Litany of Loreto, approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587

Litany of Loreto, approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587

Litany of Loreto — Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sung at the end of the Rosary; with the invocations added in 1995 and 2020

LatinEnglish

Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis.
Spiritus Sancte, Deus, miserere nobis.
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis.

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.

Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis.
Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis.
Sancta Virgo virginum, ora pro nobis.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Mater Christi, ora pro nobis.
Mater Ecclesiae, ora pro nobis.
Mater misericordiae, ora pro nobis.
Mater divinae gratiae, ora pro nobis.
Mater spei, ora pro nobis.
Mater purissima, ora pro nobis.
Mater castissima, ora pro nobis.
Mater inviolata, ora pro nobis.
Mater intemerata, ora pro nobis.
Mater amabilis, ora pro nobis.
Mater admirabilis, ora pro nobis.
Mater boni consilii, ora pro nobis.
Mater Creatoris, ora pro nobis.
Mater Salvatoris, ora pro nobis.

Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of hope, 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 Saviour, pray for us.

Virgo prudentissima, ora pro nobis.
Virgo veneranda, ora pro nobis.
Virgo praedicanda, ora pro nobis.
Virgo potens, ora pro nobis.
Virgo clemens, ora pro nobis.
Virgo fidelis, ora pro nobis.

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.

Speculum iustitiae, ora pro nobis.
Sedes sapientiae, ora pro nobis.
Causa nostrae laetitiae, ora pro nobis.
Vas spirituale, ora pro nobis.
Vas honorabile, ora pro nobis.
Vas insigne devotionis, ora pro nobis.
Rosa mystica, ora pro nobis.
Turris Davidica, ora pro nobis.
Turris eburnea, ora pro nobis.
Domus aurea, ora pro nobis.
Foederis arca, ora pro nobis.
Ianua caeli, ora pro nobis.
Stella matutina, ora pro nobis.
Salus infirmorum, ora pro nobis.
Refugium peccatorum, ora pro nobis.
Solacium migrantium, ora pro nobis.
Consolatrix afflictorum, ora pro nobis.
Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro nobis.

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 honour, 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.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Solace of migrants, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.

Regina Angelorum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Patriarcharum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Prophetarum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Apostolorum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Martyrum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Confessorum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Virginum, ora pro nobis.
Regina Sanctorum omnium, ora pro nobis.
Regina sine labe originali concepta, ora pro nobis.
Regina in caelum assumpta, ora pro nobis.
Regina sacratissimi Rosarii, ora pro nobis.
Regina familiae, ora pro nobis.
Regina pacis, ora pro nobis.

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 families, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

℣. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix.
℟. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
℟. 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. Amen.

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 blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy everlasting gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SourceLitany of Loreto, approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587 · Sung at the end of the Rosary; with the invocations added in 1995 and 2020

The history of this prayer

The Litany of the Blessed Virgin takes its name from the shrine of Loreto in Italy, where it was being sung in the sixteenth century. Pope Sixtus V approved it for public use in 1587, and it has been the Marian litany of the whole Latin Church ever since: a long chain of titles of Our Lady, drawn from Scripture and the Fathers, each answered with "pray for us".

The list has grown over time. Saint John Paul II added "Mother of the Church" in 1980 and "Queen of families" in 1995. On 20 June 2020 the Congregation for Divine Worship announced three more invocations approved by Pope Francis: "Mother of mercy" (after Mother of the Church), "Mother of hope" (after Mother of divine grace) and "Solace of migrants" (after Refuge of sinners).

It is most often prayed at the end of the Rosary, in May devotions and at Benediction. Like every approved litany, it carries a partial indulgence when prayed devoutly. In Church Latin, "ae" is said like the "e" in "bed", and "c" before "e" or "i" is soft, as in "church" (caeli = CHEH-lee).

Frequently asked questions

What titles were added to the Litany of Loreto in 2020?

Mother of mercy, Mother of hope and Solace of migrants, approved by Pope Francis and announced on 20 June 2020.

When is the Litany of Loreto prayed?

At any time, but it is customary after the Rosary, during May devotions and at Benediction.

Why is it called the Litany of Loreto?

After the shrine of Loreto in Italy, where it was sung in the sixteenth century; Sixtus V approved it for the whole Church in 1587.

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