It still being November, the month of all saints, it seems opportune to discuss the Litany of Saints.
We are reminded, by Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti, official exorcist in Washington D.C., that when an exorcist begins the solemn rite of casting devils out, the priest and those assisting him begin with the Litany.
There are various such litanies. Are they equally powerful?
That we don’t know. But we were also reminded that those on the other side — even non-canonical deceased, such as a parent or grandmother — can intervene on earth to shoo away tormenting spirits. (See last month’s “Special Report.”)
If, allegedly, a deceased loved one can thusly intervene, how much more potent the involvement of saints?
“Normally, the Litany of the Saints is part of the opening of an exorcism session,” says Monsignor Rossetti in his current and excellent blog. “Then the exorcist moves quickly into what are thought to be ‘more important prayers.”
But in one difficult case, he relates, the exorcist “adjusted his normal routine and stayed with the Litany of the Saints for hours, making it the bulk of the sessions.”
The demons, monsignor relates, shouted, “Not that name! Not that name!” as the saints were invoked.
And so, when we have trials or even demonism in our own homes and lives, or simply need to cleanse and refresh our bodies, minds, and homes, it makes sense to likewise use a litany.
Monsignor Rossetti — who entitles his post “Demons Cast Out By Saints” — provides one. So does Adam Blai, official “peritus of religious demonology” for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, in his current book, The Exorcism Files. A third was provided in a blog written by Mary O’Regan on All Saints Day.
To wit:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
After each response below the invocation is:
Have mercy on us.
God, our heavenly Father,
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
After each response below the invocation is:
Pray for us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Saint Michael,
Saint Gabriel,
Saint Raphael,
All you holy Angels and Archangels,
All you holy orders of blessed Spirits,
Saint John the Baptist,
Saint Joseph,
All you holy Patriarchs and Prophets,
Saint Peter,
Saint Paul,
Saint Andrew,
Saint James,
Saint John,
Saint Thomas,
Saint James,
Saint Philip,
Saint Bartholomew,
Saint Matthew,
Saint Simon,
Saint Thaddeus,
Saint Matthias,
Saint Barnabas,
Saint Luke,
Saint Mark,
All you holy Apostles and Evangelists,
All you holy Disciples of the Lord,
All you holy Innocents,
Saint Stephen,
Saint Lawrence,
Saint Vincent,
Saint Fabian and Saint Sebastian,
Saint John and Saint Paul,
Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian,
Saint Gervase and Saint Protase,
All you holy Martyrs,
Saint Silvester,
Saint Gregory,
Saint Ambrose,
Saint Augustine,
Saint Jerome,
Saint Martin,
Saint Nicholas,
All you holy Bishops and Confessors,
All you holy Doctors,
Saint Anthony,
Saint Benedict,
Saint Bernard,
Saint Dominic,
Saint Francis,
All you holy Priests and Clergy,
All you holy Monks and Hermits,
Saint Mary Magdalene,
Saint Agatha,
Saint Lucy,
Saint Agnes,
Saint Cecilia,
Saint Catharine,
Saint Anastasia,
All you holy Virgins and Widows,
All you Saints of God [pray for us!]
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The one Monsignor Rossetti’s team uses includes St. Patrick. St. Rose of Lima. St. Maximillian Kolbe. The 12 Apostles. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Blessed Michael McGivney. St. Lawrence. Blessed Conchita. St. Teresa and the Carmelite saints. St. Catherine of Alexandria. St. John Eudes. And more.
Perhaps you can obtain a long one and add any saints you feel close to. Plus all the souls in Heaven. Plus all the poor souls in purgatory. They too pray!
And the more intercessors, the more powerful.
[resources: The Exorcism Files, Diary of An American Exorcist] and Michael Brown retreat video]
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Pray always for purity and love
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