litany – Page 5 – A Collection of Prayers

Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

This litany from an Irish prayer book asks Jesus for mercy appealing to who he is, his attributes, his virtue, his love and his work. A shorter Litany on the Name of Jesus is found at Litany (Name of Jesus).

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, hear us.
Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, have mercy.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy.

Jesus, Son of the living God,
Jesus, Splendor of the Father,
Jesus, Brightness of eternal light,
Jesus, King of glory,
Jesus, Sun of justice,
Jesus, Son of the virgin Mary, have mercy on us.

Jesus most lovable,
Jesus, most adorable,
Jesus, most admirable,
Jesus, the mighty God,
Jesus, Father of the world to come,
Jesus, Angel of great counsel,
Jesus, most powerful,
Jesus, most patient,
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Lover of chastity,
Jesus, Lover of us,
Jesus, God of peace,
Jesus, Author of life,
Jesus, example of all virtues,
Jesus, zealous Lover of souls,
Jesus, our God,
Jesus, our Refuge,
Jesus, Father of the poor,
Jesus, Treasure of the faithful, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
Jesus, True Light,
Jesus, Eternal Wisdom,
Jesus, Infinite Goodness,
Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
Jesus, Joy of angels,
Jesus, Master of apostles,
Jesus, Teacher of evangelists,
Jesus, Strength of martyrs,
Jesus, Light of confessors,
Jesus, Purity of virgins,
Jesus, Crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Be merciful to us: Spare us, O Jesus,
Be merciful to us: Hear us, O Jesus.

From all evil,
From all sin,
From your wrath,
From the snares of the devil,
From the spirit of fornication,
From everlasting death,
From neglect of your holy inspirations, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

Through the mystery of your holy Incarnation,
through your nativity,
through your divine infancy,
through your sacred life,
through your labors,
through your agony and passion,
through your cross and dereliction,
through your pains and torments,
through your death and burial,
through your glorious resurrection,
through your ascension,
through your joys and glory,
in the day of judgment, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Spare us, Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Hear us, Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us, Lord Jesus.

Christ Jesus, hear us.
Christ Jesus, graciously hear us.

V. May the name of the Lord be praised.
R. Now and forever.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, you said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Mercifully hear our prayers and give us your gift of divine charity, that we may always love you with all our heart, and always praise your holy name; for you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Modified from The Irish Handbook of the Holy League, called the Apostleship of Prayer, Dublin, 1890, p. 59-62

Dunkeld Litany

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The litany below is a shortened version of a litany which was sung at public processions of a group of ascetic monks called Culdees. It was used at the ancient Scottish monastery of Dunkeld.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

God, the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

You are three, and yet one God, have mercy on us.

Be gracious, free us, Lord.
Be gracious, hear us, Lord.
Be gracious, spare us, Lord.

From every evil,
from every evil inclination,
from every impurity of heart and body,
from a haughty spirit,
from the evil of sickness,
from the snares of the devil,
from enemies to the Christian name,
from destructive storms,
from famine and nakedness,
from thieves and robbers,
from wolves and all dangerous animals,
from floods of water,
from trials of death,
in the day of judgment, free us, Lord.

By your advent,
by your birth,
by your circumcision,
by your baptism,
by your passion,
by sending the counseling Spirit, free us, Lord.

We sinners pray, free us, Lord.

Holy Father, we pray, hear us.

To give us peace and concord,
to give us life and health,
to give us the fruits of the earth,
to protect our livestock from all pestilence,
to give us favorable weather,
to give us rain at the proper time,
to give us perseverance in good works,
to work true repentance in us,
to move us in charity for those in need,
to give us fervor in your service,
to give all Christian people peace and unity,
to keep us in the true faith and religion,
to preserve and spread your holy church,
to give long life and health to pastors, teachers and all leaders in the church,
to protect the leaders of our land from all enemies and snares.
to give them victory and long life,
to drive out the enemies of Christians from the earth,
to bring them to holy baptism,
to give all Christians your mercy,
to spare us,
to grant us mercy,
to look upon us, we pray, hear us.

Son of God, hear us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us, Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.

Christ conquers,
Christ rules,
Christ commands.

O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

O Christ, give us your grace,
O Christ, give us joy and peace.
O Christ, give us life and salvation.
Amen.

Let us pray.

Our Father…

Let us pray.
Almighty and gracious God, in your majesty remember us. Grant us forgiveness of all sins, increase your heavenly grace to us, and give us your help against all the snares of our enemies, seen and unseen. In the same way, protect our hearts by your command, so that after this mortal life, we may rejoice together with all your saints in the glory of the kingdom of God, serving our Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer, who has all power and rule, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Kalendars of Scottish Saints by Alexander Penrose Forbes, Bishop of Brechin, Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh, 1872, p. lvi-lxv.

Note: This litany is very similar to the Litany of All Saints, which was adapted by Martin Luther for his Latin Litany Corrected and his German Litany.

The Litany of the Trinity (Mugron)

The first lines of Mugron’s Litany of the Trinity

Have mercy on us,
O God, Father almighty!
O God of hosts,
O God most high,
O Lord of the world,
O indescribable God,
O Creator of the elements,
O invisible God,
O untouchable God,
O unjudgeable God,
O immeasurable God,
O impatient God,
O immaculate God,
O immortal God,
O immoveable God,
O eternal God,
O perfect God,
O merciful God,
O admirable God,
O awesome God,
O golden good,
O Father in heaven,
have mercy on us!

Have mercy on us,
O almighty God,
O Jesus Christ,
O Son of living God!
O Son that was born twice,
O only-begotten of God the Father,
O first child of Mary the Virgin,
O Son of David,
O Son of Abraham,
O beginning of all,
O end of the world,
O Word of God,
O jewel of the heavenly kingdom,
O life of all,
О eternal truth,
О image, О likeness, О figure of God the Father,
О hand of God,
О arm of God,
О strength of God,
О right hand of God,
О true wisdom,
О true light that enlightens all darkness,
О guiding light,
О sun of truth,
О morning star,
О radiance of the Godhead,
О splendor of the eternal light,
О intelligence of the mystic world,
О mediator of all men,
О betrothed of the Church,
О faithful shepherd of the flock,
О expectation of the faithful,
О angel of the great counsel,
О true prophet,
О true apostle,
О true teacher,
О high priest,
О master,
О Nazarene,
О fair-haired one,
О ever living satisfaction,
О tree of life,
О true vine,
О sprout of the root of Jesse,
О King of Israel,
О Savior,
О door of the world,
О chosen flower of the plain,
О lily of the valleys,
О rock of strength,
О cornerstone,
О heavenly Zion,
О foundation of faith,
О innocent lamb,
О diadem,
О silent sheep,
О redeemer of humanity,
О true God,
О true man,
О lion,
О ox,
О eagle,
О crucified Christ,
О judge of Doom,
have mercy on us!

Have mercy on us,
О almighty God,
О Holy Spirit!
О Spirit that is nobler than all Spirits,
О finger of God,
О guard of the Christians,
О comforter of the sorrowful,
О gentle one,
О merciful intercessor,
О giver of true wisdom,
О author of Holy Scripture,
О ruler of speech,
О sevenfold Spirit,
О Spirit of wisdom,
О Spirit of understanding,
О Spirit of counsel,
О Spirit of strength,
О Spirit of knowledge,
О Spirit of gentleness,
О Spirit of awe,
О Spirit of charity,
О Spirit of grace,
О Spirit by whom all high things are ordained,
have mercy on us.

O Father, O Son, O Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us, eternal God,
O God in heaven, have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, O glorious God,
Trinity glorious, ruling the circle of the earth.
O God, to your name be honor and praise,
now and forever. Amen.

May the almighty God be magnified in all the earth.

Source: Litany of the Trinity by Mugron, d. 980-981.

Source of this version: Kuno Meyer in Hibernica Minora, 1894, p. 43-44

Original in old Irish:

Mugrón, comarba Coluim cille, hec uerba composuit de Trinitate.

Airchis dín, a Dé Athair uili-cumachtaig,
A Dé na slóg,
A Dé uasail,
A thigerna in domuin,
A Dé díaisneithe,
A duilemuin na ndúl,
A Dé nem-aicside,
A Dé nem-chorpdai,
A Dé nem-mitte,
A Dé nem-toimside,
A Dé nem-foiditnich,
A Dé nem-thruailnide,
A Dé nem-marbdai,
A Dé nem-chumscaigthe,
A Dé shuthain,
A Dé foirpthe,
A Dé trocair,
A Dé adhamraigthe,
A Dé aduathmair,
[A De in talman,
A De na teined,
A De na nusqui nexamail,
A Dhe ind aeoir [fh]uasnadaigh & rethanaig,
A De na nil-berlada im chrunni in talman,
A Dé na tonn a thec imdomhain inn aiceoin,
A Dhe na nairdreannach, & na nuili rinn étrocht,
A Dhe, ro thebestar in maisi, ro thinns[c]nastar la & aidchi,
A De ro thigernastar ar ifern cona daoscor-sluag,
A Dé ro follamnaighes co narcainglib,]
A maith forordai,
A Athair nemdai fail i nimib,
Airchis din.

[Ad Christum hec uerba pertinent.]
Airchis dín, a Dé uili-chumachtaig, a Isu Crist, a meic Dé bi,
A meic ro genair fo di,
A oen-geinne Dé Athar,
A prim-geinne Maire oige,
A meic Dauid
A meic Abraham
A thosach na nuili,
A forcend an domuin,
A Briathar Dé,
A shét na flatha némdai,
A betha na nuili,
A fírinne tshuthain,
A immhaigin, a chosmailes, a dealb Dé Athar,
A lám Dé,
A dóit Dé,
A nert Dé,
A deis Dé,
A fhir-ecnai,
A fhir-shoillsi cena soillsiges cech ndorchai,
A sholus taircedaig,
A grian na fírinde,
A rétla matindai,
A delrad na deachta,
A thaitnem na soillsi suthaine,
[A thopur in bethad bith-buain,]
A thuicsi an betha rundai,
A etirsidaigthe na nuile duine,
A thairngertaig na hecailse,
A oegaire tairise an treoid,
A frescisiu na niresech,
A aingil na comairli móire,
A fhir-faith,
A fhir-abstail,
A fhir-forcetlaid,
A uasal-shacairt,
A Maigistir,
A Nasarda,
A glan-mongaich,
A shasad bith-béo,
A bile an betha[d],
[A fhir-nem],
A fhir-fhinemain,
A flesc do freim Iesse,
A rí Israel,
A shlainicid,
A dorus an betha[d]
A blath togaide in maige,
A lil na nglenn,
A ail na sonairte,
A cloch uillech,
A Sion nemdai,
A fotha na hirse,
A uain ennaic,
A mind,
A choera cennais,
A thathchrithid in chiniud[a] daon[d]a,
A fír-De,
A fhír-duine,
A leo,
A oc-daim,
A aquil,
A Christ crochdai,
A brithem bratha,
Airchis dín.

[Hec uerba ad Spiritum Sanctum pertinent.]
Airchis dín a Dé uile-cumachtaig, a Spirut Noib,
A Spirut as uaisle cech spirut.
A mér Dé,
A coimed na cristaide,
A comdidantaid na toirsech,
A choen-suaraich,
A etar-guthid trocar,
A thi[d]nachtaid ind fír-ecnai,
A auctair na scribture noibe,
A airrechtaid na érlabrai,
A Spirut secht-dealbaig,
A Spirut in ecnai,
A Spirut in inntlechtai,
A Spirut na comairle,
A Spirut na sonairte,
A Spirat ind fessa,
A Spirut na báide,
A Spirut ind uamain,
A Spirut na deirce,
A Spirut ind ratha,
A Spirut on ordnigther cech nuasal,
[A Spirut loisces na cinta,
A Spirut nighes na pectha,
A Spirut naomh fhollamnaighes na huile dule, aicsidhe & nem-fhaicsidhe,
Aircis dim,
A Dhe uili-cumachtaig, ind Athair nemdha, & a Meic aon-geine,
Aircis dim.
Aircis dim, a Athair, a Meic, a Spirut naom.

Aircis dim a De aonda,
A De do nim, aircis dim.
Aircis dim, a De o fuilid, tria fuilid folla[m]nugud na nuile dul det, a De.
Rot be onoir & inocbail in secula seculorum. Amen.

Omnipotens Deus magnificetur in uniuersa terra, et reliqua.]

Source: https://celt.ucc.ie/published/G206009.html

A Celtic Litany

The Lorrha Missal (also called the Stowe Missal) was a book containing the texts of the mass, written in Ireland in the late 8th century. The litany below is freely modified from the Litany of St. Martin from the Lorrha Missal. It would have been prayed between the reading of the Epistle and Gospel.

Let us all pray to the Lord.
Hear us, Lord, and have mercy.

With all our heart and mind,
to the Lord who looks over the earth and makes it tremble,
let us pray:
Lord, have mercy.

For blessed peace and most tranquil times for us,
for the holy church to extend from our borders to the ends of the earth,
let us pray:
Lord, have mercy.

For our pastors, teachers, servants,
and all leaders in our church,
let us pray:
Lord, have mercy.

For this place and those who live in it,
for faithful leaders,
and for all who serve to defend our land,
let us pray:
Lord, have mercy.

For those who dedicate themselves to the Lord’s service,
for the needy, for widows and orphans,
let us pray:
Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel by land, sea and air,
for those striving to live lives of repentance,
for those instructed in the Christian faith,
let us pray:
Lord, have mercy.

For those who bear fruits of mercy in Christ’s holy church,
let us pray:
Hear us, Lord almighty.

That we may live in the Christian faith and die in peace,
let us pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.

That God’s kingdom may remain among us,
that his will be done among us in the holy bonds of charity,
let us pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.

To preserve the Christian faith among us in all holiness and purity,
let us pray.
Lord, hear our prayer.

O Lord,
cleanse us from all our sins,
and restore us in your sight.
Graciously hear our prayers
and receive our praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from The Litany of Supplication of St. Martin in the Lorrha-Stowe Missal, p. 6-7. Translated and prepared for A Collection of Prayers. The closing prayer is a very free adaptation of the litany’s closing collect.

Original in Latin:

Lorrha Litany.png

A more literal translation of all the petitions may be found here: http://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Other/stowe.htm

Litany of the Resurrection (1)

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

O Christ, hear us.

God, the Father in 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.

Jesus, Redeemer of mankind,
Jesus, Conqueror of sin and Satan,
Jesus, triumphant over Death,
Jesus, the Holy and the Just,
Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life,
Jesus, the Giver of grace,
Jesus, the Judge of the world,
who laid down your life for your sheep,
who rose again the third day,
who showed yourself to your chosen,
appearing to Mary Magdalene while she wept,
sending your angels to the holy women,
comforting the Eleven,
saying to them, “Peace,”
breathing on them the Holy Spirit,
confirming the faith of Thomas,
commanding Peter to feed your lambs and sheep,
speaking of the Kingdom of God, have mercy on us.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.

That we may walk in newness of life,
that we may advance in the knowledge of you,
that we may grow in grace,
that we may always have the bread of life,
that we may persevere to the end,
that we may have confidence before you at your coming,
that we may behold your face with joy,
that we may be placed at your right hand in the judgment,
that we may have our place with the saints, hear us, good Lord.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us your peace.

O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen.

Christ is risen, Alleluia.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Let us pray

O God, by your only Son you overcame death and opened the way to eternal life for us. Confirm us by your grace, that we may always walk as your people who who have been redeemed from their sins; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Based on ‘Litany of the Resurrection’ by John Henry Newman.

Litany of the Passion (3)

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

O Christ, 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.

Jesus, the eternal Wisdom,
Jesus, the Word made flesh,
Jesus, hated by the world,
Jesus, sold for thirty pieces of silver,
Jesus, prostrate in prayer,
Jesus, strengthened by an angel,
Jesus, agonizing in a bloody sweat,
Jesus, betrayed by Judas with a kiss,
Jesus, bound by the soldiers,
Jesus, forsaken by your disciples, have mercy on us.

Jesus, before Annas and Caiaphas,
Jesus, struck by a servant on the face,
Jesus, accused by false witnesses,
Jesus, declared worthy of death,
Jesus, spit upon in the face,
Jesus, blindfolded,
Jesus, smitten on the cheek,
Jesus, thrice denied by Peter,
Jesus, delivered up to Pilate,
Jesus, despised and mocked by Herod,
Jesus, clothed in a white garment,
Jesus, rejected for Barabbas,
Jesus, torn by scourges,
Jesus, bruised for our sins, have mercy on us.

Jesus, covered with a purple robe,
Jesus, crowned with thorns,
Jesus, struck with a reed,
Jesus, demanded for crucifixion,
Jesus, condemned to death,
Jesus, given up to your enemies,
Jesus, laden with the Cross,
Jesus, led as a lamb to the slaughter,
Jesus, stripped of your garments,
Jesus, fastened with nails to the Cross,
Jesus, wounded for our iniquities,
Jesus, praying for your murderers,
Jesus, counted with the wicked,
Jesus, blasphemed on the Cross,
Jesus, reviled by the malefactor,
Jesus, giving Paradise to the thief, have mercy on us.

Jesus, commending Saint John to your Mother as her son,
Jesus, forsaken by your Father,
Jesus, given gall and vinegar to drink,
Jesus, testifying that all things written concerning you were accomplished,
Jesus, commending your spirit into the hands of your Father,
Jesus, obedient even unto death,
Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Jesus, made a propitiation for us,
Jesus, taken down from the Cross,
Jesus, laid in the tomb,
Jesus, rising gloriously from the dead,
Jesus, ascending into heaven,
Jesus, our Advocate with the Father,
Jesus, sending down the Holy Spirit,
Jesus, who shall come to judge the living and the dead, have mercy on us.

Be gracious to us. Spare us, good Lord.
Be gracious to us. Help us, good Lord.

From every evil,
from every sin,
from anger, hatred, and every evil will,
from war, famine, and pestilence,
from all dangers of mind and body,
from everlasting death, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

Through your most pure conception,
through your miraculous nativity,
through your humble circumcision,
through your baptism and fasting,
through your labors and watchings,
through your cruel scourging and crowning,
through your thirst, and tears, and nakedness,
through your precious death and Cross,
through your glorious resurrection and ascension,
through your sending forth the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
in the day of judgment, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.

That you would spare us,
that you would pardon us,
that you would bring us to true penance,
that you would pour into our hearts the grace of the Holy Spirit,
that you would defend and propagate your Church,
that you would preserve and increase all societies assembled in your holy Name,
that you would bestow upon us true peace, humility, and charity,
that you would give us perseverance in grace and in your holy service,
that you would deliver us from unclean thoughts, the temptations of the devil, and everlasting damnation,
that you would unite us to the company of your Saints,
that you would graciously hear us, hear us, O Lord.

O Christ, hear us.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, you sent your only Son to be the Savior of the world, and your justice was satisfied by his blood. Grant that we may value the price of our salvation, and by its might be defended from the evils of this present life on earth, that in heaven we may rejoice in its everlasting fruit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Modified from http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Litanies/passion.htm and Litany of the Passion by John Henry Newman, d. 1890.

Litany of the Passion
by John Henry Newman

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, 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 Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, the eternal Wisdom,
the Word made flesh,
hated by the world,
sold for thirty pieces of silver,
sweating blood in your agony,
betrayed by Judas,
forsaken by your disciples,
struck upon the cheek,
accused by false witnesses,
spit upon in the face,
denied by Peter,
mocked by Herod,
scourged by Pilate,
rejected for Barabbas,
loaded with the cross,
crowned with thorns,
stripped of your garments,
nailed to the tree,
reviled by the Jews,
scoffed at by the malefactor,
wounded in the side,
shedding your last drop of blood,
forsaken by your Father,
dying for our sins,
taken down from the cross,
laid in the tomb,
rising gloriously,
ascending into heaven,
sending down the Paraclete,
Jesus our Sacrifice,
Jesus our Mediator,
Jesus our Judge, have mercy on us.

Be merciful.
Spare us, O Lord.

Be merciful.
Graciously hear us, O Lord.

From all sin,
from all evil,
from anger and hatred,
from malice and revenge,
from unbelief and hardness of heart,
from blasphemy and sacrilege,
from hypocrisy and covetousness,
from blindness of the understanding,
from contempt of your warnings,
from relapse after your judgments,
from danger of soul and body,
from everlasting death, Lord Jesus, deliver us.

We sinners, beseech you, hear us.

That you would spare us,
that you would pardon us,
that you would defend your Church,
that you would bless your own,
that you would convert your foes,
that you would spread the truth,
that you would destroy error,
that you would break to pieces false gods,
that you would increase your elect,
that you would unite us to your Saints above, we beseech you, hear us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
Because through your holy cross you redeemed the world.

Let us pray,

O God,
for the redemption of the world
you were pleased to be born,
to be circumcised,
to be rejected, betrayed and bound,
to be led to the slaughter;
to be shamefully gazed at, falsely accused and scourged,
to be spit upon, crowned with thorns, mocked and reviled,
to be pushed and struck with rods,
to be stripped and nailed to the cross,
to be counted among the transgressors,
to drink gall and vinegar,
to be pierced with a lance.
Through your most holy passion,
which we, your sinful servants, remember,
and by your holy cross and gracious death
deliver us from the pains of hell,
and lead us where you led the thief
who was crucified with you,
where with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign,
now and forever.
Amen.

Hear the Prayers of Your People

O God,
you are angry with those who sin against you,
but you spare those who are penitent.
Hear the prayers of your people who call to you.
Though we have justly deserved the scourges of your anger,
deliver us from your anger in your mercy;
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Collect from Litany of the Saints

In traditional English:

O God, who art wroth with them that sin against Thee, and sparest them that art penitent: we beseech Thee to hear the prayers of Thy people that call upon Thee; that we, which have most justly deserved the scourges of Thine anger, may by Thy great mercy be delivered from the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.

In the original Latin:

Deus, qui culpa offenderis, paenitentia placaris : preces populi tui supplicantis propitius respice; et flagella tuae iracundiae, quae pro peccatis nostris meremur, averte.

Litany of Repentance

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

O Christ, hear us.

God, the Father in 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.

Incarnate Lord,
Lover of souls,
Savior of sinners,
who came to seek and save those who were lost,
who fasted for them forty days and nights, have mercy on us.

By your tenderness towards Adam when he fell,
by your faithfulness to Noah in the ark,
by your remembrance of Lot in the midst of sinners,
by your mercy on the Israelites in the desert,
by your forgiveness of David after his confession,
by your patience with the Ninevites when they repented in sackcloth and ashes,
by sending John to go before you as the preacher of repentance,
by your testimony about the tax collector who hung his head and smote his breast,
by your welcome given to the returning Prodigal,
by your gentleness with the woman of Samaria,
by your mercy towards Zacchæus, leading him to return what he had stolen,
by your pity on the woman taken in adultery,
by your mercy to Magdalene, who loved much,
by your converting look, at which Peter wept,
by your gracious words to the thief on the cross, have mercy on us.

We poor sinners pray, hear us, Lord God.

That we may submit to your loving discipline,
that we may bring forth fruits of repentance,
that sin may not reign in our mortal bodies,
that we may work out our salvation with fear and trembling, hear us, Lord God.

Son of God, hear us.

O Christ, hear us.

O Lord, hear our prayer.
and let our cry come before you.

Let us pray.

O Lord, give your faithful people pardon and peace that they may be cleansed from all their offences and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Based on ‘Litany of Penance’ by John Henry Newman.

The Litany of Gelasius

Gelasius was the bishop of Rome (or Pope) from 492-496, and is best known for his Gelasian Sacramentary, the second oldest known book of Christian liturgy.

Hear us, Lord, and have mercy.

With every conﬁdence
we call on the Father of the Only-Begotten,
the Son of the eternal Father,
and our Lord the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy.

For the Church of the living God
everywhere throughout the world,
we appeal to the God who is rich in goodness.
Lord, have mercy.

For the servants of God
who stand at his sacred altar
and for all people who worship the true God,
we offer our prayers to Christ the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who preach the Word of truth as they ought,
we pray with special earnestness to God’s Word
who was made flesh for his inﬁnite wisdom.
Lord, have mercy.

For all who keep themselves pure in soul and body
for the sake of the kingdom of heaven,
who spend themselves in God’s service,
we implore the Giver of spiritual gifts.
Lord, have mercy.

For Christians in public ofﬁce
who labor for justice and equity,
we pray to the omnipotent God.
Lord, have mercy.

For mild and pleasant weather,
for rain at the time it is needed,
for healthy and gentle winds
and for the seasons to follow one another to our advantage,
we pray to the Ruler of the universe.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who have acquired some knowledge of Christianity
and the desire to grow in God’s heavenly grace,
we beg the all-powerful God to show his mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

For those afflicted by the frailty and weakness of human nature,
we ask our Redeemer’s mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

For those who are forced to live abroad,
those persecuted by rulers who wield their power unjustly,
and those harassed by enemies,
we pray to our Lord and Savior.
Lord, have mercy.

For those deceived by false teaching and crooked reasoning,
and for those sunk in superstition,
we make our prayer to the God of truth.
Lord, have mercy.

For those whose faith moves them to help the poor in their needs,
we pray to the Lord to show his great mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

For all who enter the doors of this holy house,
and for those assembled here now in humble devotion,
we offer our prayers to the Lord in his glory.
Lord, have mercy.

For the cleansing of our bodies and souls
and the forgiveness of all our sins,
we pray to the God of boundless compassion.
Lord, have mercy.

In remembrance of all the faithful,
especially those ministers of the Lord who have served this church,
we give thanks to the Lord of the spirits and Judge of all ﬂesh.
Thanks be to God.

Bodies dead to sin and souls alive by faith:
Grant us, O Lord.

Holy fear and true love:
Grant us, O Lord.

Lives that please you, deaths that cling to you:
Grant us, O Lord.

Brothers and sisters in the faith to console us,
angels to carry us to peace:
Grant us, O Lord.

Our lives and all that we have we owe to the Lord.
He gave them, he increased them,
he gives us the means to sustain them.
To his mercy and providence we commend ourselves.
Lord, have mercy. Amen.

Source: Unknown. Included in a handout at a past WELS National Worship Conference, “Being General in the General Prayer.” Modified and edited. The petition “In remembrance…” is modified to be a thanksgiving in remembrance of the faithful departed.

Note: There are several versions of the Litany of Pope Gelasius. The one presented here was chosen for A Collection of Prayers because it is the longest and most complete in its petitions when compared with the original below. Other versions of the Litany of Pope Gelasius can be viewed at these links below:

Original in Latin:

DEPRECATIO QUAM PAPA GELASIUS PRO UNIVERSALI ECCLESIA CONSTITUIT CANENDAM ESSE

Dicamus omnes: Domine exaudi et miserere

Patrem Unigeniti et Dei Filium Genitoris ingeniti et Sanctum Deum Spiritum fidelibus animis invocamus — Kyrie eleison

I — Pro immaculata Dei vivi ecclesia, per totum orbem constituta divinae bonitatis opulentiam deprecamur — Kyrie eleison

II — Pro sanctis Dei magni sacerdotibus et ministris sacri altaris cunctisque Deum verum colentibus populis Christum Dominum supplicamus — Kyrie eleison

III — Pro universis rette tractantibus verbum veritatis multiformem Verbi Dei sapientiam peculiariter obsecramus — Kyrie eleison

IV — Pro his qui se mente et corpore propter caelorum regna castificant, et spiritalium labore desudant, largitorem spiritalium munerum obsecramus — Kyrie eleison

V — Pro religiosis principibus omnique militia eorum, qui iustitiam et rectum iudicium diligunt, Domini potentiam obsecramus — Kyrie eleison

VI — Pro iucunditate serenitatis et opportunitate pluviae atque aurarum vitalium blandimentis ac diversorum temporum prospero cursu rectorem mundi Dominum deprecamur — Kyrie eleison

VII — Pro his quos prima christiani nominis initiavit agnitio, quos iam desiderium gratiae caelestis accendit, omnipotentis Dei misericordiam obsecramus — Kyrie eleison

VIII — Pro his quos humanae infirmitatis fragilitas, et quos nequitiae spiritalis invidia, vel varius saeculi error involvit, Redemptoris nostri misericordiam imploramus — Kyrie eleison

IX — Pro his, quos peregrinationis necessitar, aut iniquae potestatis oppressio vel hostilitatis vexat aerumna, Salvatorem Dominum supplicamus — Kyrie eleison

X — Pro iudaica falsitate… aut haeretica pravitate deceptis vel gentilium superstitione perfusis veritatis Dominum deprecamur — Kyrie eleison

XI — Pro operariis pietatis et his, qui necessitatibus laborantum fraterna caritate subveniunt, misericordiarum Dominum deprecamur — Kyrie eleison

XII — Pro omnibus intrantibus in haec sanctae domus Domini atria, qui religioso corde et supplici, devotione convenerunt, Dominum gloriae deprecamur — Kyrie eleison

XIII — Pro emundatione animarum corporumque nostrorum, et omnium venia peccatorum clementissimum Dominum supplicamus — Kyrie eleison

XIV — Pro refrigerio fidelium animarum, praecipue sanctorum Domini sacerdotum, qui huic ecclesiae praefuerunt catholicae, Dominum spirituum et universae carnis iudicem deprecamur — Kyrie eleison

XV — Mortificatam vitiis carnera et viventem fide animam — praesta, Domine, praesta

XVI — Castum timorem et veram dilectionem — praesta, Domine, praesta

XVII — Gratum vitae ordinem et probabilem exitum — praesta, Domine, praesta

XVIII — Angelum pacis et solatia sanctorum — praesta, Domine, praesta.

Nosmetipsos et omnia nostra, quae orto quae aucta per Dominum ipso auctore suscipimus, ipso custode retinemus, ipsiusque misericordiae et arbitrio providentiae commendamus

— Domine miserere.

A Short Litany

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

O Christ, hear us.

God, the Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Be gracious to us. Spare us, good Lord.
Be gracious to us. Help us, good Lord.

From every sin,
from every error,
from every evil,
from the devil’s lies and cunning,
from eternal death, deliver us, good Lord.

By the mystery of the holy incarnation,
by your holy birth,
by your baptism, fasting and temptation,
by your agony and bloody sweat,
by your cross and suffering,
by your death and burial,
by your resurrection and ascension,
by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Counselor,
in all times of trouble,
in all times of prosperity,
in the hour of death, help us, good Lord.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, hear us.

Source: The Short Litany, prescribed for Good Friday, in Allgemeines evangelisches Gesang- und Gebetbuch zum Kirchen und Hausgebrauch, Hamburg, 1846, p. 536-537

This litany is shortened from Martin Luther’s Latin Litany Corrected, which is an adaptation of the Litany of All Saints.

Original in German:

Kyrie eleison:
Christe eleison!
Kyrie eleison:

Christe erhöre uns!

Herr Gott Vater im Himmel: Erbarm Dich über uns!
Herr Gott Sohn, der Welt Heiland: Erbarm Dich über uns!
Herr Gott heiliger Geist: Erbarm Dich über uns!

Sei uns gnädig: Verschon uns, lieber Herre Gott!
Sei uns gnädig: Hilf uns, lieber Herre Gott!

Vor allen Sünden:
Vor allem Irrsal;
Vor allem Uebel:
Vor des Teufels Trug und List;
Vor dem ewigen Tod: Behüt uns, lieber Herre Gott!

Durch das Geheimniß Deiner heiligen Menschwerdung:
Durch Deine heilige Geburt;
Durch Deine Taufe, Fasten und Versuchung:
Durch Deinen Todeskampf und blutigen Schweiß;
Durch Dein Kreuz und Leiden:
Durch Deinen Tod und Begräbnis) ;
Durch Dein heiliges Auferstehn und Himmelfahrt:
Durch die Zukunft des heiligen Geistes;
In allen Stunden der Anfechtung:
In der Zeit der Wohlfahrt;
In unserer letzten Noch: Hilf uns, lieber Herre Gott!

O Jesu Christe, Gottes Sohn: Erhör uns, lieber Herre Gott!

O Du Gottes Lamm, das der Welt Sünde trägt: Erbarm Dich über uns!

O Du Gottes Lamm! das der Welt Sünde trägt: Verleih uns steten Fried!
Amen.