LITANY
BASIC R.C. BELIEF
A prayer in the form of a responsive petition, e.g., St. Joseph, pray for us.
The chief Litanies are of the Blessed Virgin, of the Holy Name of Jesus, of the Blessed Sacrament, of the Sacred Heart, of St. Joseph, and of all the Saints.
In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, according to an Explanation of The Baltimore Catechism, page 17, "We address her first by names reminding her that she is the Mother of God and therefore has great influence with her divine Son. We say: Mother of Christ, Mother of Our Creator, Mother of Our Redeemer, etc., pray for us. Next we remind her that she is a virgin and should take pity on us who are exposed to so many temptations against holy purity. We call her virgin most pure, virgin most chaste, etc., and again ask her to pray for us. Lastly we call her all those names that could induce her to hear us. We say: health of the weak, refuge of sinners, help of Christians, pray for us."