A Litany for Childbirth
A very blessed Holy Week to you all!
Do you ever get the feeling that a saint is… stalking you? I’m kidding, of course, but there have been times in my life when all of the sudden a certain saint just seems to keep popping up. A random holy card, an opportunity to visit a relic… sometimes even a full-blown miracle? Over and over again they seem to be peeking from behind the veil, offering a helping hand.
I’ve had not one, not two, but three such experiences lately. Two occurred while I was accompanying women at their births, and the other as a miraculous outcome for a friend whose child was in danger of death.
I wish I could say more, but these stories aren’t mine to share. The witness that God is still performing miracles, even to this very day, however, is my testimony.
These incredible stories of saintly intercession have had me thinking ever more deeply on the richness that is the communion of saints. How saints, as models of virtue can lead us closer to Christ by their example, but also how their prayers before the throne of God Most High can (and often do) reap miraculous rewards. What a blessing from God. (What an understatement.)
In my birth classes, we discuss at least one saint each week, so a few months ago, I decided to compose a Litany for Childbirth. Feeling inept in the face of such a daunting task (aren’t litanies the best? who even writes these things?), I relied on traditional litanies that I have a devotion to in order supply the format, and then I included all the saints that we discuss in our classes.
As a Holy Week gift to you, I wanted to share the printable version. I pray that this prayer brings comfort and peace to many a mama as she prepares to give birth to her child. (Scroll down for the printable version.)
P.S. If you or anyone you know is expecting a baby, I’m enrolling for my next series of birth classes right now. They begin April 22! I’m also toying with the idea of an early pregnancy class in order to get nutrition and exercise on the right track early on. If you’re interested, make sure you’re on my email list!
LITANY FOR CHILDBIRTH
Lord, have mercy on us.
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘴.
Christ, have mercy on us.
𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘴.
Lord, have mercy on us.
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘴.
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.
Holy Trinity, one God, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘶𝘴.
Our Lady of the Nativity, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Our Lady of La Leche, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Holy Mother of God, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Joseph, foster father of the Son of God, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Mother of God, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Joseph, Diligent protector of Christ, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Joseph, Head of the Holy Family, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Anne, mother of the mother of God, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Gianna Molla, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Gerard Majella, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Brigid of Ireland, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Erasmus, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Margaret of Antioch, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saint Raymond Nonnatus, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Guardian angels, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
All you holy men and women, 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘴.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴.
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.
𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘯.
