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Rosaries inspired by the
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and the
Holy House of Loreto
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"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."
Pius IX
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See our
catalog
for available rosaries and chaplets.
Below are examples of previous designs.
Write
us to inquire about a custom design!
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Mystical Rose
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Seat of Wisdom
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Cause of Our Joy
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~ Gallery ~ |
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Spiritual Vessel
(Shrine of the Spirit)
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House of Gold
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Gate of Heaven
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Tower of Ivory
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Tower of David
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Ark of the Covenant
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Mirror Of Justice
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Vessel of Honor
(Glory of Israel)
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Morning Star
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This collection of rosaries and chaplets was inspired by the
symbolic titles of Our Lady in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(also known as the Litany of Loreto)
Available again by special order; please
inquire
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Coming soon:
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Singular Vessel of Devotion
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Litany of Loreto
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.
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The Composition and Meaning of the Litany of Loreto
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The only thus approved Marian litany is that of Loreto.
The Litanies of Loreto, so called because of their use in the sanctuary of Loreto
since at least as far back as 1531, were officially approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus
V. Its origin is believed to be a medieval rimed litany (see Paris manuscript
Nat. lat. 5267, fol., 80r) influenced by Eastern Marian devotion, in particular by
the famous Hymnos Akasthistos. Contrasting with the older Litany of All
Saints, the Loreto Litanies are purely ad- or invocational litanies. However,
as can be observed, for example, in the so called Officia Mariana, many more Marian
Litanies were and are in use but destined for private devotion.
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Modern Advocations
The 1587 version of
the litany of Loreto was subsequently enriched with new advocations.
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1675
1883
1903
1917
1950
1980
1995
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Queen of the most Holy Rosary (for the
confraternities of the Holy Rosary).
Queen conceived without original sin (Leo XIII for the whole church)
Mother of Good Council (Leo XIII)
Queen of Peace (Benedict XV)
Queen assumed into Heaven (Pius XII)
Mother of the Church (John Paul II)
Queen of Families (John Paul II)
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The Composition and Meaning of the Litany of Loreto
The Litanies of Loreto are structured as
follows:
1. Mary's Holiness -Three
introductory advocations highlighting Mary's sanctity as person (Sancta Maria), her
role as mother of Jesus Christ (Sancta Dei Genitrix), and her vocation as virgin
(Sancta Virgo Virginum). Mary's sanctity is stressed.
2. Mary, the Mother -Twelve
advocations referring to Mary as Mother. The purpose of this series of
advocations is to highlight the various facets of Mary's role as mother. Some
of these advocations, especially at the beginning and at the end of the series, are
referring explicitly to her maternal activity and the addressees (Christ, the
Church. . .) of this activity Mary is:
(1) Mother of Christ (Mater Christi)
(2) Mother of the Church (Mater Ecclesiae)
(3) Mother of Divine Grace (Mater Divinae
Gratiae)
And again, at the end of the series:
(11) Mother of our Creator (Mater Creatoris)
(12) Mother of our Savior (Mater Salvatoris)
The intermediate advocations (4-10) qualify or characterize
the person of Mary as mother, with adjectives mainly:
(4) Mother most pure (Mater purissima)
(5) Mother most chaste (Mater castissima)
(6) Mother inviolate (Mater inviolata)
(7) Mother undefiled (Mater intemerata)
(8) Mother most amiable (Mater amabilis)
(9) Mother most admirable (Mater admirabilis)
(10) Mother of good counsel (Mater boni consilii)
[Mother of fair love
(Mater pulchrae dilectionis)]
Mary attracts love and admiration, and she is of good counsel, but most of the
characteristics mentioned (4-7) refer to the miraculous and virginal birth of
Jesus.
3. Mary, the Virgin -
The advocations of Mary Mother are followed by six titles extolling her as
Virgin. They not only stress the merit of her virginity: Virgin most prudent
(Virgo prudentissima), virgin most venerable (Virgo veneranda), Virgin most renowned
(Virgo praedicanda), but also the "efficacy" of virginity. Mary is
Virgin most powerful (Virgo potens), Virgin most merciful (Virgo clemens), and
Virgin most faithful (Virgo fidelis).
4. Symbols of Mary - We
then have 13 symbolic advocations, mostly taken from the Old Testament and applied
to Mary to highlight her virtues and her eminent role in salvation history:
(1) Mirror of Justice (Speculum justitiaé)
(2) Seat of wisdom (Sedes sapientiae)
(3) Cause of our joy (Causa nostrae laetitiae)
(4) Spiritual vessel (Vas spirituale)
(5) Vessel of Honor (Vas honorabile)
(6) Singular vessel of devotion (Vas insigne devotionis)
(7) Mystical rose (Rosa mystica)
(8) Tower of David (Turris davidica)
(9) Tower of Ivory (Turris eburnea)
(10) House of Gold (Domus aurea)
(11) Ark of the Covenant (Foederis arca)
(12) Gate of Heaven (Janua coeli)
(13) Morning Star (Stella matutina)
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5. Mary, the Helper
-The group of four advocations that follows extol Mary's role as advocate for
spiritual and corporal works of mercy. She is:
(1) Health of the sick (Salus infirmorum)
(2) Refuge of sinners (Refugium peccatorum)
(3) Comforter of the afflicted (Consolatrix
afflictorum)
(4) Help of Christians (Auxilium christianorum)
6. Mary, the Queen -The
last part of the Marian advocations is composed of a series of 13 titles referring
to Mary as Queen.
Mary is Queen of Saints and inhabitants of heaven:
(1) Queen of Angels (Regina Angelorum)
(2) Queen of Patriarchs (Regina Patriarcharum)
(3) Queen of Prophets (Regina Prophetarum)
(4) Queen of Apostles (Regina Apostolorum)
(5) Queen of Martyrs (Regina Martyrum)
(6) Queen of Confessors (Regina Confessorum)
(7) Queen of Virgins (Regina Virginum)
(8) Queen of all Saints (Regina Sanctorum omnium)
There are five advocations which emphasize the personal
distinction and holiness of Mary:
(9) Queen conceived without original sin (Regina
sine macula originali
concepta)
(10) Queen assumed into Heaven (Regina in caelum
assumpta)
(11) Queen of the Most Holy Rosary (Regina
sacratissimi rosarii)
(12) Queen of the Family (Regina familiarum)
(13) Queen of Peace (Regina pacis)
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Illustrations and Explanations of the
Litany of Loreto
Beginning (advocation of the Trinity) and
end (triple advocation of Christ's mercy under the title of "Lamb of God")
follow the usual structure of the litanies.
The Marian Library has in its possession illustrations of
these Marian titles. Some of the illustrations are found in old and rare
books. We would like to present one such series of illustrations taken from
Josef Sebastian Klauber, Engravings, Augsburg 176?.
Of course, these engravings do not carry the titles that
were added in the 19th and 20th centuries. The highly symbolic and
illustrative reproductions are typical of the Baroque period. Their message is
of great spiritual riches. Mary's profile is that of the exalted Queen, mother
and virgin, as suits the period. We limited ourselves to the illustrations of
the Marian titles. The reader needs to keep in mind that the titles introduced
in the 19th and 20th centuries, evidently, are not illustrated in Klauber's book.
http://www.udayton.edu/mary/prayers/litanylor.html
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History of the Holy House of Loreto
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.
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Miracle of the Holy House of Loreto
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
Italian, about 1744
Oil on canvas
Getty Art Collection
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