MIRACULOUS MIRACLES™

Prayer — Marian Prayers

Litaniae Lauretanae

Litany of Loreto

12th–14th century at the Holy House of Loreto; approved 1587 by Sixtus V

The fifty-six invocations of the Mother of God prayed in the Holy House of Loreto from the 12th century, approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587.

The Prayer
English (selected invocations) · Original
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
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.

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.

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 honor, 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.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.

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.

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.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
When the Prayer is Said

Daily during the month of May; in many parishes after the rosary; at Marian shrines and processions.

History & Background

The Litany of Loreto takes its name from the shrine of the Holy House at Loreto, in the Italian Marche — by ancient tradition the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth, miraculously transported by angels (or, by later historical accounts, by the Angeli family) from the Holy Land in 1294. The earliest manuscript of the litany is from c. 1200; by the 16th century it was the standard Marian litany of the Latin Church.

Pope Sixtus V approved it for liturgical use throughout the Western Church in 1587. Successive popes added new invocations: Mediatrix of All Graces (Benedict XV, 1917), Queen Assumed into Heaven (Pius XII, 1950), Mother of the Church (Paul VI, 1980), Mother of Mercy (Francis, 2020). The litany continues to grow as the Church discovers new aspects of Mary's mediation.

Indulgences Attached

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Litany of Loreto (Enchiridion of Indulgences, no. 22).

All Prayers