Ave AudioAve Audio
Back to Catalog
Litany of the Saints (Short Form)
Litanies

Litany of the Saints (Short Form)

Ave AudioLitanies

The Litany of the Saints is one of the Church's oldest and most solemn prayers, invoking the angels, patriarchs, apostles, martyrs, and all saints to intercede for us. Used officially in major liturgies like the Easter Vigil and ordinations, it unites the Church on earth with the Church in heaven.

Prayer Text

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 Spirit, 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 Michael, pray for us. Saint Gabriel, pray for us. Saint Raphael, pray for us. All holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us. All holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. All holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us. Saint Peter, pray for us. Saint Paul, pray for us. Saint Andrew, pray for us. Saint James, pray for us. Saint John, pray for us. Saint Thomas, pray for us. All holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us. All holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for us. Saint Stephen, pray for us. Saint Lawrence, pray for us. Saint Vincent, pray for us. All holy Martyrs, pray for us. Saint Sylvester, pray for us. Saint Gregory, pray for us. Saint Augustine, pray for us. All holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us. All holy Doctors, pray for us. Saint Anthony, pray for us. Saint Benedict, pray for us. Saint Dominic, pray for us. Saint Francis, pray for us. All holy Priests and Levites, pray for us. All holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us. Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us. Saint Agnes, pray for us. Saint Cecilia, pray for us. Saint Catherine, pray for us. Saint Anastasia, pray for us. All holy Virgins and Widows, pray for us. All holy Saints of God, intercede for us. Be merciful, spare us, O Lord. Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord. From all evil, O Lord, deliver us. From all sin, O Lord, deliver us. From Thy wrath, O Lord, deliver us. From a sudden and unprovided death, O Lord, deliver us. From the snares of the devil, O Lord, deliver us. From anger, hatred, and all ill will, O Lord, deliver us. From the spirit of fornication, O Lord, deliver us. From lightning and tempest, O Lord, deliver us. From the scourge of earthquake, O Lord, deliver us. From plague, famine, and war, O Lord, deliver us. From everlasting death, O Lord, deliver us. Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thy Coming, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thy Birth, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thy Baptism and holy Fasting, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thy Cross and Passion, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thy Death and Burial, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thy holy Resurrection, O Lord, deliver us. Through Thine admirable Ascension, O Lord, deliver us. Through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, O Lord, deliver us. In the day of judgment, O Lord, deliver us. We sinners, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst spare us, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst pardon us, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst govern and preserve Thy holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst preserve our Holy Father the Pope and all orders of the Church in holy religion, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst humble the enemies of holy Church, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst give peace and true concord to all Christian kings and princes, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst grant peace and unity to all Christian people, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst bring back to the unity of the Church all those who have strayed away, and lead to the light of the Gospel all unbelievers, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst deliver our souls and the souls of our brethren, relatives, and benefactors from eternal damnation, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst give and preserve the fruits of the earth, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldst graciously hear us, we beseech Thee, hear us. Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes 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. Amen.

What is the Litany of the Saints (Short Form)?

The Litany of the Saints is ancient, with early forms appearing in the Eastern Church by the 3rd century. Pope Gregory the Great standardized a version for Rome around 600 AD. It is one of only a few litanies approved for public liturgical use, as specified in the Roman Missal for solemn occasions like the Easter Vigil, ordinations, and the dedication of churches. Its structure, invoking saints and then petitioning God, became the model for many other popular litanies in the Church's devotional life.

What does the Litany of the Saints (Short Form) mean?

This litany powerfully expresses the doctrine of the Communion of Saints, uniting the Church on earth with the saints in heaven. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, the saints "do not cease to intercede with the Father for us" (CCC 956). By invoking them by name—from Mary and the apostles to martyrs and virgins—we acknowledge our place in a vast family of faith. We ask these heroes, who now see God face-to-face, to add their powerful prayers to our own.

When Do Catholics Pray the Litany of the Saints (Short Form)?

The Litany of the Saints is prescribed in the Roman Missal for the most solemn liturgies: the Easter Vigil, ordinations, and the consecration of churches. Devotionally, it is fitting to pray on All Saints' Day, for the dying, or in times of great public or private need. Many pray it when facing serious temptation or seeking guidance for a major life decision, entrusting their petitions to the entire company of heaven for powerful intercession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Prayer history and FAQs are drafted with AI assistance and edited before publishing. How we source our prayers

15-Second Preview

Voice: BrianStability: 50%Similarity: 75%Style: 0%

$2.99

5 min 22 sec audio

Litany of the Saints (Short Form)

$2.99