LITANY OF THE HOLY CROSS
Of Medieval origin, this litany has come down to us from many lands, and was especially popular in Germany. A translation in 1875 was approved by Cardinal Franchi, then Prefect of Propaganda Fidei. Some of the terms used, hailing the Cross as “Mistress of youth” and “Buckler impenetrable”, while understood in the Middle Ages, may sound odd to moderns. The litany should be said not as though addressed directly to the inanimate cross, but as spoken to Him Who hangs thereon, that through our salute to the chief instrument of His Passion He will be merciful to us. I have inserted the two salutations indicated by “In unison”: the first is St. Anthony of Padua’s Breve, or exorcism through the Holy Cross; the second is said between the Gradual and Gospel on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sept. 14). - Source: Kyrie Eleison, 200 Litanies- Benjamin Francis Musser, O.F.M. 1944
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord 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 Ghost our Advocate, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Please respond: Save us, O Holy Cross.
Holy Cross whereon the Lamb of God was offered,
Hope of Christians,
Pledge of the resurrection of the dead,
Shelter of persecuted innocence,
Guide of the blind,
Way of those who have gone astray,
Staff of the lame,
Consolation of the poor,
Restraint of the powerful,
Destruction of the proud,
Refuge of sinners,
Trophy of victory over hell,
Terror of demons,
Mistress of youth,
Succor of the distressed,
Hope of the hopeless,
Star of the mariner,
Harbor of the wrecked,
Rampart of the besieged,
Father of the orphans,
Defense of widows,
Counsel of the just,
Judge of the wicked,
Rest of the afflicted,
Safeguard of childhood,
Strength of manhood,
Last hope of the aged,
Light of those who sit in darkness,
Splendor of kings,
Civilizer of the world,
Buckler impenetrable,
Wisdom of the foolish,
Liberty of slaves,
Knowledge of the ignorant,
Sure rule of life,
Heralded by prophets,
Preached by apostles,
Glory of martyrs,
Study of anchorites,
Chastity of virgins,
Joy of priests,
Foundation of the Church,
Salvation of the world,
Destruction of idolatry,
Stumbling block of the Jews,
Condemnation of the ungodly,
Support of the weak,
Medicine of the sick,
Health of the leprous,
Strength of the paralytic,
Bread of the hungry,
Fountain of those that thirst,
Clothing of the naked,
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: 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. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee:
R. Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
(In unison) : Behold the Cross of the Lord! Begone ye evil powers!
Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered!
(Sign of the Cross) Alleluia!
Let us pray.
O God, Who, for the redemption of the world, was pleased to be born in a stable and to die upon a cross; O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy holy sufferings, which we, Thy unworthy servants, call to mind: by Thy Holy Cross, and by Thy death, deliver us from the pains of hell, and vouchsafe to conduct us whither Thou didst conduct the good thief who was crucified with Thee. Who lives and reigns eternally in heaven.
R. Amen.
(In unison): Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the Burden which thou
bearest; for thou alone, O Holy Cross, was worthy to bear the King and Lord
of Heaven. Amen.