Litany of the Saints
The Litany of the Saints joins the prayers of the Church on earth with the saints who already share the glory of Heaven. Through its solemn petitions, Catholics ask God for mercy, protection, and grace while calling upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, and the saints to pray for them. This ancient prayer reminds the faithful that they never walk alone, but remain united with the whole Communion of Saints in Christ.
What Is the Litany to the Saints?
The Litany of the Saints is an ancient Catholic prayer in which the Church calls upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, and the saints to intercede before God. It begins by asking the Holy Trinity for mercy, then names saints from many ages of the Church and repeats the response, “Pray for us.” The prayer continues with petitions asking Christ to deliver His people from sin, evil, suffering, and eternal death.
This litany gives visible expression to the Communion of Saints. Catholics on earth do not pray apart from the Church in Heaven, but join their needs to the prayers of those who have already completed the journey of faith. The saints do not replace Jesus Christ or act apart from Him. They pray with the Church and for the Church, while every petition and hope is directed toward the mercy and saving power of God.
Litany to the Saints — Full Prayer
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, 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.
St. Michael, pray for us.
St. Gabriel, pray for us.
St. Raphael, pray for us.
All you holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
All you holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Paul, pray for us.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
St. James, pray for us.
St. John, pray for us.
St. Thomas, pray for us.
St. James, pray for us.
St. Philip, pray for us.
St. Bartholomew, pray for us.
St. Matthew, pray for us.
St. Simon, pray for us.
St. Jude, pray for us.
St. Matthias, pray for us.
St. Barnabas, pray for us.
St. Luke, pray for us.
St. Mark, pray for us.
All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All you holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for us.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
St. Lawrence, pray for us.
St. Vincent, pray for us.
All you holy Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Sylvester, pray for us.
St. Gregory, pray for us.
St. Ambrose, pray for us.
St. Augustine, pray for us.
St. Jerome, pray for us.
St. Martin, pray for us.
St. Nicholas, pray for us.
All you holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
All you holy Doctors, pray for us.
St. Anthony, pray for us.
St. Benedict, pray for us.
St. Bernard, pray for us.
St. Dominic, pray for us.
St. Francis, pray for us.
All you holy Priests and Levites, pray for us.
All you holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
St. Agatha, pray for us.
St. Lucy, pray for us.
St. Agnes, pray for us.
St. Cecilia, pray for us.
St. Catherine, pray for us.
St. Anastasia, pray for us.
All you holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us.
All you Saints of God, make intercession for us.
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil, deliver us, O Lord.
From all sin, deliver us, O Lord.
From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Lord.
From sudden and unprovided death, deliver us, O Lord.
From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.
From anger, and hatred, and all ill will, deliver us, O Lord.
From the spirit of fornication, deliver us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest, deliver us, O Lord.
From the scourge of earthquake, deliver us, O Lord.
From plague, famine, and war, deliver us, O Lord.
From everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord.
By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy coming, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy Nativity, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy Baptism and holy fasting, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy Cross and Passion, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy Death and Burial, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy holy Resurrection, deliver us, O Lord.
By Thy admirable Ascension, deliver us, O Lord.
By the coming of the Holy Ghost, deliver us, O Lord.
In the day of judgment, deliver us, O Lord.
We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst govern and preserve Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst preserve our Apostolic Prelate and all orders of the Church in holy religion, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst humble the enemies of Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant peace and unity to the whole Christian world, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst restore to the unity of the Church all who have strayed from the truth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst lead all unbelievers to the light of the Gospel, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, from eternal damnation, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear 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.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Meaning of the Litany to the Saints
The Litany of the Saints unfolds as a prayerful journey through the whole mystery of salvation. It begins by turning directly to God for mercy, then calls upon the Church in Heaven for prayer. It continues with pleas for deliverance, recalls the saving works of Jesus Christ, and ends by placing the needs of the Church and the faithful before God.
Each part has its own purpose, yet all the parts belong together. The litany teaches that every grace comes from God through Christ, while the saints stand beside the faithful as members of His one Mystical Body. Their lives bear witness to the power of grace, and their prayers help the Church on earth remain faithful to the Lord.
Opening Invocations
The Litany of the Saints begins with a direct appeal for divine mercy: “Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.” These words place the soul before God with humility and trust. Before asking for any special favor, the faithful first admit their need for mercy, forgiveness, and help.
The prayer then addresses the Persons of the Holy Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost are each invoked, while the response remains a plea for mercy. This opening makes clear that the litany is directed first and above all to God, the source of every grace and the end of every Christian prayer.
Invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels, and the Saints
After calling upon God, the litany turns to the members of the Church who already rejoice in Heaven. The Blessed Virgin Mary is invoked first because she is the Mother of God and the highest of all created persons. The angels are then called upon as faithful servants of God who worship Him and carry out His will.
The saints are asked to “pray for us.” This response is not a request for the saints to act apart from God. It asks them to join their prayers to those of the Church on earth. Since they live with Christ and behold Him in glory, they continue to love the members of His Body who are still making their earthly pilgrimage.
Holy Patriarchs and Prophets
The patriarchs and prophets prepared the way for the coming of Christ. The patriarchs received God’s promises and helped form the people from whom the Savior would be born. The prophets called Israel back to faithfulness and announced the coming Messiah.
Their place in the litany shows that salvation history did not begin with the New Testament. God prepared His people across many centuries, guiding them toward the fullness of revelation in Jesus Christ, by asking these holy men to pray for the Church, so that the faithful would honor their trust in God’s promises and their hope in the Redeemer who was to come.
Holy Apostles and Disciples
Christ chose the Apostles to remain with Him, hear His teaching, witness His Resurrection, and carry the Gospel to the nations. They became the first shepherds of the Church and the foundation of her visible mission. The disciples also followed Christ and helped spread the faith through their preaching, service, and witness.
Invoking the Apostles and disciples reminds Catholics that the faith has been handed down through living witnesses. The Church does not follow a message invented in later centuries. She continues in the teaching, worship, and fellowship received from those who knew Christ and were sent by Him.
Holy Martyrs
The martyrs gave the highest witness of faith by surrendering their lives rather than denying Jesus Christ. Some suffered during the earliest Roman persecutions, while others died in later ages and distant lands. Though their times and trials differed, each martyr chose fidelity to Christ over safety, honor, or earthly life.
Their presence in the litany strengthens Christians who face fear, pressure, or persecution. The martyrs show that the grace of God can sustain a person through even the greatest trial. When the Church asks them to pray for her, she also asks for the courage to remain faithful when discipleship carries a high cost.
Holy Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Holy bishops served the Church as successors of the Apostles. They guarded the faith, taught the Gospel, celebrated the sacraments, and cared for the people entrusted to them. Many defended Catholic truth during times of heresy, confusion, and persecution.
The Doctors of the Church are saints whose teaching has been recognized for its lasting value to the whole Church. Their writings help Catholics understand Scripture, doctrine, prayer, and the Christian life. By invoking holy bishops and doctors, the litany asks that the Church’s shepherds and teachers may remain faithful, wise, and courageous.
Holy Priests and Religious
Holy priests shared in the ministry of Christ through preaching, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, forgiving sins in the Sacrament of Penance, and caring for souls. Their lives show the beauty of priestly service when it is offered with faith, purity, and love.
Holy monks, nuns, friars, sisters, and other religious gave themselves to God through lives of prayer, sacrifice, work, and charity. Their vows bear witness that God alone can satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart. The Church invokes these saints while praying for holiness among priests and religious and for new vocations to serve Christ.
Holy Laymen and Women
Holiness is not limited to priests, bishops, or members of religious orders. The litany also honors faithful laymen and women who served God through marriage, family life, work, charity, public duty, and quiet sacrifice. Some were rulers or scholars, while others lived simple lives known only to their families and neighbors.
These saints show that every baptized person is called to holiness. A Catholic does not need to leave ordinary life to belong wholly to God. Daily duties, family trials, acts of mercy, and faithful prayer can become a path to sanctity when they are united with Christ and offered in love.
Petitions for Deliverance
After invoking the saints, the litany turns again to Christ with the response, “Lord, deliver us.” The Church asks to be freed from evil, sin, temptation, sudden death, and the danger of losing eternal life. These petitions recognize that human strength alone cannot overcome the powers that threaten the soul.
Deliverance means more than escape from earthly pain. The greatest danger is separation from God through grave sin and final refusal of His mercy. The faithful therefore ask Christ to guard them in this life, strengthen them at the hour of death, and lead them safely into eternal life.
Petitions Through the Saving Mysteries of Christ
The litany appeals to the saving events of the life of Jesus. His Incarnation, birth, Baptism, fasting, Passion, Cross, death, burial, Resurrection, Ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost are recalled as the great works through which mankind has been redeemed.
These petitions do not merely recall events from the past. The mysteries of Christ remain the living foundation of Christian hope—the faithful appeal to what Jesus has done because His sacrifice has conquered sin and death. Every plea for mercy rests upon His saving work and His eternal love for His people.
Final Supplications
The final supplications place the needs of the Church and the human family before God. The petitions may include prayers for the pope, bishops, priests, civil leaders, Christian unity, peace, those who suffer, and all who need divine help. The response, “We beseech Thee, hear us,” expresses humble confidence that God listens to His people.
This part of the litany broadens the prayer beyond personal needs. Catholics pray as members of one Church and carry the needs of others before God. The suffering, the poor, the troubled, the dying, and those far from the faith are remembered within the prayer of the whole Christian family.
Closing Prayer
The closing prayer gathers the petitions of the litany and places them before God through Jesus Christ. Its wording may differ according to the rite, celebration, or occasion in which the litany is prayed. In every case, it brings the prayer to its proper end by entrusting all needs to God’s mercy and providence.
The litany ends as it began—with trust in the Lord. The saints have been asked to intercede, the needs of the Church have been named, and the saving mysteries of Christ have been recalled. The faithful then rest their hope in God, confident that He hears every prayer offered in faith through His Son.
How to Pray the Litany to the Saints
The Litany of the Saints may be prayed in the Church’s public worship or as a private devotion. Its repeated responses allow the faithful to enter a steady rhythm of prayer, calling upon God for mercy and asking the saints to intercede for the needs of the Church and the human family.
Before beginning, the person praying should become quiet, place himself in the presence of God, and bring the intention of the prayer to mind. The words should be spoken slowly enough to be understood and offered with faith. The value of the litany does not come from speed or from repeating many names, but from turning to God with humility while praying in union with the saints in Heaven.
Praying the Litany Alone
When the Litany of the Saints is prayed alone, one person recites both the invocations and the responses. A short pause may be made between each invocation and its answer so that the words do not become rushed. The person may pray aloud or silently, according to the setting and personal need.
There is no required posture for private prayer. The litany may be prayed while kneeling, standing, or sitting with due reverence. A crucifix, sacred image, or lighted candle may help create a prayerful setting, but none of these is needed for the prayer to be heard. What matters is a sincere heart that seeks God’s mercy and trusts in the prayers of the saints.
Praying alone does not mean praying apart from the Church. The Catholic who recites the litany privately joins a prayer that belongs to the wider Christian family. The names of the saints remind him that countless faithful souls have followed Christ before him and now pray for those who still struggle on earth.
Praying the Litany in a Group
When the litany is prayed in a group, one person ordinarily serves as the leader and recites each invocation. The others answer with the proper response, such as “Have mercy on us,” “Pray for us,” “Deliver us, O Lord,” or “We beseech Thee, hear us.” This pattern allows the whole group to take an active part in the prayer.
The leader should pray at a calm and even pace, leaving enough time for everyone to answer together. The responses should be clear and unhurried. When the litany is prayed well, the voices of the group form one united plea before God rather than a collection of separate private prayers.
In a family, prayer group, parish gathering, or at the bedside of someone in need, the litany can express a shared act of faith. Each person brings their own needs, yet all pray with one voice. This unity reflects the Communion of Saints, in which the faithful on earth and the saints in Heaven remain joined in Christ.
When the litany is used within an official rite of the Church, the directions given in that rite should be followed. The priest, deacon, cantor, or another appointed minister leads the invocations, while the congregation gives the responses.
Choosing an Intention for the Litany
The Litany of the Saints may be offered for the needs of the Church, for another person, or for a personal intention. It may be prayed for healing, conversion, protection from evil, peace within a family, guidance in an important choice, strength during temptation, or perseverance through suffering. It may also be offered for the dying and for the faithful departed.
The intention may be named quietly before the litany begins. A simple prayer is enough: “Lord, this litany is offered for…” The person may then state the need and entrust it to God. There is no need to explain every detail, for the Lord already knows the heart and understands what is needed.
An intention should be placed before God with trust rather than treated as a demand. Catholic prayer always leaves the answer in the hands of divine wisdom. The faithful may ask boldly for what seems good while also praying that God’s will be done. Through the intercession of the saints, the intention is joined to the prayer of the whole Church and offered through Jesus Christ.
Why Catholics Ask the Saints to Pray for Them
Catholics ask the saints to pray for them because all who belong to Christ remain joined in His one Church. Death does not cut the saints off from Christ or from the other members of His Mystical Body. They live with God in Heaven and continue to care for their brothers and sisters who are still making their way through this life.
Asking for a saint’s prayers is much like asking a faithful Christian on earth to pray for a need, but the saints now stand in the presence of God. Their intercession does not replace prayer to God. It joins the prayers of the Church on earth to the worship and prayer of the Church in Heaven.
Christ Is the One Mediator
Jesus Christ is the one Mediator between God and mankind. Sacred Scripture declares, “For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Only Christ reconciles fallen humanity to the Father through His Incarnation, Passion, death, and Resurrection.
The prayers of the saints do not compete with this unique mediation. They depend upon it. Every grace comes through Christ, and every prayer offered by a saint has power only because that saint lives in Him.
Christ’s role as the one Mediator does not prevent Christians from praying for one another. Saint Paul often asked others to pray for him, and Catholics still ask family members, priests, and friends for their prayers. The saints in Heaven intercede in the same Christian spirit, sharing in Christ’s care for His people without taking His place.
The Saints Pray With the Church
The saints do not stand apart from the Church. They are members of the Church who have completed their earthly journey and now live in the presence of God. Their love has been purified and brought to perfection, so they continue to pray for the needs of Christ’s Body on earth.
Scripture teaches, “Pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much” (James 5:16). If the prayer of a holy person on earth is powerful, the prayers of the saints who live with Christ are not made useless by death.
The Book of Revelation presents the prayers of the faithful being offered before God in Heaven. The saints do not act as distant figures who have forgotten earthly suffering. They worship God, share in His love, and bring the prayers of His people before Him.
When Catholics say, “Saint Peter, pray for us,” or “Saint Thérèse, pray for us,” they are asking another member of Christ’s Church to join them in prayer. Both the person on earth and the saint in Heaven turn together toward God.
The Communion of Saints
The Communion of Saints is the spiritual union of all who belong to Christ. It includes the faithful on earth, the souls being purified in Purgatory, and the saints who rejoice in Heaven. Though these members of the Church live in different states, they remain united in Jesus Christ.
Saint Paul compared the Church to one body with many members. Each member belongs to the others, and the good of one member benefits the whole body. This bond does not end at death because Christ has conquered death. As Jesus taught, God “is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him” (Luke 20:38).
The Litany of the Saints gives voice to this Catholic belief. The Church on earth calls upon Mary, the angels, the Apostles, the martyrs, and saints from every form of Christian life. Their names remind the faithful that holiness is possible and that a great family of witnesses surrounds them.
Through the Communion of Saints, no Catholic prays alone. Every Mass, every act of charity, and every sincere prayer belongs to the shared life of Christ’s Body. The saints pray for the faithful, the faithful honor the saints, and the whole Church offers praise to God.
Asking for Intercession Is Not Worship
Catholics worship God alone. Worship is owed only to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The saints are honored because of what God’s grace accomplished in their lives, but they are never treated as gods or as sources of divine power.
When a Catholic asks a saint to pray, the request is for intercession. To intercede means to pray on behalf of another person. Christians do this for one another every day. Asking a saint for prayer follows the same basic pattern, with the clear belief that the answer comes from God.
The language of the Litany of the Saints makes this difference plain. The faithful say, “Have mercy on us” to God because mercy and salvation come from Him. They say, “Pray for us” to Mary, the angels, and the saints because these holy servants of God are being asked to intercede.
Honor given to the saints finally points back to God. Their courage, purity, charity, and faith are the fruits of His grace. By remembering them and asking for their prayers, Catholics praise the Lord who made them holy and ask for help in following the same path to Heaven.
When the Church Prays the Litany to the Saints
The Litany of the Saints is not limited to private devotion. It holds an honored place within the sacred liturgy and is prayed during some of the most important moments in the life of the Church. It is heard when new Christians enter the Church, when men receive Holy Orders, when churches and altars are dedicated, and when souls prepare to leave this earthly life.
At each of these moments, the Church calls upon the saints because the faithful on earth are joined to the saints in heaven through the Communion of Saints. As Sacred Scripture declares, Christians are surrounded by “so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). The litany gives voice to this truth. The Church asks the saints to intercede while placing every need before Christ, who is the source of all grace and salvation.
The Easter Vigil and the Sacrament of Baptism
The Litany of the Saints is solemnly sung during the baptismal liturgy of the Easter Vigil when catechumens are to be baptized. Before the baptismal water is blessed, the Church calls upon Mary, the angels, the Apostles, the martyrs, and the other saints to pray for those who are about to be born again through water and the Holy Ghost.
This is a fitting prayer for Baptism. The person being baptized is not entering a private relationship with Christ apart from others. He is entering the Mystical Body of Christ and becoming a member of the family of God. The saints are already perfected members of that family, standing before the throne of God.
Their invocation also reminds the newly baptized of the life that now lies before them. Baptism washes away sin and gives sanctifying grace, but it also begins a lifelong call to holiness. The saints show what God’s grace can accomplish in a soul that remains faithful to Him.
Ordination of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons
The Litany of the Saints is prayed during the ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons. During this solemn prayer, those who are to be ordained lie prostrate before the altar. Their posture expresses humility, surrender, and complete dependence upon the grace of God.
While the candidates lie before the Lord, the Church calls upon the saints to pray for them. The ordained ministry carries duties that no man can fulfill by his own strength. A bishop must guard and teach the faith. A priest must offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, forgive sins in the name of Christ, and care for souls. A deacon must serve the Church through the ministry of the word, the altar, and charity.
The litany surrounds the candidates with the prayer of the whole Church, both on earth and in heaven. It reminds them that they do not begin their ministry alone. The Apostles, martyrs, pastors, doctors, and holy servants of every age intercede for their faithfulness.
Religious Profession and the Consecration of Virgins
The Litany of the Saints is also used in the rites of religious profession and the consecration of virgins. In religious profession, a man or woman publicly gives his or her life to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In the consecration of virgins, a woman is set apart by the Church as a sacred person, united more closely to Christ and dedicated to prayer and service.
These forms of consecrated life point toward the life of heaven, where Christ will be all in all. The saints are invoked because they have already completed the path of faith and now behold the Lord whom the consecrated person seeks to love with an undivided heart.
Their intercession is especially fitting at a moment of lifelong commitment. The Litany asks God to strengthen the person being consecrated, protect that vocation, and grant the grace of perseverance. It also shows that every true vocation is lived within the Church and for the good of the whole Body of Christ.
The Dedication of Churches and Altars
When a church or altar is solemnly dedicated to God, the Litany of the Saints forms part of the rite. The Church calls upon the saints before the sacred place is set apart for divine worship. Their invocation joins the new church building to the worship of the Church throughout the ages.
A Catholic church is more than a meeting hall. It is a sacred place where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, sins are forgiven, marriages are blessed, and the faithful gather for prayer. The altar holds a special place because it represents Christ and is the place upon which His one Sacrifice is made present in the Eucharist.
The Litany of the Saints reminds the faithful that every earthly church points toward the heavenly Jerusalem. The saints worship before God’s throne in heaven, while the Church on earth worships through sacramental signs. In both, Christ remains the center.
Processions, Exorcisms, and Prayer for the Dying
The Church has also used the Litany of the Saints during Rogation observances, station Masses, and penitential processions. In these public acts of prayer, the faithful ask God for mercy, protection, favorable seasons, freedom from danger, and help in times of public need. The repeated invocations give the people a shared voice as they walk and pray together.
The saints are also invoked within the Church’s authorized rite of exorcism. In this setting, the litany expresses confidence in Christ’s victory over Satan and asks the saints to intercede for the afflicted person. A solemn exorcism may be performed only by a priest who has received the express permission of his bishop. It is never a rite that the laity may attempt on their own.
The Litany of the Saints may also be used when commending a dying person to the mercy of God. At the end of earthly life, the Church surrounds the dying Christian with prayer and calls upon the saints who have already passed through death into eternal life. Their names bring comfort and hope, reminding the dying person and the family that death does not break the Communion of Saints. In Christ, the faithful remain members of one living family, awaiting the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
History of the Litany to the Saints
The Litany of the Saints did not come from a single author or appear in its present form at one moment in history. It grew from the prayer of the early Church, especially from public supplications in which a leader offered petitions and the faithful answered with a repeated response. Over time, the names of Mary, the Apostles, the martyrs, and other saints were joined to these petitions.
The word litany comes from a Greek term for prayer or supplication. The familiar response Kyrie, eleison—“Lord, have mercy”—shows the litany’s early connection with the Greek-speaking Church. As the prayer developed, it brought together two acts: asking God for mercy and asking the saints to pray for the Church.
No exact date can be given for the composition of the Litany of the Saints. Its growth over many centuries shows that it belongs to the living prayer of the Church rather than to the private work of one writer. By the early Middle Ages, it had become an established part of Catholic processions, days of penance, and solemn liturgical rites.
Early Christian Prayers Asking the Saints for Help
The early Christians believed that death did not separate the faithful from the Body of Christ. Those who died in friendship with God remained alive in Him and continued to belong to the Communion of Saints. Christians therefore honored the martyrs, gathered near their tombs, celebrated the anniversaries of their deaths, and sought their prayers.
This belief agrees with the vision of heavenly worship found in the Apocalypse. Saint John saw the saints before God holding “golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints” (Apocalypse 5:8). He also saw the prayers of the saints rising before God like incense (Apocalypse 8:3–4). These passages present heaven as deeply concerned with the prayers of the Church on earth.
Surviving prayers from the early centuries show Christians calling upon the saints for protection and intercession. One of the oldest is Sub Tuum Presidium, or “We Fly to Thy Patronage,” which asks the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. Scholars debate the exact date of its oldest surviving manuscript, but it remains an ancient witness to Christian prayer seeking Mary’s protection.
These early prayers were not acts of worship offered to the saints. Adoration belongs to God alone. Christians asked the saints to pray because the saints live with Christ and stand before His throne. This same pattern remains at the heart of the Litany of the Saints: God is asked to have mercy and save His people, while the saints are asked to “pray for us.”
Development of the Litany in the Roman Church
As Christianity spread, public prayers of petition became common during processions, fasts, times of danger, and days of penance. The faithful walked together while clergy and cantors proclaimed petitions. The people answered with responses such as “Lord, have mercy,” “Deliver us, O Lord,” and “We beseech Thee, hear us.”
By the fourth century, forms of litanic prayer invoking the saints were already known in the Christian East. In the West, the Litany of the Saints became closely tied to public processions. Pope Saint Gregory the Great used a solemn sevenfold procession in Rome during a time of pestilence near the end of the sixth century. The people of Rome gathered in separate groups, processed through the city, and prayed for God’s mercy.
During the centuries that followed, the Roman form of the litany became more settled. It began with appeals for mercy to the Holy Trinity. Mary was invoked first among the saints, followed by the angels, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Joseph, the Apostles, martyrs, bishops, doctors, priests, religious founders, virgins, and holy men and women.
The names included in the litany could reflect the saints honored in a certain place or connected with a particular celebration. Yet the prayer always kept the same main order: the Church praised God’s work in His saints, asked for their intercession, sought deliverance from evil, and presented her needs through Christ.
The litany also became closely associated with the Rogation Days, when the faithful prayed for protection, favorable weather, fruitful harvests, and deliverance from public danger. Its use later spread into the rites of Baptism, ordination, religious profession, church dedication, exorcism, and prayer for the dying.
The Litany to the Saints in Catholic Worship Today
The Litany of the Saints remains one of the Church’s chief prayers of solemn intercession. It is not prayed at every Mass, but it holds an important place in rites that mark a new beginning, a sacred calling, or a moment of grave spiritual need.
It is sung during the baptismal liturgy of the Easter Vigil when Baptism is celebrated. It is also prayed during the ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons; the profession of religious vows; the consecration of virgins; and the dedication of churches and altars. The Church also provides for its use in solemn exorcism and in the prayers offered for a person approaching death.
The form of the litany may be adapted to the celebration by including saints connected with a diocese, religious community, church, nation, or person receiving a sacrament. Such additions show that holiness is not confined to one land or age. God raises up saints among every people and in every state of life.
Although the names may vary, the purpose of the prayer remains unchanged. The Church on earth turns to Christ while calling upon the Church in heaven. Together, the faithful ask for mercy, protection, strength, and the grace to remain faithful until death.
The Litany of the Saints therefore serves as a living link between the ancient Church and Catholic worship today. The same Lord is praised, the same mercy is sought, and the same heavenly family is called upon to pray for those still making their way toward eternal life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Litany to the Saints?
The Litany of the Saints is a solemn Catholic prayer that asks God for mercy and calls upon the angels and saints to pray for the faithful. A leader announces each invocation, and the people respond with phrases such as “pray for us,” “deliver us, O Lord,” and “we beseech Thee, hear us.”
Is the Litany to the Saints an Official Catholic Prayer?
Yes. The Litany of the Saints is an official prayer of the Catholic Church and forms part of several approved liturgical rites. It is used during Baptism, ordination, religious profession, the dedication of churches, and other solemn occasions.
When Is the Litany to the Saints Prayed?
The Litany of the Saints is prayed during the Easter Vigil, ordinations, religious professions, the consecration of virgins, and the dedication of churches and altars. It may also be used during certain processions, exorcisms, and prayers for the dying.
Can the Litany to the Saints Be Prayed Privately?
Yes. Catholics may pray the Litany of the Saints alone, with their families, or in prayer groups. It may be offered for personal needs, the Church, the sick, the dying, the conversion of sinners, or any other worthy intention.
Why Do Catholics Ask the Saints to Pray for Them?
Catholics ask the saints to pray because all who belong to Christ remain united in the Communion of Saints. The saints do not replace Jesus Christ. They intercede for the faithful through Him, just as Christians on earth pray for one another.
Why Are Different Saints Named in Different Versions?
Different versions may include saints connected with a country, diocese, parish, religious order, or particular celebration. The main structure remains the same, but approved additions allow the litany to reflect the saints closely connected with the people or occasion.
Can Additional Saints Be Added When Praying Privately?
Yes. When praying privately, Catholics may add the names of canonized saints or blesseds whom they especially honor. Each name may be followed by the response, “pray for us.” Private additions should remain faithful to the Church’s recognition of saints.
Is the Litany to the Saints Used During Exorcisms?
Yes. The Litany of the Saints is included in the Church’s authorized Rite of Exorcism. It asks the saints to intercede while the Church places her trust in the power of Jesus Christ. A solemn exorcism may be performed only by a priest with the permission of his bishop.
Related Catholic Litanies and Prinatble PDFs
Catholic Litany Prayers
Charles Rogers is a resident of South Carolina and a retired computer programmer by trade. Raised in various Christian denominations, he came to faith in Jesus Christ early in life. In 2012, he began experiencing authentic spiritual encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led him on a seven-year journey at her hands, that included alcohol addiction, a widow maker heart attack and death and conversion to the Catholic Faith. He is the exclusive author and owner of Two Percent Survival, a website dedicated to and created in honor of the Holy Mother. Feel free to email Charles at twopercentsurvival@gmail.com.
May Our Lady of the Rosary lead you deeper into the grace you have been given. Pray always, and trust the mercy of God while the door remains open.
— Two Percent Survival