Litany of Saints for Aotearoa NZ prepared for prayer for conclave

Before leaving for Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, Cardinal Dew explained that the Litany of the Saints will be sung as the cardinals commence the conclave, calling upon the saints for their help and intercession. A friend of Cardinal Dew promised to pray a Litany each day before and during the conclave for the cardinals.

Cardinal Dew added a recitation of the Litany of the Saints to his daily prayer. He said if other people would join him, “that would be wonderful”.

The Litany of the Saints prepared specifically for the intention of the conclave and especially for Aotearoa New Zealand invites use of both spoken languages in this country – Te Reo Māori and English – as well as the language of the universal Church, Latin. It is hoped it will be prayed by many Catholics in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Litany seeks the intercession of Our Lady under several titles and also names some 35 saints. Intercessions are sought from angels, apostles and evangelists, martyrs, popes and disciples of the Lord. Venerable Suzanne Aubert and Venerable Catherine McAuley are also asked for prayers.

The three saints who set foot on New Zealand – St John Paul II, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Teresa of Kolkata – are asked for prayer in the Litany.

The Litany resource will be supplemented with a sung recording that can be used in prayer while people listen. A PowerPoint presentation, with the recording, will also be available for use in schools and other settings.

Catholics are invited to join their prayers with those of Cardinal Dew, his fellow cardinals and the universal Church, that the Holy Spirit will give wisdom and insight to all those who enter the conclave on May 7.

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Litany of the Saints prepared especially for Aotearoa New Zealand (NZCBC)