Litany of Saints at Vigil Mass

[Prayerfully]

This is going to sound really dumb, but when we recite the Litany of the Saints at the Easter Vigil Mass, I’ve noticed that the catechumen’s names are lists as “Saint so-and-so”, pray for us. Some of the catechumens have chosen a known Saint’s name (Anastasia, Teresa, Stephan, etc) and some of the catechumens already had birth names that were on the canonical list (William, Elizabeth, etc), but I did notice a few catechumens didn’t choose a saint’s name, and thus, during the litany we heard “Saint Madison, pray for us”,“Saint Chance” pray for us. Is that done under the assumption, that whether there is a canonical Saint by that name or not, there is a Saint praying for us? (I changed the last 2 names to protect the privacy of those involved, but the names in question were what I considered to be “trendy” names instead of names one would likely find in Butler’s lives of the Saints.

 

[coolduude]

Doesn’t happen at my parish so I really have an answer. Sorry

If I can guess though, I would say that this should not be done. They’re not in Heaven yet; they’re not even dead yet! It’s ok to ask them to pray for you, but not in this context.

Let’s see how some other people answer too…

 

[Prayerfully]

Doesn’t happen at my parish so I really have an answer. Sorry

If I can guess though, I would say that this should not be done. They’re not in Heaven yet; they’re not even dead yet! It’s ok to ask them to pray for you, but not in this context.

Let’s see how some other people answer too…

Every Vigil Mass I’ve attended does this with the Catechumens. I’ve always thought that they were asking for the prayers of each Catechumen’s Patron Saint, but when I heard “St Madison” and “St Chance” (names were changed for privacy), I begin to wonder if it was the patron saints we were requesting prayers from or the Cathechumens themselves. I can see where you thought this to.

 

[Spirithound]

This is going to sound really dumb, but when we recite the Litany of the Saints at the Easter Vigil Mass, I’ve noticed that the catechumen’s names are lists as “Saint so-and-so”, pray for us. Some of the catechumens have chosen a known Saint’s name (Anastasia, Teresa, Stephan, etc) and some of the catechumens already had birth names that were on the canonical list (William, Elizabeth, etc), but I did notice a few catechumens didn’t choose a saint’s name, and thus, during the litany we heard “Saint Madison, pray for us”,“Saint Chance” pray for us. Is that done under the assumption, that whether there is a canonical Saint by that name or not, there is a Saint praying for us? (I changed the last 2 names to protect the privacy of those involved, but the names in question were what I considered to be “trendy” names instead of names one would likely find in Butler’s lives of the Saints.

I suppose that is the assumption…I would not be in favour of inserting a name into the litany who is not a recognized saint though.

 

[Appealing_Woman]

Every Vigil Mass I’ve attended does this with the Catechumens. I’ve always thought that they were asking for the prayers of each Catechumen’s Patron Saint, but when I heard “St Madison” and “St Chance” (names were changed for privacy), I begin to wonder if it was the patron saints we were requesting prayers from or the Cathechumens themselves. I can see where you thought this to.

I asked about this at my parish and was told that when the catechumens are baptized, for that instant their oringinal sin and all their sins are washed away and they are pure and saintly, so we ask for their prayers a that time. Does anyone know if this is true?

 

[coolduude]

I asked about this at my parish and was told that when the catechumens are baptized, for that instant their oringinal sin and all their sins are washed away and they are pure and saintly, so we ask for their prayers a that time. Does anyone know if this is true?

It would make sense, but I still don’t think they should be inserted into a list of canonized Saints. I’m not an expert though

 

[Spirithound]

I asked about this at my parish and was told that when the catechumens are baptized, for that instant their oringinal sin and all their sins are washed away and they are pure and saintly, so we ask for their prayers a that time. Does anyone know if this is true?

It would be a logical idea, except that the Litany of Saints occurs before the baptisms, and is in fact invoking the saints’ intercession to strengthen the catechumens and candidates.

 

[Phemie]

A priest I know tried to do that with his family’s names at his ordination. The Bishop was less than pleased and told the choir that under no circumstance were they to sing anything other than what was in the official litany.

But I can see how it could happen. There is a video on baptism which we use in our parish during the preparation of parents. I’ve noticed with irritation that the cantor inserts the names of the kids, the parents and the sponsors in that litany at that parish.

 

[Spirithound]

…the official litany.

So then there is a litany written by the Church. Can it be added to at all? With legitimate, well-known, well-loved saints? For example, I don’t recall St. Polycarp being named in the Litany at the Vigil.

 

[MarkThompson]

So then there is a litany written by the Church. Can it be added to at all? With legitimate, well-known, well-loved saints? For example, I don’t recall St. Polycarp being named in the Litany at the Vigil.

Yes, there are several versions of the Litany prescribed by the Church, including one for the Easter Vigil. In the rubrics for the Vigil, the Missale states, “In litaniis addi possunt aliqua nomina Sanctorum, praesertim vero Titularis ecclesiae vel Patronorum loci et eorum qui sunt baptizandi.” As I translate it, that means, “In litanies other names of Saints can be added, chiefly of the titular of the church or the patrons of the place and of those who are to be baptized.” Of course, it is the names of the patrons of those who are to be baptized that can be added – we’re not adding the names of the baptizandi themselves as though they were saints in the Litany.

This article should help, though please note that the Litany given at the end is not that for the Vigil. That list is as follows (I’m copying from the Latin, and there is an official English translation, but the saints are the same):
Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Míchael, ora pro nobis.
Sancti Angeli Dei, oráte pro nobis.
Sancte Ioánnes Baptísta, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Ioseph, ora pro nobis.
Sancti Petre et Paule, oráte pro nobis.
Sancte Andréa, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Ioánnes, ora pro nobis.
Sancta María Magdaléna, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Stéphane, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Ignáti Antiochéne, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Laurénti, ora pro nobis.
Sanctae Perpétua et Felícitas, oráte pro nobis.
Sancta Agnes, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Gregóri, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Augustíne, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Athanási, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Basíli, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Martíne, ora pro nobis.
Sancte Benedícte, ora pro nobis.
Sancti Francísce et Domínice, oráte pro nobis.
Sancte Francísce (Xavier), ora pro nobis.
Sancte Ioánnes María (Vianney), ora pro nobis.
Sancta Catharína (Senénsis), ora pro nobis.
Sancta Terésia a Iesu, ora pro nobis.
Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, oráte pro nobis.

 

[Phemie]

If I’m singing the Litany at a Baptism I will add the names of the child, parents and sponsors IF there are Saints with those names. I’ve yet to come upon a St. Tiffany – hmm, who’s the patron saint of stained glass lamp shade makers?

 

[puzzleannie]

This is going to sound really dumb, but when we recite the Litany of the Saints at the Easter Vigil Mass, I’ve noticed that the catechumen’s names are lists as “Saint so-and-so”, pray for us. Some of the catechumens have chosen a known Saint’s name (Anastasia, Teresa, Stephan, etc) and some of the catechumens already had birth names that were on the canonical list (William, Elizabeth, etc), but I did notice a few catechumens didn’t choose a saint’s name, and thus, during the litany we heard “Saint Madison, pray for us”,“Saint Chance” pray for us. Is that done under the assumption, that whether there is a canonical Saint by that name or not, there is a Saint praying for us? (I.

Yes the catechumens names may be included, and yes I find a saint for every single candidate’s birth name every year. We don’t use them in the litany, but they do read those biographies during the RCIA retreat so they understand they already have patron name saints. Butler’s is not the only authoratative list. The most complete on-line is catholic.org saints link, and I found one in Spanish, santopedia. I have only had one instance where the priest insisted a child take a saint name for Confirmation as he was named for a notorious Aztec god. Often if I look up the meaning of the name in its original language it leads naturally to a saint, for instance, an oriental name meaning “Rose” was a recent one.

btw this insertion of names in the Litany is prescribed only the Vigil where there are baptisms, not for any other public recitation, unless to add the patron of the parish church, or similar reason.

 

[Spirithound]

btw this insertion of names in the Litany is prescribed only the Vigil where there are baptisms, not for any other public recitation, unless to add the patron of the parish church, or similar reason.

Ok, which is why the priest Phemie knew couldn’t add his family’s names?

 

[laszlo]

I asked about this at my parish and was told that when the catechumens are baptized, for that instant their oringinal sin and all their sins are washed away and they are pure and saintly, so we ask for their prayers a that time. Does anyone know if this is true?

They are pure, that this is not enough to be saint. The endurance in this state is required too, which is much harder, that receiving God’s free gift.