May 25, 2025, 12:00 PM

One Litany of the Blessed Virgin, called the Litany of Loreto, is one of the many Marian litanies, or praises of Mary, composed during the Middle Ages. The place of honor it now holds, in the life of the Church, is due its faithful use at the shrine of the Holy House at Loreto. According to tradition, this was the small cottage-like home where the Holy Family had lived and which was miraculously transported by angels, in 1291, from the Holy Land to Loreto. Pope Sixtus V, who had entertained a singular devotion for Loreto, by the Bull "Reddituri" of July 11, 1587, gave formal approval to it. Its 49 titles (50 or 51 in some versions adding "Mother of the Church" and "Mother of Mercy" are the 'official' 'newcomers' in recent times and which are included on the Vatican website version) and invocations set before us Mary's exalted privileges, her holiness of life, her motherly spirit, and her queenly majesty. Reflection on the titles of the litany unfold before us a magnificent picture of our heavenly Mother, even though we know little about her life. The Litany of Loreto was composed in a way that was common to several Marian litanies already in existence during the second half of the fifteenth century. However, the Litany of Loreto text had the good fortune to be adopted in the famous Loreto Shrine, and in this way to become known, more than any other, to the many pilgrims who flocked there during the sixteenth century. The litany spread throughout Christianity and is with us today. It’s a great addition to our prayer lives. Now you know!