The Litany of Saints is typically sung or spoken during very auspicious occasions.
And I remember the first time I heard it sung was during Easter Vigil,
Which is a very long service in the Catholic tradition.
And I remember hearing this beautiful soprano singing it and just feeling it completely envelop me in awe and love.
But we don't have to wait for a particular occasion to at least invite these saints or these special people who have done the work of God,
Invite them into our prayer and meditation to help guide us.
And you might not believe in saints,
And that's fine,
But recognize the work that some of them have done on behalf of God.
And so it helps us to kind of let go of our selfish nature and become an offering to God in however way that God has graced us.
And for me,
I know that in times when I have been particularly challenged in my faith,
Just even recalling a name of a particular saint invites the goodness of them and the virtues of them and maybe the qualities of them into my spirit,
Into my soul,
And help use those qualities as I move forth in the world.
And so let's begin,
And you can be seated or lying down and just allow yourself to be comfortable and just drawing your shoulders down and allowing your breath to really deepen.
And we start by saying,
Lord,
Have mercy,
And you can repeat after me,
Lord,
Have mercy.
And then repeat after me,
Christ,
Have mercy,
And then again,
Lord,
Have mercy.
And now I'm going to recall a particular saint or holy person,
And after I recall their name,
Your response is pray for us,
And you can sing it.
And if you've heard the Litany of Saints in other ways,
You can chant that,
But I'm going to save you from my mourning voice.
Let's begin with Holy Mary,
Pray for us.
Saint Joseph,
Pray for us.
Saint Michael,
Pray for us.
Saint Gabriel,
Pray for us.
Saint Raphael,
Pray for us.
All you holy angels and archangels,
Pray for us.
Saint John the Baptist,
Pray for us.
All holy patriarchs and prophets,
Pray for us.
Saint Peter,
Pray for us.
Saint Paul,
Saint Andrew,
Saint James,
Saint John,
Saint Thomas,
Saint James,
Saint Paul,
Saint John,
Saint Philip,
Saint Bartholomew,
Saint Matthew,
Saint Simon,
Saint Jude,
Saint Matthias,
Saint Barnabas,
Saint Luke,
Saint Mark,
All you holy apostles and evangelists,
Pray for us.
All you holy disciples of the Lord,
Pray for us.
All you holy innocents,
Pray for us.
Saint Stephen,
Pray for us.
Saint Lawrence,
Pray for us.
Saint Vincent,
Pray for us.
Saints Fabian and Sebastian.
Saints John and Paul.
Saints Cosmos and Damien.
All you holy martyrs,
Pray for us.
Saint Sylvester.
Saint Gregory.
Saint Ambrose.
Saint Augustine.
Saint Jerome.
Saint Martin.
Saint Nicholas.
All you holy bishops and congregations,
Pray for us.
All you holy confessors,
Pray for us.
All you holy doctors,
Pray for us.
Saint Anthony,
Pray for us.
Saint Benedict,
Pray for us.
Saint Joseph,
Pray for us.
Saint Bernard.
Saint Dominic.
Saint Francis.
Saint Pio.
All you holy priests and Levites,
Pray for us.
All you holy monks and hermits,
Pray for us.
Saint Mary Magdalene,
Pray for us.
Saint Agatha,
Pray for us.
Saint Lucy,
Pray for us.
Saint Agnes.
Saint Cecilia.
Saint Anastasia.
Saint Catherine.
Saint Clare.
Saint Elizabeth.
Saint Faustina.
All you holy virgins and widows,
Pray for us.
All you holy saints of God,
Pray for us.
And now,
If there is someone special in heaven that you would like to include,
Maybe it's a loved one,
They are saints too if they have moved you closer to God.
Speak their name and respond,
Pray for us.
All of these people who have lived before us are living in communion.
And they are living with you.
They can breathe through you if you sound their name.
You may not feel like you have the power,
But the power that lived in them also lives in you.
That is the power of God.
So again,
The time doesn't have to be a particular celebration in the church or particular event.
You can call on the litany of the saints at any time when you might feel lost or frustrated.
And sometimes just recalling the name of a particular saint can reorient your mind to something more benevolent.
And I think all of us can use that every once in a while.
And sometimes we need it every day,
Or even every second of the day.
Let the community hold you.
Let the community enliven you,
The deepest part of you.
So notice this feeling deep inside of you,
Cherish it,
Remember it,
And take it and give it to perhaps someone else.
Maybe it's a kind word,
A kind thought,
A compassionate gesture,
Or maybe just looking into their eyes with this love.
As we spread joy,
True joy,
True love,
Hold this peace,
Spread this peace.
Take care.
