Introduction to Litanies

The litany is one of the oldest forms of Christian prayer, dating back to the earliest centuries of the Church. In this responsive prayer form, a leader offers a series of invocations or petitions, and the congregation responds with a fixed phrase such as "pray for us" or "have mercy on us".

This section provides an introduction to litany prayer - its origins, its place in Catholic tradition, and practical guidance on how to incorporate litanies into your personal and communal prayer life.

Whether you are new to litanies or seeking to deepen your understanding of this beautiful prayer form, we invite you to explore the riches of this ancient tradition.