Litany for the Clergy

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In times such as our own, and particularly with the Synod on Youth taking place under circumstances far from optimal and seemingly bent on a tired regurgigation of outworn mantras, we would do well to pray a great deal more for our clergy — however angry or hopeless we might feel, and indeed, especially when there is so much to be angry or discouraged about. For, whatever else one may say, the worst or at least the most pervasive error of the postconciliar period has been the worldly activism that has sucked dry the wellsprings of contemplation, adoration, and reparation from the daily life of the Church. As we know from the dialogue betwen Abraham and the Lord, if there are only a few righteous men beseeching the Lord for mercy in any city, it will be spared; but if not, the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah is inescapable.

With this in mind, I would like to share a Litany for the Clergy that was recently published at the always edifying blog Vultus Christi, associated with Silverstream Priory. I have prayed this Litany a number of times during the silent Canon of the Mass and found that it well suited the pressing need of my heart to offer earnest petition at this time for our hierarchs, our clerics, and our seminarians (indeed, in a way that harmonizes with the Canon’s opening, the Memento for the living, and Memento for the dead).

Crucifixion by Mikhail Nesterov (1912)

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. 

God the Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth is named, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Eternal High Priest and Sovereign King, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Source of sanctity, Guide of shepherds, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

For the Pope, Vicar of Christ, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
For all the cardinals of God’s Holy Church, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
For all the bishops of God’s Holy Church, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
For all the priests of God’s Holy Church, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
For all the deacons of God’s Holy Church, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
For all the seminarians of God’s Holy Church, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.
For all ministers of God’s Holy Church, hear us, O Lord, and have mercy.

For clergy faithful to their promises, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.
For clergy striving to be holy, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.
For clergy reverent in liturgy, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.
For clergy orthodox in doctrine, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.
For clergy courageous in preaching, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.
For clergy generous with Confession, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.
For clergy devoted to works of mercy, precious Blood of Jesus, fortify them.

For disoriented clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.
For demoralized clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.
For exhausted clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.
For unappreciated clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.
For calumniated clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.
For persecuted clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.
For silenced clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, console them.

For abusive clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.
For ambitious clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.
For irreverent clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.
For heretical clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.
For cowardly clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.
For vindictive clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.
For tepid clergy, precious Blood of Jesus, wash over them and convert them.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare and save Thy priests.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, heal and purify Thy priests.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, multiply Thy holy priests.

V. Arise, O Lord, into Thy resting place: Thou and the ark, which Thou hast sanctified.
R. Let Thy priests be clothed with justice: and let Thy saints rejoice.

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful unto Thy Church and let the light of Thy countenance shine upon us, that we who dwell in the valley of the shadow of death may be delivered from the evils that afflict us, and may receive many shepherds after Thy Sacred Heart, who will lead Thy flock in holiness to the pastures of grace and glory, where Thou livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us.
St. Joseph, chaste spouse of the Bride, pray for us.
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. John the Baptist, pray for us.
St. John, beloved disciple, pray for us.
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us.
St. John Vianney, pray for us.