Litanies in times of sickness and plague

It is an ancient tradition in the Catholic Church that when plagues strike, the people would recite litanies. A litany is a series of invocations, usually of saints or titles of a saint, that ask for intercessory prayers. It is a prayer of petition. Some litanies are public and others for private use only. The Directory on Popular Piety says, “The Litanies of the Saints contain elements deriving from both the liturgical tradition and from popular piety. They are expressions of the Church’s confidence in the intercession of the Saints and an experience of the communion between the Church of the heavenly Jerusalem and the Church on her earthly pilgrim journey” (235). Likewise, the Code of Canon Law states that, “sacramentals are sacred signs which in a sense imitate the sacraments. They signify certain effects, especially spiritual ones, and they achieve these effects through the intercession of the Church” (Canon 1166).

Certain litanies were popular when a plague struck a region or nation. Often they invoked saints that were known to be powerful intercessors for the sick or in case of natural disasters. Often they were prayed during processions in an antiphonal manner. One of the more popular litanies during times of plague was the Litany of the Saints. In addition, particular saints were often called upon singularly or in groups, such as the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

In this time of pandemic, especially since public worship is difficult or impossible, we can still invoke saints and pray litanies. Popular devotions can help sustain our faith. We believe that we are part of the communion of saints and that their prayers are efficacious. The saints want to help us. Here is a litany of some of the saints that were often invoked during times of sickness and plague. This litany is for private use only. Feel free to add your own special patrons.
 
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
 
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 Spirit                                     have mercy on us
 
Mary Mother of God,                                  pray for us
Mary, Help of the Sick,                                  
Mary, Health of the Roman People,
Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted,
 
St. Joseph, Hope of the Sick,
St. Joseph, Patron of the Dying,
St. Joseph, Terror of Demons,
 
St. Michael, Light and Hope of souls near death,
St. Michael, our most sure aid,
St. Michael, receiver of the souls of the elect after death,
St. Raphael, whose name means “God heals,”
Guardian Angel, my protector,
All you Holy Angels,
 
St. George, valiant martyr of Christ,
St. Blaise, zealous bishop and benefactor of the poor,
St. Erasmus, mighty protector of the oppressed,
St. Pantaleon, miraculous exemplar of charity,
St. Vitus, special protector of chastity,
St. Christopher, mighty intercessor in dangers,
St. Dionysius, shining mirror of faith and confidence,
St. Cyriacus, terror of hell,
St. Acacius, helpful advocate in death,
St. Eustace, exemplar of patience in adversity,
St. Giles, despiser of the world,
St. Margaret, valiant champion of the Faith,
St. Catherine, victorious defender of the Faith and of purity,
St. Barbara, mighty patroness of the dying,
Fourteen Holy Helpers,
 
St. Luke, patron of physicians,
St. Agatha, patron of nurses,
St. Roch, who did expose your life to heal the sick,
St. Sebastian, comforter of the dying,
St. Corona, patron of plague victims,
St. Benedict, protector of those who cry to you,
St. Charles Borromeo, whose selflessness during the great plague won the hearts even of your foes,
St. Gregory the Great, whose prayers ended a plague,
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who died caring for the sick,
St. Rosalie, by whose intercession a plague ended,
St. Casimir, generous to the sick,
Sts. Cosmas and Damian, holy physicians,
St. Camillus, patron of the sick and health care workers,
St. John of God, patron of hospitals,
St. Frances of Rome, who cared for the sick and the poor,
St. Quirinus of Neuss, patron of those affected by plague,
St. Anthony the Great, patron of those infected by disease,
St. Edwin the Martyr, patron of pandemics,
St. Damien of Molokai, compassionate to the sick and outcasts,
St. Godeberta of Noyon, who miraculously stopped a plague,
St. Henry Morse, who cared for plague victims,
St. Marianne Cope, who saw in the sick the face of Jesus,
Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos, holy priest who died caring for the sick,
All you Holy Saints of God,
 
From every evil,                                           Lord save your people
From every sin,                                                    
From your anger,
From sudden and unforeseen death,
From the snares of the devil,
From anger, hatred, and all ill-will,
From the spirit of uncleanness,
From lightening and tempest,
From the scourge of earthquake,
From plague, famine, and war,
From everlasting death,
 
Be merciful to us sinners,                            Lord hear our prayer
That you will spare us,                                       
That you will pardon us,
That it may please you to bring us to true repentance,
To deliver our souls from eternal damnation, and the souls of our brethren, kinsmen, and benefactors,
To give and preserve the fruits of the earth,
To grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed,
 
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
 
Let us pray,
 
Almighty and eternal God, our refuge in every danger, to whom we turn in our distress; in faith we pray look with compassion on the afflicted, grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick, peace to the dying, strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders and the courage to reach out to all in love, so that together we may give glory to your holy name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  
 
Father Goodwin is the Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Fargo.