The Litany of Divine Providence with Closing Prayers
A litany of Divine Providence with its preface, collect, Marian prayers, and concluding petition to St. Joseph.
Historical edition. Historical claims and instructions are preserved as historical context.
A short Instruction to the Devout Reader.
That we may be equally disposed and subordinate to the designs and directions of Divine Providence, as well in adversity as in prosperity, and receive with equal gratitude its decrees and appointments, is the end of the ensuing devotion or litany. Three particulars we ought to keep in view:
1. That we bow our heads with the greatest submission, humility, and resignation to the will of God, manifested to us in the order of his Divine Providence.
2. That we place a full confidence and reliance in his favourable intentions in our regard.
3. That our behaviour be such as to draw on us his favour and protection, and that we may be thoroughly grateful and acknowledging for blessings conferred on us through his Divine Providence.
The Litany.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ graciously hear us
God the Father, whose holy providence governs all things,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of human kind,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, unchangeable Providence,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, that governs all things in heaven and earth,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, that gives, preserves, and governs our life,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, the eternal love of man below and angels above,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, ever conformable to
the influence of the tender heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, that created, directs,
and governs all things, with weight,
measure, and wisdom,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, our hope, life, and salvation,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, defence and comfort of the afflicted,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, guide and support of souls in all dangers,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, that provides us with,
and imparts to us, all natural and supernatural gifts,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, inexhaustible treasury
Of the riches of heaven,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, protector and defence of the just,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, safe retreat and sanctuary to the miserable,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, our resource in all wants,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, our anchor in storms,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, our security in danger,
our way and secure haven,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, remedy in all evils, food to the hungry, and
fountain of refreshing water to the thirsty,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, raiment to the naked, strength to the weak,
protector and mother to widows and orphans,
Have mercy on us.
Divine Providence, refuge of sinners,
Have mercy on us.
Providence of God, who rules all things, infinitely deserving of
our homage and adoration:
Spare us, O Lord,
Providence of God, which protects and conserves all things,
infinitely worthy of our homage and adoration:
Hear us, O Lord.
Providence of God, which created and knows our weakness,
infinitely above our homage, and adoration:
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. We praise and adore thee, Divine Providence.
R. We resign ourselves to thy just and holy designs.
Let Us Pray.
Eternal God, whose eyes are over all thy works, especially intent on thy servants, vouchsafe to turn away from us whatever is hurtful, and grant us whatever is advantageous, that through thy favour, and under the benign influence of thy special providence, we may securely pass through the transitory dangers and difficulties of this life, and happily arrive at the eternal joys of the other: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anth. By thy immaculate conception, and most spotless virginity, O ever holy Mother of Christ, comfort of the afflicted, be propitious to us, both now and in the hour of our death.
V. In all our anguish and tribulation,
R. We fly to thee, O Mother of Mercy.
A Prayer
Remember, O most pious and tender Virgin, that it is a thing unheard of in all ages, that any one was abandoned by you, who ran to you for succour, who implored your help, and begged your intercession. Animated with this confidence, I, a wretched sinner, place myself in sighs and groans before you, to entreat you to adopt me for your child for ever, and to take my eternal salvation into your own care. Do not, O Mother of the Divine Word, despise my petition, but listen to me and hear me with a mother's tenderness. Amen.
Great St. Joseph, admirable model of resignation, obtain for me from my dear Saviour, who, to enforce your example, would submit himself to be governed by you during the thirty years of his hidden life, obtain for me from God the grace to imitate him, and to resign myself perfectly to that so sure and so amiable Providence, which, preserving me from ever going astray, may procure me an unalterable peace in this life, and eternal happiness in the next. Amen.