Litany of the Saints

The Litany of the Saints is one of the oldest prayers of the Church. It calls on Our Lady, the angels, the apostles, martyrs, bishops, and virgins of every age to pray for us, and then asks Christ, through the mysteries of His life, to deliver us from evil and hear our petitions. Its roots go back more than a thousand years, and it is still sung at the Easter Vigil, at ordinations, and at the consecration of churches.

You can pray it privately in times of great need, on All Saints' Day, during Rogation days, or with family before a baptism or confirmation. Pray each invocation and answer with the response shown; the full traditional English form is below.

The 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, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, pray for us. All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us. All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, pray for us. St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, pray for us. All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us. St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Thaddeus, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, pray for us. All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us. All ye holy disciples of our Lord, pray for us. All ye holy Innocents, pray for us. St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, Sts. John and Paul, Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Sts. Gervase and Protase, pray for us. All ye holy Martyrs, pray for us. St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, pray for us. All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us. All ye holy Doctors, pray for us. St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, pray for us. All ye holy Priests and Levites, pray for us. All ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us. St. Mary Magdalen, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Catherine, St. Anastasia, pray for us. All ye holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us. All ye holy Saints of God, make intercession for us. Be merciful, spare us, O Lord. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord. From all evil, from all sin, from Thy wrath, from sudden and unprovided death, from the snares of the devil, from anger, hatred, and all ill will, from the spirit of fornication, from lightning and tempest, from everlasting death, O Lord, deliver us. Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, through Thy coming, through Thy nativity, through Thy baptism and holy fasting, through Thy cross and passion, through Thy death and burial, through Thy holy resurrection, through Thy admirable ascension, through the coming of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, in the day of judgment, O Lord, deliver us. We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst spare us, that Thou wouldst pardon us, that Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate and all orders of the Church in holy religion, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian people, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, that Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, that Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, that Thou wouldst deliver our souls and those of our brethren, relations, and benefactors from eternal damnation, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to 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. Our Father (silently). V. And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Sources: Litany of the Saints, traditional English form as printed in The Key of Heaven (19th century), public domain. Responses grouped for readability.

---

If these prayers help you, you can support Daily Catholic Prayers, a private passion project, starting at $5.