Catholic Prayer: Litany of Saint Charles Borromeo

Description:

A brief litany in honor of St. Charles was included among those in Sadlier's Golden Manual of 1851, but it was so short and so inadequate as to be little more than an ejaculation. Using it, because approved at that time, as a framework, they have inserted a number of invocations taken from Father Thurston's gloss on Butler (Lives of the Saints, November, pp. 42-53).

Prayer:

Antiphon: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. V. The Lord loved him and adorned him. R. He clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.

Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. Holy Mary, Queen of Apostles, Pray for us. Saint Charles Borromeo, Pray for us. St. Charles, imitator of Christ, Pray for us. St. Charles, faithful follower of Christ and Him Crucified, Pray for us. St. Charles, replenished with the spirit of the Apostles, Pray for us. St. Charles, consumed with zeal for the glory of God, Pray for us. St. Charles, indefatigable in thy labors, Pray for us. St. Charles, reassembling the Council of Trent, Pray for us. St. Charles, first great prelate of the counter-reformation, Pray for us. St. Charles, father and guide of the clergy, Pray for us. St. Charles, the light and support of the Church, Pray for us. St. Charles, tireless in bettering conditions in thy vast diocese of Milan, Pray for us. St. Charles, true reformer of both clergy and people, Pray for us. St. Charles, alert to the proper carrying out of the sacred Liturgy, Pray for us. St. Charles, founder of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for instructing children, the first Sunday-schools, Pray for us. St. Charles, founder of the Oblates of Saint Ambrose, most desirous of the salvation of souls, Pray for us. St. Charles, most zealous for the teaching of youth, Pray for us. St. Charles, a model of humility and penance, Pray for us. St. Charles, whose selflessness during the great plague won the hearts even of thy foes, 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: Hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Christ, graciously hear us.

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

Let us pray. Ever keep Thy Church, O Lord, we beseech Thee, under the protection of blessed Charles Thy Confessor and Bishop; that through the intercession of him who became glorious by his watchful care over his flock, we may ever burn with love for Thee. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. R. Amen.

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