687; Sanctissimus, of Clement VIII., Sept. 6, 1601; and In supremo, of Alexander VII., May 28, 1664—by reason of their being sung with great solemnity every Saturday in the Holy House of Loretto. They are made up of humble supplications and devout prayers to Almighty God (for this is the meaning of the word "Litanies"), offered up through the intervention of our Blessed Lady, whose most sacred person is especially honoured by the application to her of the mystic figures, high titles of honour, and glorious appellations whereby she is invoked in them. That these litanies might always, when said by the faithful—in church in public, or at home in private—remain word for word exactly as they have been handed down to us from ancient tradition, Pope Alexander VII., in the Constitution above named, strictly forbade the making of any alteration in them.

That the faithful might the more frequently have recourse to the intercession of most holy Mary in their behalf with Almighty God, doing her honour at the same time, Pope Sixtus V., in the above-named. Constitution, granted—

i. The Indulgence of 200 days, every time these Litanies are said with devotion and contrition.

Pope Benedict XIII., hy a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, Jan. 12, 1728, confirmed this Indulgence; and Pope Pius VII., whilst also confirming it afresh by a decree of the same S. Congr. of Sept. 30, 1817, extended it to 300 days.

He granted, moreover, to all who say them daily—

ii. The Plenary Indulgence on the five Feasts of Obligation of our Blessed Lady, according to the Roman Calendar, viz. the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity, the Annunciation, the Purification, and the Assumption, on condition that, being truly contrite for their sins, having Confessed and Communicated, they visit a public church and pray according to the intention of the Pope.

LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN;

Commonly called the Litany of Loretto.

Kyrie eleison.	Lord have mercy.
Kyrie eleison.	Lord have mercy.
Christe eleison.	Christ have mercy.
Christe eleison.	Christ have mercy.
Kyrie eleison.	Lord have mercy.
Kyrie eleison.	Lord have mercy.
Christe audi nos.	Christ hear us.
Christe exaudi nos.	Christ graciously hear us.
Pater de cœlis Deus, Miserere nobis.	God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us.
Fili Redemptor mundi Deus,	God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Spiritus Sancte Deus,	God the Holy Ghost,
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus,	Holy Trinity, one God,
Sancta Maria,	Holy Mary,
Sancta Dei Genitrix,	Holy Mother of God,
Sancta Virgo Virginum,	Holy Virgin of Virgins,
Mater Christi,	Mother of Christ,
Mater divinæ gratiæ,	Mother of divine grace.
Mater purissima,	Mother most pure,
Mater castissima,	Mother most chaste.
Mater inviolata,	Mother inviolate,
Mater intemerata,	Mother undefiled.
Mater amabilis,	Mother most amiable.
Mater admirabilis,	Mother most admirable,
Mater Creatoris,	Mother of our Creator,
Mater Salvatoris,	Mother of our Saviour,
Virgo prudentissima,	Virgin most prudent,
Virgo veneranda,	Virgin most venerable,
Virgo prædicanda,	Virgin most renowned,
Virgo potens,	Virgin most powerful,
Virgo clemens,	Virgin most merciful,
Virgo fidelis,	Virgin most faithful,
Speculum justitiæ,	Mirror of justice.
Sedes sapientiæ,	Seat of Wisdom,
Causa nostræ lætitiæ,	Cause of our joy,
Vas spirituale,	Spiritual Vessel,
Vas honorabile,	Vessel of honour,
Vas insigne devotionis,	Singular Vessel of devotion.
Rosa mystica,	Mystical Rose,
Turris Davidica,	Tower of David,
Turris eburnea,	Tower of ivory.
Domus aurea,	House of gold,
Fœderis arca,	Ark of the covenant,
Janua cœli,	Gate of heaven,
Stella matutina,	Morning star.
Salus infirmorum,	Health of the sick,
Refugium peccatorum,	Refuge of sinners,
Consolatrix afflictorum,	Comforter of the afflicted,
Auxilium Christianorum,	Help of Christians,
Regina Angelorum,	Queen of Angels,
Regina Patriarchamm,	Queen of Patriarchs,
Regina Prophetarum,	Queen of Prophets,
Regina Apostolorum,	Queen of Apostles,
Regina Martyrum,	Queen of Martyrs,
Regina Confessorum,	Queen of Confessors,
Regina Virginum,	Queen of Virgins,
Regina Sanctorum omnium,	Queen of all Saints,
Regina sine labe originali concepta,	Queen conceived without original sin,
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,	Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Parce nobis, Domine.	Spare us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,	Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Exaudi nos, Domine.	Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,	Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
Miserere nobis.	Have mercy on us.
Christe audi nos.	Christ hear us.
Christe exaudi nos.	Christ graciously hear us.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.	V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.	R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Oremus.	Let us pray.
Gratiam tuam, quæsumus Domine, mentibus nostris infunde: ut qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per Passionem ✠ ejus et Crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.	Pour down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our souls; that as we have known the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son by the message of an angel, so by His Passion ✠ and Cross we may be brought to the glory of the resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.
V. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum.	V. May the divine assistance remain always with us.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.