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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

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