To pray the Litany aloud with a group: a leader announces each invocation and the assembly responds with "pray for us" (or "have mercy on us" for the Trinity invocations and "spare us, O Lord" etc. for the Agnus Dei). When praying alone, simply read each invocation and response continuously.
V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy.
V. Lord, have mercy.
V. Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
Leader → Assembly responds in italics
The Holy Trinity
Response: have mercy on 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. |
The Names of Mary
Response: pray for us. (said after each invocation)
| 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, (added 1980) | pray for us. |
| Mother of Mercy, (added 2020) | pray for us. |
| Mother of divine grace, | pray for us. |
| Mother of Hope, (added 2020) | 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, (added 1903) | 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. |
| Solace of Migrants, (added 2020) | pray for us. |
| Comfort 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, (added 1883) | pray for us. |
| Queen assumed into heaven, (added 1950) | pray for us. |
| Queen of the most holy Rosary, (added 1883) | pray for us. |
| Queen of families, (added 1995) | pray for us. |
| Queen of peace, (added 1917) | pray for us. |
Agnus Dei
| 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. |
Cantor → Chorus respondet in cursivo
Sancta Trinitas
Responsum: miserere nobis.
| Pater de caelis, Deus, | miserere nobis. |
| Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, | miserere nobis. |
| Spiritus Sancte, Deus, | miserere nobis. |
| Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, | miserere nobis. |
Nomina Mariae
Responsum: ora pro nobis.
| Sancta Maria, | ora pro nobis. |
| Sancta Dei Genetrix, | ora pro nobis. |
| Sancta Virgo virginum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater Christi, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater Ecclesiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater misericordiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater divinae gratiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater spei, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater purissima, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater castissima, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater inviolata, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater intemerata, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater amabilis, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater admirabilis, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater boni Consilii, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater Creatoris, | ora pro nobis. |
| Mater Salvatoris, | ora pro nobis. |
| Virgo prudentissima, | ora pro nobis. |
| Virgo veneranda, | ora pro nobis. |
| Virgo praedicanda, | ora pro nobis. |
| Virgo potens, | ora pro nobis. |
| Virgo clemens, | ora pro nobis. |
| Virgo fidelis, | ora pro nobis. |
| Speculum iustitiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Sedes sapientiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Causa nostrae laetitiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Vas spirituale, | ora pro nobis. |
| Vas honorabile, | ora pro nobis. |
| Vas insigne devotionis, | ora pro nobis. |
| Rosa mystica, | ora pro nobis. |
| Turris Davidica, | ora pro nobis. |
| Turris eburnea, | ora pro nobis. |
| Domus aurea, | ora pro nobis. |
| Foederis arca, | ora pro nobis. |
| Ianua caeli, | ora pro nobis. |
| Stella matutina, | ora pro nobis. |
| Salus infirmorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Refugium peccatorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Solacium migrantium, | ora pro nobis. |
| Consolatrix afflictorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Auxilium Christianorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Angelorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Patriarcharum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Prophetarum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Apostolorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Martyrum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Confessorum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Virginum, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina Sanctorum omnium, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina sine labe originali concepta, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina in caelum assumpta, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina sacratissimi Rosarii, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina familiae, | ora pro nobis. |
| Regina pacis, | ora pro nobis. |
Agnus Dei
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, | parce nobis, Domine. |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, | exaudi nos, Domine. |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, | miserere nobis. |
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. 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 perpetual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow, and obtain eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus. Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere, et gloriosae beatae Mariae semper Virginis intercessione, a praesenti liberari tristitia, et aeterna perfrui laetitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen.
History
The Litany of Loreto takes its name from the Basilica della Santa Casa (Shrine of the Holy House) in Loreto, Italy, where it was in use from at least 1558. According to tradition, this shrine houses the walls of the house in Nazareth where the Angel Gabriel announced the Incarnation to Mary — transported to Italy by miraculous or human means. The litany was formally approved by Pope Sixtus V in his 1587 Brief Reddituri, which also suppressed all other publicly recited Marian litanies, making this the sole approved Marian litany for public use.
Over the centuries, popes have added new invocations to reflect the Church's developing understanding of Mary's role and the needs of the world:
- 1675 — Queen of the most Holy Rosary (for the confraternities of the Rosary; Leo XIII extended to the whole Church in 1883)
- 1883 — Queen conceived without original sin (Leo XIII)
- 1903 — Mother of good counsel (Leo XIII)
- 1917 — Queen of peace (Benedict XV, during the First World War)
- 1950 — Queen assumed into heaven (Pius XII, year of the dogmatic definition of the Assumption)
- 1980 — Mother of the Church (John Paul II)
- 1995 — Queen of families (John Paul II)
- 2020 — Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope, and Solace of Migrants (Pope Francis, 20 June 2020, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)
The Symbolism of the Titles
Many of the Litany's titles are drawn from Old Testament typology — Scripture images that the Fathers of the Church applied to Mary as their fulfilment. The Tower of David (Song of Songs 4:4) symbolises her as a bulwark of the faith. The Tower of ivory speaks of her purity. The House of gold recalls the Temple. The Ark of the covenant — the vessel that carried the tablets of the Law — prefigures Mary, who carried the Word of God himself. The Gate of heaven recalls Jacob's vision at Bethel (Genesis 28:17) and points to Mary as the door through which the eternal entered time. The Morning star appears before the sunrise — Mary precedes Christ as dawn precedes the sun.
The Mirror of justice (Speculum iustitiae) reflects the Wisdom literature: Mary reflects the holiness of God as a polished mirror reflects light. The Seat of wisdom (Sedes sapientiae) — perhaps the most theologically dense title — names Mary as the throne on which Wisdom Himself (Christ) sat: she held in her arms the One who holds the cosmos.
The “Mother” Titles — Doctrinal Weight
Each “Mother” title carries a specific doctrinal claim. Mother of the Church was proclaimed by Pope Paul VI at the close of the third session of Vatican II (21 November 1964) — the most recent title formally added by a council. Mother of divine grace names her as the channel through whom grace entered the world, not as its source (which is God alone) but as its vessel: kecharitomene, the graced one. Mother of good counsel is theologically connected to the wisdom tradition: Wisdom 8:9, Proverbs 8 — Mary as the embodiment of the Wisdom that orders all things well.
The “Mirror” Titles — Wisdom 7:26
The Mirror titles (Mirror of justice, Mirror of wisdom, Mirror of holiness) draw on Wisdom 7:26: “She is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.” The Fathers applied this wisdom text to Mary: she perfectly reflects Christ — the Light of the world — because she was never dimmed by sin. A spotless mirror shows only what is before it; Mary shows only Christ. The speculum (mirror) theology is the patristic explanation of why Marian devotion always leads to Christ: one does not look at Mary but through her, as through a mirror, to the One she reflects.
The “Tower” and “House” Titles — Song of Songs and 1 Kings
Tower of David comes from Song of Songs 4:4: “Your neck is like the tower of David, built in courses; a thousand shields hang on it.” The Fathers read this as the strength of Mary’s faith — unassailable, armoured with virtue. Tower of ivory comes from Song of Songs 7:4: purity, elegance, whiteness without stain. House of gold (Domus Aurea) refers to the Temple’s Holy of Holies, entirely lined with pure gold (1 Kings 6:22) — the sanctuary where God’s presence dwelt. Mary is Domus Aurea because her womb was the new Holy of Holies: the place where the Word of God dwelt in the flesh. To call her the golden house is to call her what the Temple was — the dwelling place of God among his people.
The “Gate” and “Star” Titles — Genesis 28 and the Providential Error
Gate of Heaven (Ianua Caeli) echoes Genesis 28:17 — Jacob at Bethel: “This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Mary is the gate through which God entered the world (the Incarnation) and through which humanity enters heaven (her intercession). Morning Star (Stella Matutina) reflects Revelation 22:16 — Christ is the bright Morning Star; Mary precedes him as the dawn precedes the sun. The related title Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) arose from a providential scribal error: St. Jerome (c. 347–420) translated the Hebrew Miryam as stilla maris (“drop of the sea”); a later copyist read stilla as stella, and “drop” became “star.” Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure all embraced the title as theologically fitting: the humility of a drop exalted to the guidance of a star — the precise arc of the Magnificat.
The “Queen” Titles — History and Authority
The Queen titles close the Litany and were added progressively. Leo XIII added the queenship titles in 1883; Benedict XV added Queen of Peace in May 1917 — at the height of World War I; Pius XII added Queen assumed into heaven in 1950 after defining the Assumption; John Paul II added Mother of the Church in 2000; Francis added Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope, and Comfort of Migrants in 2020. Only popes may add invocations to the Litany — and each addition has been precisely dated to a moment of historical urgency in the Church’s life.
When to Pray the Litany of Loreto
The Litany is traditionally prayed after the Rosary — after the Hail Holy Queen and Closing Prayer — making it an optional extended conclusion to the Rosary. It is especially appropriate during May (Month of Mary), October (Month of the Rosary), and on Saturdays (the day dedicated to Our Lady). A partial indulgence is granted by the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (2004) to the faithful who pray it with devotion.
Related prayers: Hail Holy Queen — prayed before the Litany at the close of the Rosary; Hail Mary Prayer — prayed fifty times in the Rosary before the Litany; all Rosary prayers.
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Stella Maris — Star of the Sea: The Providential Error
The title Stella Maris has one of the most theologically rich origin stories in Catholic devotion. St. Jerome (c. 347–420) translated the Hebrew name Miryam as stilla maris (“drop of the sea”: mar = drop; yam = sea) in his Onomasticon. A later copyist changed stilla to stella — through either scribal error or Latin peasant dialect. A drop became a star. The Catholic Encyclopedia (vol. 15, 1912): Stella Maris “is more popular than any other interpretation of the name Mary, and is dated back to St. Jerome.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux: “If the winds of temptation arise; if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the Star, call on Mary.” Aquinas: “Mary means Star of the Sea, for as mariners are guided to port by the ocean star, so Christians attain to glory through Mary’s intercession.” The error is called a felix culpa of transmission: humility (stilla) exalted to guidance (stella) — the same arc as the Magnificat.
Sources: Jerome, Liber de Nominibus Hebraicis (PL XXIII, col. 789) · Catholic Encyclopedia vol. 15 (1912) · Bernard of Clairvaux · Thomas Aquinas
Domus Aurea — House of Gold: The Temple, Not Nero’s Palace
The invocation “House of Gold” (Domus Aurea) is often misread as a reference to Nero’s golden palace in Rome. It is in fact a reference to the Temple of Solomon. The Holy of Holies — the innermost sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant rested and God’s presence dwelt — was entirely lined with pure gold: “He overlaid the whole interior with pure gold” (1 Kings 6:22). Mary is Domus Aurea because her womb was the new Holy of Holies: the place where the divine Word dwelt in the flesh. The typological chain: Ark of the Covenant (gold-covered sanctuary) → Mary’s womb (living sanctuary of the Incarnate Word) → the Eucharistic tabernacle (the ongoing Real Presence). The Litany gathers all three: Foederis Arca (Ark of the Covenant), Domus Aurea (House of Gold), Turris Davidica (Tower of David).
Sources: 1 Kings 6:20–22 · Exodus 25 (Ark of the Covenant) · Luke 1:35 · Patristic Ark typology
The Invocation Clusters — Their Scriptural Roots
The Litany’s 49 invocations fall into theological clusters. The “Mirror” titles draw on Wisdom 7:26: “She is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God” — Mary reflects Christ perfectly because she was never dimmed by sin. The “Gate of Heaven” (Ianua Caeli) echoes Genesis 28:17 — Jacob at Bethel: “This is the gate of heaven.” Mary is the gate through which God entered the world and through which we enter heaven. The “Tower of David” comes from Song of Songs 4:4; the “Tower of Ivory” from Song of Songs 7:4. “Queen of Peace” was added by Benedict XV in May 1917 — at the height of World War I. Only popes may add invocations: the most recent additions were made by Francis in 2020 (Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope, Comfort of Migrants).
Sources: Wisdom 7:26 · Genesis 28:17 · Song of Songs 4:4; 7:4 · Benedict XV (1917) · Pope Francis (2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
What new invocations did Pope Francis add to the Litany of Loreto?
On 20 June 2020, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pope Francis added three invocations: "Mother of Mercy" (Mater misericordiae), inserted after "Mother of the Church"; "Mother of Hope" (Mater spei), inserted after "Mother of divine grace"; and "Solace of Migrants" (Solacium migrantium), inserted after "Refuge of sinners." All three are included in the Orabimus text above.
Is the Litany of Loreto required after the Rosary?
No. The Litany of Loreto is a traditional but optional extension of the Rosary. The complete Rosary properly ends with the Sign of the Cross after the Closing Prayer. The Litany is a recommended and indulgenced addition, but it is not part of the required structure of the Rosary as defined by the USCCB or Church tradition.
What does "Solace of Migrants" mean?
"Solace of Migrants" (Solacium migrantium) was added by Pope Francis in 2020 to invoke Mary's intercession for refugees, migrants, and displaced persons worldwide. Francis has repeatedly emphasised care for migrants as a defining concern of the Church. Mary herself was a migrant — she fled to Egypt as a refugee with Joseph and the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15).
What is an indulgence, and does the Litany of Loreto carry one?
An indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment due to sin, through the merits of Christ and the saints applied by the Church. The Enchiridion Indulgentiarum (2004) grants a partial indulgence — remission of some temporal punishment — to the faithful who pray the Litany of Loreto with devotion. A plenary indulgence (full remission) can be obtained for praying the Rosary under specific conditions.
How many invocations does the Litany of Loreto have?
The current Litany of Loreto contains 54 Marian invocations, plus opening invocations of the Trinity and the Agnus Dei. The number has grown over centuries as popes added new titles: Leo XIII added titles in 1883 and 1903, Benedict XV in 1917, Pius XII in 1950, John Paul II in 1980 and 1995, and Pope Francis added three on 20 June 2020 (Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope, Solace of Migrants). The original 1587 text approved by Pope Sixtus V had fewer invocations. It has been a living prayer, expanded by successive popes to speak to the Church's evolving needs.
What does 'Seat of Wisdom' mean in the Litany of Loreto?
Seat of Wisdom (Latin: Sedes sapientiae) refers to Mary as the throne of divine Wisdom. Scripture calls Christ 'the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:24), and Mary literally carried and enthroned the Incarnate Word. The image echoes both the throne of Solomon — the wisest king — and the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets of the Law (God's written word), while Mary contained the Word made flesh. The title implies that approaching Mary leads to Wisdom himself. Many university chapels are dedicated under this title. It is among the most theologically dense invocations in the entire Litany.
What does 'Mystical Rose' mean in the Litany of Loreto?
Mystical Rose (Latin: Rosa mystica) draws from the Song of Songs (2:1 — 'I am the rose of Sharon') and Sirach 24:14 ('I grew like a rose plant in Jericho'). The Church Fathers applied rose imagery to Mary as the most beautiful flowering of human nature — unblemished, fragrant with grace, set apart from sin. The word mystical (from Greek mystikos — hidden, sacred) indicates this is not a literal rose but one belonging to the sacred order. St. Bernard of Clairvaux developed Marian rose imagery extensively. It speaks of Mary's beauty, purity, and her role as the culminating flower of the Old Testament's expectation.
Why is Mary called 'Star of the Sea' — Stella Maris?
The title Stella Maris arose from a scribal error. St. Jerome (c. 347-420) translated the Hebrew name Miryam as stilla maris ('drop of the sea') in his Onomasticon. Later copyists changed stilla to stella, producing 'star of the sea.' The Catholic Encyclopedia (vol. 15, 1912) traces the title to Jerome. St. Bernard of Clairvaux: 'If the winds of temptation arise; if you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the Star, call on Mary.' Aquinas: 'Mary means Star of the Sea, for as mariners are guided to port by the ocean star, so Christians attain to glory through Mary's maternal intercession.' Theologians call the error a felix culpa: humility (a drop) became guidance (a star) — the same movement as the Magnificat.
What does 'House of Gold' mean in the Litany of Loreto?
Domus Aurea (House of Gold) refers to the Temple of Solomon's Holy of Holies — not Nero's Roman palace of the same name. The Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant rested and God's presence dwelt, was entirely lined with pure gold (1 Kings 6:22). Mary is Domus Aurea because her womb was the new Holy of Holies: the place where the divine Word dwelt in the flesh. The typological chain runs from the gold-covered Ark (Exodus 25) through Mary's womb (Luke 1:35) to the tabernacle of the Eucharist. The Litany gathers all three points: Ark of the Covenant, House of Gold, Tower of David.
When and how was the Litany of Loreto approved?
The Litany of Loreto takes its name from the Shrine of Loreto in Italy, where it was used from at least the 16th century. It was officially approved for universal use by Pope Sixtus V in 1587. Since then, only popes have had authority to add new invocations: Leo XIII added the Marian queenship titles in 1883; Benedict XV added 'Queen of Peace' in May 1917 during World War I; Pius XII added 'Queen assumed into heaven' in 1950 after defining the dogma of the Assumption; John Paul II added 'Mother of the Church' in 2000; Francis added three new invocations in 2020: Mother of Mercy, Mother of Hope, and Comfort of Migrants.