Our illustrious Pontiff Benedict XIV, speaking, in his beautiful work on the feasts of Mary, of this Holy House of Loreto, calls it 'the dwelling in which the Divine Word assumed human flesh, and which was translated by the ministry of Angels.' He then adds, that 'its authenticity is proved as well by ancient monuments and unbroken tradition as by the testimony of Sovereign Pontiffs, the common consent of the faithful, and the continual miracles which are there worked even to the present day.' In fact Tursellin, in his History of the House of Loreto, asserts that nearly all the Popes after Pius II, have spoken of its miraculous translation; and Sixtus V, in the year 1583, instituted an order under the auspices of our Blessed Lady of Loreto.
Is true that the authenticity of the Holy House does not constitute a dogma of faith. However, it is considered a historical fact and as such has been recognized by the sovereign pontiffs over the centuries even as other miraculous events have been acknowledged by the Church. As such there is valid reason in such instances for Catholics to respect and accept these rulings of the Church. The Church has always been cautious in its pronouncements. Many years passed before the Church officially accepted Lourdes and Fatima as supernatural events worthy of credence by all Catholics.
The story of the Holy House is a tale of unequaled wonder written in the stars. 700 years ago, after two prior angelic relocations, the tiny 3-sided structure was carried to its final resting place in Loreto, Italy by God's Holy Angels. As incredulous as this may sound to unbelievers, Anconan shepherds tending their flocks in coastal fields and a local monsignor were privileged eyewitnesses to this holy event.
The angelic flight of the Holy House from Nazareth across the Mediterranean via Yugoslavia to the Adriatic sea town of Loreto is known as "The Translation". It mirrors the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt and fulfills God's Will, that this heavenly sanctuary be preserved from Saracen invaders.
Beneath a narrow roof and within the hallowed walls of this humble stone abode, Jesus, Mary and Joseph once ate, confided and prayed.
Throughout the centuries, innumerable nobility, dignitaries, saints and popes have pilgrimaged to the Holy House. Tradition claims that Saint Francis of Assisi foresaw its arrival, and indicated the hilltop where it would come to rest to some of his friars. The King of Austria, ruler of the Holy League that defeated the Turks in the battle of Lepanto in 1517, brought his troops to Loreto before their history-changing victory. Upon her journey to the Holy Shrine, Saint Therese of Lisieux wrote, that if she were to live in Loreto she would surely die of joy.
The sick and infirmed from throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East come to the Holy House to pay homage to the childhood tabernacle of Christ, the place where the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Ever-Virgin Mary and our exalted Blessed Mother proclaimed her, "Yes!" to God and accepted the profound mystery of the Incarnation. "And the Word became flesh" within her womb, within this tiny chamber.
During the Renaissance, many renowned artists came to Loreto. Mozart wrote his "Litany of Loreto" inspired by the beauty of the shrine and the faithful attending its presence. Long used as a chapel to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, today the Holy House is encased within marble statuary the envy of Rome, perfectly positioned in the Basilica's center formed at the holy crossing of apse and naves, beneath a dome vaulting hearts and spirits to thoughts of the Fatherland. Within its present adornment, the Holy House of Loreto represents over 100 years of loving artistic, intellectual and spiritual achievement. It is considered a principal wonder of the Golden Era of mankind.
But far more important than all the surrounding architectural and artistic glory is the sense of "DIVINE PRESENCE" that imbues the hardest of hearts the instant they pass through its portals. Inside the Holy House, on any given day, many a soul can be found deep in contemplation and prayer. Apart from Holy Mass and the privacy of silent meditation on and with God, the only sound one hears is the gentle pressing of Rosary beads between thumbs and forefingers and the cadence of pilgrims softly rubbing and kissing rough walls hewn smooth as glass from centuries of devotion.
The first place Pope john Paul II pilgrimaged after becoming our Shepherd was Loreto. Wise to and moved by its irresistible graces, he has called Loreto, the place in which God became man, the "holiest place on earth."
May every blessing of the Holy Family be upon all who discover these pages. May the Holy Angels of Loreto carry you far from harm as they did our holy role models.
This litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary was composed during the Middle Ages. The place of honor it now holds in the life of the Church is due to its faithful use at the shrine of the Holy House at Loreto. It was definitely approved by Sixtus V in 1587, and all other Marian litanies were suppressed, at least for public use. Its titles and invocations set before us Mary's exalted privileges, her holiness of life, her amiability and power, her motherly spirit and queenly majesty.
The principle that has been followed in their interpretation is the one enunciated by the same Pius IX: "God enriched her so wonderfully from the treasury of His divinity, far beyond all angels and saints with the abundance of all heavenly gifts, that she . . .should show forth such fullness of innocence and holiness, than which a greater under God is unthinkable and which, beside God, no one can even conceive in thought."
Hence, whatever virtue and holiness is found in angels and saints must be present in Mary in an immeasurably higher degree. Reflection on the titles of the litany will unfold before us the grand picture of our heavenly Mother, even though we know only little about her life. We will also come to see why Mary's example, guidance, and help is the need of the hour.
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 Ghost, 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 divine grace, 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 Savior, 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 honor , 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.
Comforter 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 the Family, 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.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto us Thy servants, that we may rejoice in continual health of mind and body; and, by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of Thy eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
