The Litany of Loreto became a popular prayer of supplication especially in the time of disasters, wars, epidemics and other misfortune. People used to pray in processions to atone for sins, and for peace, and to prevent disasters. Today, the Litany is usually prayed privately, especially after the rosary.
The family Eppinger, from where our Founder, Mother Alphonse came, saw it very important to pray the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary daily. She says about it:My parents had the laudable tradition to pray the rosary and the Litany to the Blessed Virgin every evening. During working days, we prayed only the Litany and five “Our Fathers” and “Hail Marys”. I learned the words “Holy Mary, pray for us” with it, which I often repeated during the day for myself. I also often changed the words, saying: “Holy Mary, pray for me, a poor child.”
Although the titles given to Our Lady seem to spontaneously explode from the hearts of people, they still have a biblical background. Let us see some of them:
Holy Mother of God
The Angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” (Lk 1:30-31)
Mother of Christ
The Angel said to Mary, “Jesus will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, …” (Lk 1:32)
Mother of the Church
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” (Jn. 19:26-27)
Mother of our Creator
Elizabeth said to Mary, “How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Lk 1:43)
Mother of our Savior
The Angel of God said to Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:20-21)
Virgin most powerful
There was a wedding in Cana … When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” … Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water… Draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.” (Jn. 2:3-8)
Cause of our joy
Elizabeth said to Mary, “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” (Lk 1:44)
Tower of David
The Angel said to Mary, “… the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father.” (Lk 1:32)
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,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Mother of mercy,
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 honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower if ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comfort 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.
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 intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.