A Litany of Saints for the Family

Shelly Henley Kelly explains how she and her family composed a family Litany of Saints they can regularly pray together.

Admiring the newly framed print on the wall, our family looked at each other a little hesitantly. “Should we pray it out loud?” I asked. Although we’d all participated in the project of creating a personal Litany of Saints, this would be our first time to pray it together.  

Earlier in the year I’d heard the traditional Litany of Saints sung twice during special occasions — at the Easter Vigil Mass when my husband formally entered the Church, and six weeks later during an ACTS retreat. The repetitious tune asking various saints to “pray for us” continued to haunt my thoughts and I found myself humming it mindlessly.  

What is a Litany of Saints? 

A litany is a prayer of petition used in both public liturgy and private devotion. It can be spoken or sung, but the simplicity of it generates a soothing meditative quality. 

Saints are those men and women in heaven whose heroically virtuous lives are worthy of imitation. They encourage us to persevere on our own path to holiness. Those seeking the sacrament of Confirmation choose a saint to be their guide. Often, we’re drawn in curiosity to a specific person we can identify with: someone whose circumstances match our own stage of life or a challenge we’re facing. We also keep an eye out for the ones who randomly pop up in our life, as if they’re trying to get your attention, daring you to learn more about them. 

Whether they lived in the 1st or 2nd century or in the last fifty years, their dedication and faithfulness to Christ and His teachings continue to intrigue and inspire. Many of the newer saints overlap with our own lives as we remember seeing Mother Teresa (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) or Saint John Paul II in person or on television. The messages of modern men and women on the path to sainthood endure through streaming audio and video. 

Create your own Family Litany of Saints 

After seeing a print of a “Family Litany of Saints” at my sister’s house, I couldn’t stop wondering who would be on my family’s list of saints. When I raised the idea at dinner one night, surprisingly everyone was interested in contributing names. We pitched saint after saint whom we felt close to until I finally put a limit on the number. Everyone was tasked with praying about it and bringing forth names.  

To create our list, we started with everyone’s Confirmation saint before opening the floor to one more choice from each person. What surprised me was choosing “just one more each” evolved into a robust conversation. Each person took their time, explaining their choice, why this person or that made their cut. Careful consideration evolved into a lively discussion of who we felt connected to at this time and why.    

Gather around 

Since awkwardly praying our litany out loud that first time, I’ve found myself standing before it praying many times. Sometimes my son joins me and we sing the prayer together, laughing when we mess up the melody or mispronounce a name. Before big moments in our family, such as a daughter returning to college or a long vacation, our family will come together to pray this litany.  

Even when the house is empty, I stand in front of these names, embraced in the thought that these holy men and women are special to us — all of us— and that we have them offering prayers on our behalf. Prayers for our goodness, protection, strength, and continued growth in faith, hope, and love. 

Who belongs on your Family Saint list?  Ask your children to participate and be surprised.  

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Copyright 2024 Shelly Henley Kelly
Images: (top) Canva; all others copyright 2024 Shelly Henley Kelly, all rights reserved.