Prayer to Our Lady of Loreto
History of the Holy House of Loreto
Our Lady of Loreto refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the "Holy House" (Santa Casa), believed to be the Nazareth home where Mary was born, raised, and received the Annunciation. Tradition holds that angels miraculously transported this house from Palestine to Italy in 1294 to save it from destruction. It is a major pilgrimage site and Our Lady of Loreto is the Patroness of aviators.
In 1291, as Crusader forces were defeated in the Holy Land, tradition says angels carried the house to Tersato (now Trsat, Croatia) before it arrived in Loreto, Italy, on December 10, 1294. Studies of the walls in Loreto confirm they are made of stone and mortar techniques specific to Palestine and the Galilee region, rather than Italian construction techniques of the 13th century.
Pope John XXIII visited the shrine in 1962, emphasizing its importance, and it is a central symbol of the Incarnation. The Basilica of the Holy House was built around the structure, which remains a major site for Catholics, with a feast day celebrated on December 10.
Litany of Loreto
While the exact origins of the Litany of Loreto are unclear, they are believed to have been composed in the late 15th or early 16th century. It is named after the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto in Italy, a famous pilgrimage site where it was recorded in use by 1558.
Pope Sixtus V authorized the litany in 1587, and it has remained a staple of Catholic Marian devotion.
Although the Congregation of Rites forbade changes in 1631 and 1664, several popes approved additions over time. Notable additions include "Queen of the most holy Rosary" (1883), "Mother of good counsel" (1903), and more recently, "Mother of Mercy," "Mother of Hope," and "Solace of Migrants" (2020).
The prayer consists of a series of invocations—such as "Holy Mary," "Mother of Christ," and "Tower of Ivory"—followed by the response "pray for us".
THE LITANY OF LORETO
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.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Mother of Mercy, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother of Hope, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honour, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Solace of Migrants, pray for us.
Comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of families, pray for us.
Queen of peace. pray for 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.
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.
Prayer to Our Lady of Loreto for Flying
Our Lady of Loreto is the patroness of aviation. Here's a prayer for your next flight asking for her intercession.
Prayer:
O Holy Mother of God, our Lady of Loreto, patroness of aviation and air travelers. We come to thank you for all the graces and benefits bestowed on us. Full of trust in your powerful intercession, we fly to you, begging for your maternal solicitude and care. Listen to our supplications for the success of this flight and all the flights we may undertake. Do bless the pilots, the flight attendants, the technicians, and all of us, passengers, placed under their care. As we piously believe that your house in Nazareth was borne by angels to Loreto, so may you also bring us all safely to our destination here on earth and to our final home in heaven. Amen.
Prayer for a Home to Our Lady of Loreto
O Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, you who were chosen to cradle the Savior of the world in the sanctuary of your blessed home, we turn to you with confidence and love.
Bless and protect our home, that it may be a place of peace, faith, and charity. Help us to model our lives after your purity and obedience, and may our family reflect the grace and virtue that abounded in your Holy House of Nazareth.
Guide us in our daily lives, that we may remain close to your Son, Jesus, and fill our home with the warmth of His love.
Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us. Amen.