Litany of the Saints
 | The Litany of the Saints is one of the oldest prayers in continuous use in the Catholic Church. Forms of it were used in the East as early as the third century, and the litany as we know it today was largely in place by the time of Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Most commonly recited on All Saints Day, the Litany of the Saints is an excellent prayer for use throughout the year, especially at those times during which we need special guidance or graces. Like all litanies, it is designed to be recited communally, but it can be prayed alone. When recited in a group, one person should lead, and everyone else should make the italicized responses. Each response should be recited at the end of each line, until a new response is indicated. (Left - Extract from The Litany of the Saints from The Hunterian Psalter, a twelfth century illuminated manuscript, thought to have been produced in England c. 1170. It is regarded as the greatest treasure of William Hunter's (1718-83) magnificent library of books and manuscripts) |