Catholic Prayer: Litany of Saint Louis of France

Description:

Origin of the this litany unknown, but the (fate of its composition must have been before SS. Louis and Elizabeth were chosen Patrons of the Third Order of St. Francis, otherwise he would certainly have been invoked under that title in this office, since the litany itself derives from Franciscan sources. The above was translated for our collection by a young Capuchin cleric (whose family surname was Janowski) from a "Litania do swietego Ludwika Wyznawcy" as found in a Polish prayer-book, Nowy Brewiarzyk Tercyarski, compiled by a Capuchin Father at Cracow and published there 1910. The translation was sent, with his superiors' permission, by Frater Roland, O.F.M.Cap., Subdeacon, of Marathon, Wise.

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. Saint Louis of France, Pray for us. St. Louis, scion of devout parents, Pray for us. St. Louis, constant protector of the children of God, Pray for us. St. Louis, steadfast teacher of piety, Pray for us. St. Louis, true model of Christian virtue, Pray for us. St. Louis, faithful confessor of the living Christ, Pray for us. St. Louis, kingly bearer of humiliations, Pray for us. St. Louis, staunch defender of the glorified Christ, Pray for us. St. Louis, true martyr of the flesh by mortification, Pray for us. St. Louis, detester of worldly pride and honor, Pray for us. St. Louis, saviour of souls, Pray for us. St. Louis, ardent lover of God, Pray for us. St. Louis, kind friend of enemies, Pray for us. St. Louis, rapt in prayer to God, Pray for us. St. Louis, hope of sinners, Pray for us. St. Louis, giver of gifts, Pray for us. St. Louis, founder of charitable institutions for the afflicted, Pray for us. St. Louis, generous giver of alms, Pray for us. St. Louis, lavish dispenser of riches, Pray for us. St. Louis, guard of the holy places of pilgrimage, Pray for us. St. Louis, detester of immoderate people, Pray for us. St. Louis, protector of widows and orphans, Pray for us. St. Louis, defender of the sepulchre of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Pray for us. St. Louis, victor over the Saracens, Pray for us. St. Louis, protector of those in pagan slavery, Pray for us. St. Louis, converter of unbelievers to the Christian faith, Pray for us. St. Louis, visitor of hospitals and dispenser of favors to the infirm, Pray for us. St. Louis, healer of the sick, Pray for us. St. Louis, intercessor and patron of the French King, Pray for us. St. Louis, from whom those who flee to thee obtain the infallible help of God, Pray for us. St. Louis, at whose request divers diseases are miraculously cured, 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 on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us.

Our Father (secretly). Hail, Mary (secretly).

V. Pray for us, Saint Louis: R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O Lord, King of kings, Jesus Christ, Who didst love Saint Louis and didst lead him into the heavenly Kingdom: grant that by his intercession and good works, we may participate in his glory for all eternity. Who livest and reignest world without end. R. Amen.

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