10/26/09

Litany of the Saints for November 1, 2009

November 1 is the Solemnity of All Saints and this year it falls on this coming Sunday. As has been the custom in my parish for some time, we will sing the Litany of the Saints on this day. The musical setting we use is the composition of John Becker. Unfortunately, the video above is poor on the visual. The audio, however, is quite clear. Below are the words for this litany. Praying this ahead of time might be helpful in preparing for this feast even if your parish won't be singing the litany. (Note: singing this litany is an addition to, not a required element of the All Saints Day liturgy.)
LITANY OF THE SAINTS John D. Becker Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 1. Mary and Joseph, pray for us. Michael and all angels, pray for us. Anna, Joachim, Elizabeth, pray for us. Elijah, Moses, John the Baptist, pray for us. Isaac, Sarah, Abraham, pray for us. Jacob, Joseph, Samuel, pray for us. Ruth, David and Solomon, pray for us. Isaiah, Jeremiah, pray for us. All you holy men and women, pray for us. 2. Peter, Paul, Andrew, pray for us. James, John, and all apostles, pray for us. Mary Magdalene, Veronica, pray for us. Barnabas, Matthias, pray for us. Stephen, Philip, and Cornelius, pray for us. Prisca and Aquila, pray for us. Timothy and Titus, pray for us. Linus, Cletus, and Clement,pray for us. All you holy men and women, pray for us. 3. Lawrence and Chrysogonus, pray for us. Innocent, and Boniface, pray for us. Hippolytus and Origen, pray for us. Athanasius and Basil, pray for us. Felicity, Perpetua, pray for us. Cosmos and Damien, pray for us. John, Chrysostom, and Justin, pray for us. Lucy, Agatha, and Agnes, pray for us. All you holy men and women, pray for us. 4. Jerome and Eusebius, pray for us. Scholastica and Benedict, pray for us. Ambrose, Monica, Augustine, pray for us. Martin and Gregory, pray for us. Clare, Francis, and Dominic, pray for us. Francis Xavier, Ignatius, pray for us. Elizabeth and Catherine, pray for us. Louis and Wenceslaus*, pray for us. All you holy men and women, pray for us. 5. Lord, be merciful, save your people. From all evil, save your people. From every sin, save your people. From everlasting death, save your people. By your incarnation, save your people. By your death and resurrection, save your people. By your gift of the Spirit, save your people. Have mercy on us sinners, save your people. Christ, hear us. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. (The following section is not included in the video.) 6. Lord, give new life, hear our prayer. To these chosen, hear our prayer. By the grace of baptism, hear our prayer. O Jesus, Son of the living God, our prayer. Send your Spirit, hear our prayer. In its fullness, hear our prayer. On your sons and daughters, hear our prayer. Who believe and profess you, hear our prayer. Christ, hear us. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. *In this recording, Wenceslaus is changed to Matthew. Copyright © 1987 by OCP Publications, Portland, OR, 97213. All rights reserved.

9 comments:

  1. my favorite. can't wait for Sunday

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  2. This one never fails to move me. I look forward to Holy Family's version each year; it makes me feel so connected, protected, and part of something greater.

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  3. Is there any place that provides a guide as to who each person is in the Becker version of the Litany of the Saints?

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  4. With the exception of Origen, I believe all those in the Becker litany are in the traditional litany of the saints. I don't have time at the moment but I'll bet if you Google "litany of the saints" you'll find what you're looking for.

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  5. Nice thank you. I think I do prefer the traditional litany, though.

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  6. How I miss the way HFP does the Litany. It has to be one of the most beautiful renditions there is. You can almost feel all the saints just surround you. This year I have to ask our Music Director to please, please, please use this rendition instead of the traditional one.

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  7. Seems to me that this Johnny-one-note number is less musically interesting than the chant version.

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  8. I love this litany. A shortened version is used at funeral liturgies at my work parish. The family goes up to the altar to sign the memorial book and then walks over to the memorial wall, where we have small wooden crosses with the names of the deceased hanging.

    Fran

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  9. This is absolutely beautiful -- today on All Saints Day and every day!

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