Litany of Loreto
Introduction, Foundation of the parish, The church, The presbytery, The clergy, Parish, Congregation, Spiritual, Education, Social and economic, Some notable events, Acknowledgements
The Litany of Loreto is so called because it was first composed to be sung at Loreto in Italy, where the Holy House of Nazareth is traditionally venerated.
Many would be baffled to explain exactly what is meant by some of the titles given to God’s Mother. The reason is that the Litany is poetry. It is not a Scriptural account of Our Lady, but a poem expressed in language drawn from the Scriptures. The titles are not meant to convey information but to stir emotion, praise and love. To participate in a recital of the Litany is a most moving experience.
The Latin inscription of the Litany in St Osmund’s starts in the far right hand bay above the sanctuary, and follows round in a clockwise direction. In each bay the inscription runs from the upper purlin onto the lower one.
Litany of Loreto |
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| Latin text | English translation |
| Kyrie eleison | Lord, have mercy |
| Christe eleison | Christ, have mercy |
| Kyrie eleison |
Lord, have mercy |
| Christe audi nos | Christ, hear us |
| Christe exaudi nos | Christ, graciously hear us |
| Pater de caelis Deus, miserere nobis | God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us |
| Fili Redemptor mundi Deus, miserere nobis | God the Son, redeemer of the world, have mercy on us |
| Spiritus sancte Deus, miserere nobis | God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us |
| Spiritus Trinitas unus Deus, miserere nobis | Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us |
| Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis | Holy Mary, pray for us |
| Sancta Dei genetrix, ora pro nobis | Holy Mother of God, pray for us |
| Sancta Virgo virginium, ora pro nobis | Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us |
| Mater Christi, ora pro nobis | Mother of Christ, pray for us |
| Mater divinae gratiae, ora pro nobis | Mother of divine grace, pray for us |
| Mater purissima, ora pro nobis | Mother most pure, pray for us |
| Mater castissima, ora pro nobis | Mother most chaste, pray for us |
| Mater inviolata, ora pro nobis | Mother inviolate, pray for us |
| Mater intemerata, ora pro nobis | Mother undefiled, pray for us |
| Mater amabilis, ora pro nobis | Mother most lovable, pray for us |
| Mater admirabilis, ora pro nobis | Mother most admirable, pray for us |
| Mater Creatoris, ora pro nobis | Mother of our creator, pray for us |
| Mater Salvatoris, ora pro nobis | Mother of our Saviour, pray for us |
| Virgo prudentissima, ora pro nobis | Virgin most prudent, pray for us |
| Virgo veneranda, ora pro nobis | Virgin most venerable, pray for us |
| Virgo praedicanda, ora pro nobis | Virgin most renowned, pray for us |
| Virgo potens, ora pro nobis | Virgin most powerful, pray for us |
| Virgo clemens, ora pro nobis | Virgin most merciful, pray for us |
| Virgo fidelis, ora pro nobis | Virgin most faithful, pray for us |
| Speculum iustitae, ora pro nobis | Mirror of justice, pray for us |
| Sedes sapientiae, ora pro nobis | Seat of wisdom, pray for us |
| Causa nostrae laetitiae, ora pro nobis | Cause of our joy, pray for us |
| Vas spirituale, ora pro nobis | Spiritual vessel, pray for us |
| Vas honorabile, ora pro nobis | Vessel of honour, pray for us |
| Vas insigne devotionis, ora pro nobis | Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us |
| Rosa mystica, ora pro nobis | Mystical rose, pray for us |
| Turris Davidica, ora pro nobis | Tower of David, pray for us |
| Turris eburnea, ora pro nobis | Tower of ivory, pray for us |
| Domus aurea, ora pro nobis | House of gold, pray for us |
| Foederis arca, ora pro nobis | Arc of the covenant, pray for us |
| Ianua caeli, ora pro nobis | Gate of heaven, pray for us |
| Stalla matutina, ora pro nobis | Morning star, pray for us |
| Salus infirmorum, ora pro nobis | Health of the sick, pray for us |
| Refugium peccatorum, ora pro nobis | Refuge of sinners, pray for us |
| Consolatrix afflictorum, ora pro nobis | Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us |
| Auxilium Christianorum, ora pro nobis | Help of Christians, pray for us |
| Regina angelorum, ora pro nobis | Queen of angels, pray for us |
| Regina patriarcharum, ora pro nobis | Queen of patriarchs, pray for us |
| Regina prophetarum, ora pro nobis | Queen of prophets, pray for us |
| Regina apostolorum, ora pro nobis | Queen of apostles, pray for us |
| Regina martyrum, ora pro nobis | Queen of martyrs, pray for us |
| Regina confessorum, ora pro nobis | Queen of confessors, pray for us |
| Regina virginum, ora pro nobis | Queen of virgins, pray for us |
| Regina sanctorum omnium, ora pro nobis | Queen of all saints, pray for us |
| Regina sine labe concepta, ora pro nobis | Queen conceived without sin, pray for us |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis |
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis | Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us |
| Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis | Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us |
