Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church’s principal Marian litany, named for the shrine at Loreto.

Sung at the Holy House of Loreto since at least the sixteenth century, this is the Church’s great litany of Our Lady’s titles. Popes have added invocations over the centuries — Help of Christians after Lepanto, Queen of Peace during the First World War, and Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope and Solace of Migrants by Pope Francis in 2020.

The Litany

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.

To each of the following invocations, respond: pray for us.

Holy Mary,
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Solace of migrants,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.

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.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Closing Prayer

Grant, we beseech You, 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 enjoy eternal happiness.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

About This Litany

The titles are worth praying slowly rather than racing through. Many are drawn from Scripture — Tower of David and House of Gold from the Song of Songs, Ark of the Covenant from Exodus read in a Marian light, Gate of Heaven from Jacob’s dream. They are not compliments paid to Our Lady but claims about what God has done in her.