Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian English

Good morning, I hope this email finds you well.

I have a few general questions, dear Father:

I have a question about the Dominican litanies.

What is the origin of this beautiful tradition?  How did we come to have almost 100-odd invocations to the Madonna and what are her connection with the Dominicans?

Thank you, Father! Father of our souls, those who question

Priest’s answer

Dearest Ralph from the Philippines,

1. litania, from the Greek litaneuo, means plea.
From the beginning it was a prayer in the form of dialogue between the minister and the faithful.

In the litany God’s mercy was begged.
This form of prayer took place both in the Eucharistic celebration and in processions.

2. Initially litanies were elevated only to God.

The litanies of the saints were born later and in them the first supplication is addressed to their Queen, to the Madonna.
The litanies of the Saints are very ancient.
In the eastern liturgy they were already in use in the third century as attested by the ancient Christian historians Socrates(Historia, 6,8) and Sozomen (Historia, 8,7).

3. The litanies of the Madonna flowed later from the litanies of the saints, as a form of extension of the triple invocation with which the Madonna’s help was implored: Holy Mary, pray for us; Holy Mother of God, pray for us; Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us. The origin of the litanies of the Madonna lies at the heart of this triple invocation. They are an expansion of the titles with which she is praised and invoked in the most varied ways, often having biblical expressions or historical testimonies of Mary’s aid as a background.

4. Among the most ancient Marian litanies are those that can be read in a Mainz codex from the 12th century and which have the title Litany of our Lady Mother of God, Virgin Mary. Very effective prayer to say daily in any tribulation(Letania de Domina nostra Dei genitrice virgine Maria: Oratio valde bona pro qualunque tribulatione dicenda est”.
This litany is very long and you can find it on the internet.

On the model of this litany, other more or less long ones have been formed. Among these are the litanies that came into use among the Dominicans in the 13th century.
5. The litanies of the Mainz code always put Saint Mary followed by the laudatory title before each invocation. Same as in the Dominican litanies. In the Loreto litanies, however, Santa Maria is said only once.
Furthermore, in the Mainz code the laudatory title is always quite broad. In the Dominican litanies, however, it is always concise.

Only in one case, towards the end, do we find it extensive: Holy Mary, who extend your hand and touch our hearts to enlighten and liberate us sinners, pray for us.

6. The Dominican litanies also differ in the ending which is entirely unique and very beautiful:
Daughter of God, Mary, look at us

Joachim’s daughter, Maria, love us

Anna’s daughter, Maria, take us

Lamb of God, you bring hope, bring us to the Son

Lamb of God, join us to Him, virginal lily

Lamb of God, give the kingdom of rest, after the exile

7. The caption to the litany of the Mainz code should be highlighted: “Very effective prayer to say daily in any tribulation.”
While the Loreto litanies are recited in praise of Mary, the Dominican litanies are recited, yes, in praise of Mary but with a particular purpose: that of being freed from any tribulation.

They are effective in being defended from many imminent dangers and misfortunes.

8. As a sign of this they are concluded with the following invocation:
V. Pray for us, Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

V. Make me worthy of praising you, Holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against your enemies.

V. Lord hear my prayer
R. May my plea reach you
Let us pray
We ask you, O Lord, through the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mother of God Mary and that of all your Saints, to defend our home and family from all adversity, and protect us with clemency from the snares of enemies.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

9. I recommend you use it daily.
You will be glad and will feel the need to thank the Lord for the Dominican Order who preserved and transmitted them to us.

I know that someone recites them daily for vocations to the order of Saint Dominic.

They are effective because it is not possible that such a beautiful and prolonged invocation to the Mother of God cannot transform so many situations so as to make one capable of receiving such a precious gift from God.

I wish you all the best, I bless you and I remember you in prayer.
Father Angelo