Litaniae Lauretanae

The Litaniae Lauretanae (or Litaniæ Lauretanæ) are a Latin prayer used in the Catholic worship of Mary, often included in the liturgy of the Rosary, and are part of the set liturgical feast of the Assumption [Feria assumptionis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ad cœlum], celebrated on August 15. The Litanies are also frequently used in May, the month traditionally dedicated to the "BMV".

The Litanies owe many of the praises to the Greek Akathist Hymn, which was first latinicized in Venice in the IX century. Other titles and praises are derived from the writings of the early Church Fathers of the first six centuries.

They were most likely composed (or codified) in the Paris region in the latter half of the XII century, and derive their traditional name from the Italian shrine of Loreto where they were informally adopted in 1558. Formal papal approval for public use was granted by Sixtus V in 1587; additions to the text have been ongoing, following proclamations of dogmas or events of particular ecclesiastical relevance in the Catholic church.

Settings by composers

• Agostino Agazzari SATB
• Johann Kaspar Aiblinger SATB
• Gregor Aichinger SST
• Franz Bühler SATB
• Robert Führer SATB
• Giovanni Gabrieli SATB.TTTB
• Alessandro Grandi SATTB
• Orlando di Lasso SATB.SATB
• Isabella Leonarda SATB with continuo
• Claudio Monteverdi SATTTB
• W. A. Mozart, both with orchestra:
  • K. 109 SATB
  • K. 195 SATB
• Franz Reisinger SATB
• Andreas Romberg SAB

Sources

Congregatio de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum. Compendium Eucharisticum. Officina libraria editoria Vaticana, 19 X 2009, ISBN-13: 978-88-209-8291-1.

Original text and translations

The full text of the Litaniæ is below as published by the Officina libraria editoria Vaticana in the two languages. For convenience of reference, the Litanies have been broken down following the division most commonly adopted by composers; it should be kept in mind, however, that this is spurious.

℣. = versiculum (versicle)

℟. = responsorium (response) - if (℟) is indicated at the end of a versicle, the last response is to be repeated.

Latin text	English translation
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie, eleison. ℟.: Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Christe, audi nos. ℟.: Christe, exaudi nos. Pater de caelis, Deus, ℟.: miserere nobis. Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, (℟) Spiritus Sancte Deus, (℟) Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, (℟)	Lord, have mercy on us. ℟.: Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. 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, (℟)
Sancta Maria
Sancta Maria, ℟.: ora pro nobis. Sancta Dei Genetrix, (℟) Sancta Virgo virginum, (℟) Mater Christi, (℟) Mater Ecclesiæ, (℟) Mater Divinæ gratiæ, (℟) Mater purissima, (℟) Mater castissima, (℟) Mater inviolata, (℟) Mater intemerata, (℟) Mater amabilis, (℟) Mater admirabilis, (℟) Mater boni Consilii, (℟) Mater Creatoris, (℟) Mater Salvatoris, (℟) Virgo prudentissima, (℟) Virgo veneranda, (℟) Virgo prædicanda, (℟) Virgo potens, (℟) Virgo clemens, (℟) Virgo fidelis, (℟) Speculum iustitiæ, (℟) Sedes sapientiæ, (℟) Causa nostræ lætitiæ, (℟) Vas spirituale, (℟) Vas honorabile, (℟) Vas insigne devotionis, (℟) Rosa mystica, (℟) Turris Davidica, (℟) Turris eburnea, (℟) Domus aurea, (℟) Fœderis arca, (℟) Ianua cæli, (℟) Stella matutina, (℟) Salus infirmorum, (℟) Refugium peccatorum, (℟) Consolatrix afflictorum, (℟) Auxilium Christianorum, (℟)	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 most admirable, (℟) Mother of good counsel, (℟) Mother of our Creator, (℟) Mother of our Savior, (℟) 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 of ivory, (℟) House of gold, (℟) Ark of the covenant, (℟) Gate of heaven, (℟) Morning star, (℟) Health of the sick, (℟) Refuge of sinners, (℟) Comforter of the afflicted, (℟) Help of Christians, (℟)
Regina Angelorum
Regina Angelorum, ℟.: ora pro nobis. Regina Patriarcharum, (℟) Regina Prophetarum, (℟) Regina Apostolorum, (℟) Regina Martyrum, (℟) Regina Confessorum, (℟) Regina Virginum, (℟) Regina Sanctorum omnium, (℟) Regina sine labe originali concepta, (℟) Regina in cælum assumpta, (℟) Regina Sanctissimi Rosarii, (℟) Regina familiæ, (℟) Regina pacis, (℟)	Queen of Angels, ℟.: pray for us. 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 the family, (℟) Queen of Peace, (℟)
Agnus Dei
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, ℟.: parce nobis, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, ℟.: exaudi nobis, Domine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, ℟.: miserere nobis.	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.
Tempore per annum (Ordinary time)
℣.: Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix, ℟.: Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus Concede nos famulos tuos, quæsumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa beatæ Mariæ semper Virginis intercessione, a præsenti liberari tristitia, et æterna perfrui lætitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. ℟.: Amen.	℣.: 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 Thy servants, may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. ℟.: Amen.
Tempore Adventus (Advent Season)
℣.: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ, ℟.: Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. Oremus Deus, qui de beatæ Mariæ Virginis utero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiante, carnem suscipere voluisti: præsta supplicibus tuis; ut, qui vere eam Genetricem Dei credimus, eius apud te intercessionibus adiuvemur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. ℟.: Amen.	℣.: The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; ℟.: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray O God, Thou hast willed that at the message of an angel Thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant to Thy suppliant people, that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through Christ our Lord. ℟.: Amen.
Tempore Nativitatis (Christmas Season)
℣.: Post partum, Virgo, inviolata permansisti, ℟.: Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis. Oremus Deus, qui salutis æternæ, beatæ Mariæ virginitate fecunda, humano generi præmia præstitisti: tribue, quæsumus; ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus Filius tuum auctorem vitæ suscipere. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculorum. ℟.: Amen.	℣.: After giving birth, O Virgin, thou remained a virgin. ℟.: Mother of God, intercede for us. Let us pray O God, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, Thou hast bestowed upon the human race the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may feel the power of her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, Thy Son. Who with Thee lives and reigns forever. ℟.: Amen.
Tempore Paschali (Easter Season)
℣.: Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, alleluia. ℟.: Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia. Oremus Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum lætificare dignatus es: præsta, quæsumus: ut, per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. ℟.: Amen.	℣.: Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. ℟.: Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beg Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.