The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Litany of Loreto, is a formal prayer consisting of a series of invocations to Mary for her intercession. Originating in the 16th century at the Italian shrine of Loreto, it was officially approved for public use and is prayed to honor Mary's virtues and seek her powerful help.
This litany was formally approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587 for public use at the shrine of Loreto, Italy, from which it gets its common name. While its structure was standardized then, many of its titles for Mary are much older, appearing in sermons and devotional writings from the early Church. Over the centuries, popes have added new titles, such as "Queen of the most holy Rosary" by Pope Leo XIII and, more recently, "Mother of Mercy" by Pope Francis.
The litany's many titles honor Mary's unique role in salvation history and her virtues as the first and most perfect disciple. Each invocation, from "Mother of Christ" to "Gate of Heaven," is a short meditation on a facet of her relationship with God and the Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, her maternal role extends to all members of the Church, making her a powerful intercessor and spiritual mother (CCC 969).
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the few approved for public liturgical use. It is traditionally recited at the end of the Rosary, during May devotions, and on major Marian feast days like the Assumption (August 15) and the Immaculate Conception (December 8). It is also fitting to pray it in times of great need, asking for the Blessed Mother's powerful intercession for personal intentions or for the whole Church.
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