The Litany of Loreto, full text
The leader says the first part; everyone answers with the words in bold.
- Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
- Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
- Lord, 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.
After each title of Mary, answer pray for 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. added 2020
- Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
- Mother of Hope, pray for us. added 2020
- 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 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. added 2020
- Comfort 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 takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
- Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
- Lamb of God, who takes 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.
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, that we, your servants, may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
How to pray the litany
Pray it at the end of the rosary, after the Hail, Holy Queen and before the closing prayer, or on its own at any time. In a group, one person reads each line and everyone answers. Praying alone, say both parts. It takes about five minutes.
What is the Litany of Loreto?
It takes its name from the Marian shrine of Loreto in Italy, where it was in use by the 1500s. Pope Sixtus V approved it in 1587. Over the centuries popes have added titles: St. John Paul II added “Mother of the Church” (1980) and “Queen of families” (1995).
The three titles added in 2020
On 20 June 2020 the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had added three titles: Mother of Mercy, after “Mother of the Church”; Mother of Hope, after “Mother of divine grace”; and Solace of Migrants, after “Refuge of sinners”. Older printed booklets do not have them yet.
Keep praying: how to pray the rosary, the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries, or the rosary for the dead.