Doors depicting an angel carrying the Holy House of Loreto, believed to be the childhood home of the Blessed Mother, are seen outside the Basilica of the Holy House in Loreto, Italy, in March 2025. The well-known Litany of Loreto, also called the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, takes its name from this devotion and basilica. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As I have shared before, when I visit classrooms in our schools or with any groups of children and young people, one of my favorite practices is to invite them to ask me questions. After so many years as bishop, the same questions become the frequently asked questions. 

Almost without exception, one of first three or four questions is “Who is your favorite saint?” Well, that’s an easy one as it gives me an opportunity to talk about the lives of the saints, to encourage devotion to the saints, and to share stories of saints they may not have heard of.

My immediate answer, however, is to note that every Catholic’s favorite saint   should be Mary, the Mother of God. Mary stands as the first among the saints, indeed “Queen of Patriarchs, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, and all Saints.”

The month of May is observed in our tradition as a month of special devotion to Mary. As a small child I enjoyed the May devotions to Mary, in part, perhaps because we sang familiar hymns to Mary that were in English. Of course, there were Latin classics like the Ave Maria and the Salve Regina, but also memorable hymns like “O Mary We Crown Thee with Blossoms Today,” and “Sing of Mary, Pure and Holy.” These songs often accompanied a procession to crown a statue of the Blessed Virgin.

The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Litany of Loreto, was composed in the Middle Ages and now holds a place of honor in the life of the Church. Apart from the rosary, it may be the best known of Marian prayers.

During May I encourage individuals and families to rediscover the recitation of the rosary. I present here the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary with many of the titles and invocations that set before us Mary’s exalted privileges. Any one of these invocations might present to us a meditation on the Mother of God and our Mother.

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, 
God the Holy Spirit, 
Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary, 
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins, 
Mother of Christ, 
Mother of the Church, 
Mother of Mercy,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother of Hope, 
Mother most pure, 
Mother most chaste, 
Mother inviolate, 
Mother undefiled, 
Mother most amiable, 
Mother admirable, 
Mother of good counsel, 
Mother of our Creator, 
Mother of our Saviour, 
Virgin most prudent, 
Virgin most venerable, 
Virgin most renowned, 
Virgin most powerful, 
Virgin most merciful, 
Virgin most faithful, 
Mirror of justice, 
Seat of wisdom, 
Cause of our joy, 
Spiritual vessel, 
Vessel of honour, 
Singular vessel of devotion, 
Mystical rose, 
Tower of David, 
Tower of ivory, 
House of gold, 
Ark of the covenant, 
Gate of heaven, 
Morning star, 
Health of the sick, 
Refuge of sinners, 
Solace of migrants,
Comfort of the afflicted, 
Help of Christians, 
Queen of angels, 
Queen of patriarchs, 
Queen of prophets, 
Queen of apostles, 
Queen of martyrs, 
Queen of confessors, 
Queen of virgins, 
Queen of all saints, 
Queen conceived without original sin, 
Queen assumed into heaven, 
Queen of the most holy rosary, 
Queen of families, 
Queen of peace.

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.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. 
Grant, we beseech thee, 
O Lord God, 
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body; 
and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, 
may be delivered from present sorrow, 
and obtain eternal joy. 
Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

Most Reverend William F. Medley
Diocese of Owensboro

Originally printed in the May 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.