Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the traditional Marian litany also known as the Litany of Loreto. A litany is a structured prayer composed of short invocations spoken by a leader, followed by a shared response from those gathered. In this litany, we begin by imploring the mercy of the Holy Trinity, address the Blessed Mother under fifty titles, and repeat the humble plea, "pray for us." We conclude with the petition to the Lamb of God, asking Christ for mercy and pardon.
Its common name comes from the Holy House shrine at Loreto, Italy, where it was in use. Mary's titles point to Christ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 971). Catholics turn to this rhythmic prayer throughout the year, especially in May, the month traditionally dedicated to Mary, and after the Rosary.
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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 Ghost, 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 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 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. 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 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.
A Concluding Prayer after the Litany
Lord God, You have given us the Blessed Virgin Mary as our loving mother and an enduring pattern of faith. We have recalled her holy titles and united our voices in seeking her prayers before Your throne of grace. Look with compassion upon our humble petitions and grant us the assistance we need for our daily life of faith. By her continuous intercession, preserve our minds from discouragement, protect our households from discord, and help us walk in obedience to Your holy commandments. Direct our footsteps toward the eternal joy of heaven, where Christ lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer to Mary, Health of the Sick, for an Ailing Relative
O Blessed Virgin Mary, we come to you invoking your cherished title as Health of the Sick. We bring before you our sick relative, asking you to wrap them in your gentle maternal care and present their needs to your divine Son. When pain causes weariness and the days feel uncertain, ask the Lord to pour His peace and endurance into their heart. Strengthen all who watch over them, provide steady wisdom to their caregivers, and deepen our shared trust in God's sovereign providence. Keep our trust in You through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer to Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted, in Time of Grief
Holy Mother of God, you stood faithfully beside the cross of your Son and witnessed His bitter sorrow firsthand. Under your title Comforter of the Afflicted, we reach out to you from the midst of our bereavement and heavy loss. When sadness clouds our vision and our hearts feel exhausted, draw near to us with the comfort of Christ. Intercede for us so that bitterness may not take root in our loneliness, and we commend our loved ones to Your mercy. Help us carry our crosses with patient faith, trusting in the hope of the resurrection. Amen.
A One-Line Marian Prayer for Daily Devotion
Holy Mother of God, pray for us throughout this day that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Scripture to pray
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.— Luke 1:48 (KJV)
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.— Luke 1:42 (KJV)
Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury.— Song of Solomon 4:4 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.— John 19:26-27 (KJV)
Frequently asked questions
What are the words of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
The words of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary consist of an opening plea to the Holy Trinity, fifty invocations addressed to Mary with the response "pray for us," and three concluding petitions to the Lamb of God. Titles include Mother of Christ, Seat of wisdom, Tower of David, Health of the sick, and Queen of peace. The litany finishes with a versicle asking for Mary's prayers so that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Why is it called the Litany of Loreto?
The prayer is called the Litany of Loreto because it was in public use at the Holy House shrine located at Loreto, Italy. The name ties the prayer to that shrine.
What does "Tower of David" or "Mystical Rose" mean in the litany?
The title Tower of David echoes Song of Solomon 4:4: "Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury." Mystical Rose is a poetic title for Mary.
Do Catholics worship Mary?
No, Catholics do not worship Mary. Catholic teaching clearly distinguishes the adoration and worship due to God alone from the honour, called veneration, given to Mary and the saints. As Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 971 explains, Mary's titles point to Christ.
When do Catholics pray the Litany of Loreto?
Catholics frequently pray the Litany of Loreto after concluding the daily Rosary. It is also commonly recited throughout May, the month traditionally dedicated to Mary.
How do you pray a litany?
You pray a litany using a rhythmic call-and-response pattern between a leader and the congregation. The leader chants or recites an individual invocation, such as "Mother of divine grace," and the congregation responds together with "pray for us." When prayed privately, an individual simply reads both the invocation and the response steadily as a continuous meditation.
Is the Litany of Loreto in the Bible?
While the litany as a composed liturgical text is not found in the Bible, its core language and themes are deeply grounded in sacred Scripture. Passages such as Luke 1:42 and Luke 1:48 establish the practice of honoring Mary as blessed, while Tower of David echoes Song of Solomon 4:4. The litany gathers these scriptural threads into a single continuous prayer.