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An old and popular form of
prayer in honor of the Name of Jesus. The author is not known. Probably
Binterim (Denkwürdigkeiten, IV, I, 597) is correct in ascribing it to the
celebrated preachers of the Holy Name, Saints Bernardine of Siena and John
Capistran, at the beginning of the fifteenth century. At the request of
the Carmelites, Pope Sixtus V (1585-90) granted an indulgence of 300 days
for its recitation (Samson, "Die Allerheiligen Litanei", Paderborn, 1894,
14). Though this was an implied recognition of the litany, requests made
in 1640, 1642, and 1662, for formal approval were rejected. In 1862 Pius
IX approved one of the formularies in use, and attached an indulgence of
300 days for the faithful of the dioceses whose bishops had made special
application. Leo XIII (16 Jan., 1886) extended the privilege to the entire
world (Beringer, "Die Ablässe", Paderborn, 1900, 142).
This litany is arranged on the plan of the Litany of Loreto, and begins
with the invocation of the Holy Trinity. The first part enumerates a list
of praises referring to Jesus as God and as man. Remembering the blessing
bestowed on Peter's confession (Matth., xvi, 16), we call Jesus, "Son of
the Living God", "Splendour of the Father", and "Brightness of Eternal
Light" (the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this
world -- John, i, 9). He is the "King of Glory" (Ps. xxiii, 10), the "Sun
of Justice, rising for them that fear the name of the Lord" (Mal., iv, 2).
But, lest this splendor and glory make us fear, we turn to Jesus in His
humanity, and appeal to him as "Son of the Virgin Mary", and, as such,
"amiable" and "admirable"; and, though annihilating Himself in taking the
form of a servant (Phil., ii, 7), He is still the "mighty God", "Father of
the world to come", "Angel of the great counsel" (Is., ix, 6). Again,
though "most powerful", he has become for us "most patient" (led as a
sheep to the slaughter -- Acts, viii, 32), "most obedient" (even to the
death of the cross -- Phil., ii, 8), "meek and humble of heart" (Matth.,
xi, 29). He is the "Lover of chastity" and "Lover of us", blessing the
clean of heart (Matth., v, 8), and proving His love for us by giving His
life to procure that peace which the angels announced (Luke, ii, 14) and
life everlasting, whence He is "God of peace" and "Author of life". During
His sojourn on earth He was, and is to-day, "Model of virtues" and
"zealous for souls", "our God" and "our refuge"; He is "Father of the
poor" and "Treasure of the faithful", the "Good Shepherd" Who lays down
His life for His sheep (John, x, 11); He is the "True Light", "Eternal
Wisdom", "Infinite Goodness", "our Way and our Life" (John, xiv, 6); He is
the "Joy of Angels" and "King of Patriarchs". Through Him all have
obtained the knowledge and strength to accomplish God's designs, for He is
"Master of Apostles", "Teacher of Evangelists", "Strength of Martyrs",
"Light of Confessors", "Purity of Virgins", and "Crown of all Saints".
After again calling for mercy and the granting of our prayers, we, in the
second part of the litany, beg Jesus to deliver us from all evil that
would keep us from the attainment of our last end, from sin and the wrath
of God, the snares of the devil and the spirit of uncleanness, from
eternal death and the neglect of His inspirations. We adjure Him by the
mystery of His holy Incarnation, His nativity and infancy, His most Divine
life and labors, His agony and Passion, His Cross and dereliction, His
languor, His Death and burial, His Resurrection and Ascension, His joys
and Glory. (Where sanctioned by the bishop, the invocation "Through Thine
institution of the most holy Eucharist" may be added after "Through Thine
Ascension" -- S.R.C., 8 Feb., 1905). The litany closes with the triple
invocation of the Lamb of God, the petition, "Jesus hear us", "Jesus
graciously hear us", and two prayers.
source:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09290a.htm
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