Catholic Prayer: Litany of Saint Boniface

Description:

This litany in style and construction distinctly Medieval or not later than 16th century, probably of Germanic counter-Reformation origin (note invocations "Thou founder of the Catholic Church in Germany... St. Boniface, our Father." Perhaps of Bavarian authorship: note "That God may restore the Faith to the whole of Germany"). Note, too, the second oration. This translation taken entire from St. Benedict's Manual (1875; Frederick Pustet, 1879).

Prayer:

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 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. Queen of the Apostles, Pray for us. Saint Boniface, Pray for us. Apostle of Germany, Pray for us. Worthy successor of the Apostles, Pray for us. Worthy disciple of Saint Benedict, Pray for us. Ornament of the Catholic Church, Pray for us. Thou light, shining for the conversion of pagan nations, Pray for us. Thou light, shining like the sun, Pray for us. Thou great benefactor of many nations, Pray for us. Thou zealous preacher of the Gospel, Pray for us. Thou unwearied laborer in the vineyard of the Lord, Pray for us. Thou founder of the Catholic Church in Germany, Pray for us. Saint Boniface, our Father, Pray for us. St. Boniface, teacher of truth and virtue, Pray for us. St. Boniface, extirpator of heathenism, Pray for us. St. Boniface, destroyer of heresy, Pray for us. St. Boniface, great Bishop and model of missionaries, Pray for us. St. Boniface, protector of missions, Pray for us. St. Boniface, founder of many monasteries, Pray for us. St. Boniface, powerful advocate with God, Pray for us. St. Boniface, who didst work many miracles, Pray for us. St. Boniface, great martyr of faith, Pray for us. That God may preserve and confirm us in our holy Catholic religion, Pray for us. That God may grant us grace to walk piously and faithfully before Him, Pray for us. That God may humble the enemies of His Church, Pray for us. That God may grant the grace of true faith to all heretics and infidels, Pray for us. That God may give us that spirit with which thou didst serve Him, Pray for us. That God may restore the Faith to the whole of Germany, Pray for us. That God may raise up zealous missionaries to convert all pagans and heretics, Pray for us. That the Holy Spirit may enlighten all missionaries, Pray for 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. Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy. Our Father, etc., for the conversion of Germany and of all heathen.

Let us pray. Merciful God, Who hast shown compassion to so many heathen nations, through Thy faithful servant St. Boniface: we humbly pray Thee to revive and preserve that faith which he preached in Thy Holy Name, that we may receive Thy revelations with a faithful heart, and so regulate our lives as to gain the Heavenly Kingdom. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. R. Amen. Preserve and increase, we beseech Thee, O God, the faith of Thy children, and lead back to the true fold all those who have been separated or have separated themselves from it. Through Christ, Our Lord. R. Amen.

Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944