Litany of the Holy Cross
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, our Advocate, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
(Response: Save us, O Holy Cross)
Holy Cross whereon the Lamb of God was offered,
Hope of Christians,
Pledge of the resurrection of the dead,
Shelter of persecuted innocence,
Guide of the blind,
Way of those who have gone astray,
Staff of the lame,
Consolation of the poor,
Restraint of the powerful,
Destruction of the proud,
Refuge of sinners,
Trophy of victory over Hell,
Terror of demons,
Mistress of youth,
Succour of the distressed,
Hope of the hopeless,
Star of the mariner,
Harbour of the wrecked,
Rampart of the besieged,
Father of orphans,
Defence of widows,
Counsel of the just,
Judge of the wicked,
Rest of the afflicted,
Safeguard of childhood,
Strength of manhood,
Last hope of the aged,
Light of those who sit in darkness,
Splendour of kings,
Civiliser of the world,
Shield impenetrable,
Wisdom of the foolish,
Liberty of slaves,
Knowledge of the ignorant,
Sure rule of life,
Heralded by Prophets,
Preached by Apostles,
Glory of Martyrs,
Study of hermits,
Chastity of virgins,
Joy of priests,
Foundation of the Church,
Salvation of the world,
Destruction of idolatry,
Stumbling block to the Jews,
Condemnation of the ungodly,
Support of the weak,
Medicine of the sick,
Health of the leprous,
Strength of the paralytic,
Bread of the hungry,
Fountain of those who thirst,
Clothing of the naked,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
R. Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
(Together) Behold the Cross of the Lord! Begone ye evil powers!
The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered! Alleluia!
Let Us Pray
O God, Who for the redemption of the world, wast pleased to be born in a stable and to die upon a cross; O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy holy sufferings, which we, Thy unworthy servants, call to mind: by Thy Holy Cross, and by Thy death, deliver us from the pains of Hell, and vouchsafe to conduct us whither Thou didst conduct the good thief who was crucified with Thee, Who livest and reignest eternally in Heaven.
R. Amen.
Sweet the wood, sweet the nails,
sweet the Burden which thou bearest,
for thou alone, O Holy Cross,
wast worthy to bear the King and Lord of Heaven.
R. Amen.
This litany, which has come down to us from the Middle Ages and from many countries, should not be thought to be addressed to an inanimate object, great relic though it is, but rather, to Him who hung upon it and thereby redeemed us all. By our salutation to the chief instrument of Our Lord’s Passion and death, we hope and we trust that He will show mercy to us.
