The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary originated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto in Italy and became widespread among the numerous pilgrims who visited and learned to recite it. Accordingly, it is also called the Litany of Loreto.
History
The oldest written copy of the litany in existence was found in Dillingen, German in 1558. It is called ‘Letania Loretana. Ordnung der Letaney von unser lieben Frawen wie sie zu Loreto alle Samstag gehalten’ which can be translated in English as ‘The Order of the Litany of Our Lady as said every Saturday at Loreto.’
The litany was approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587.
The Litany of Loreto was introduced at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome by Cardinal Francisco Toledo in 1597.
In 1613 Pope Paul V directed that the Litany of Loreto it to be sung daily at dawn and dusk, on Saturdays and on the feast days of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. It is still sung in the majority of the churches in Rome today.
Pope Saint John Paul II added, “Mother of the Church” in 1980 and “Queen of Families” in 1995.
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary was set to music by numerous composers, most notably Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who wrote Litaniae Lauretanae KV 109 and KV 195.
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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 divine grace, 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 Savior, 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.
Amen.
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