Saint John Henry Newman: The Litany of the Resurrection

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Fr. Juan Velez

Newman exhorts us: “All who obey the Truth are on the side of the Truth, and the Truth will prevail. Few in number but strong in the Spirit, despised by the world, yet making way while they suffered, the twelve Apostles overturned the power of darkness, and established the Christian Church.”

He invites us to live as witnesses to the Resurrection, spiritual witnesses. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself. Truth bears witness by itself to its Divine Author. He who obeys God conscientiously, and lives holily, forces all about him to believe and tremble before the unseen power of Christ.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Saint Paul reminds us that everything, even death itself, is under the authority of Jesus. Public officials, especially, would do well to reflect on the responsible use of power and stewardship (or lack thereof) and charity (or lack thereof). The Nuremburg Defense will be no defense before the throne of God.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 

THE LITANY OF THE RESURRECTION

John Henry Newman, Meditation and Devotions

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

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 Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, Conqueror of sin and Satan, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, triumphant over Death, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, the Holy and the Just, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, the Giver of grace, Have mercy on us.
Jesus, the Judge of the world, Have mercy on us.
Who didst lay down Thy life for Thy sheep, Have mercy on us.
Who didst rise again the third day, Have mercy on us.
Who didst manifest Thyself to Thy chosen, Have mercy on us.
Visiting Thy blessed Mother, Have mercy on us.
Appearing to Magdalen while she wept, Have mercy on us.
Sending Thy angels to the holy women, Have mercy on us.
Comforting the Eleven, Have mercy on us.
Saying to them, Peace, Have mercy on us.
Breathing on them the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Confirming the faith of Thomas, Have mercy on us.
Committing Thy flock to Peter, Have mercy on us.
Speaking of the Kingdom of God, Have mercy on us.

We sinners, Beseech Thee, hear us,

That we may walk in newness of life, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may advance in the knowledge of Thee, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may grow in grace, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may ever have the bread of life, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may persevere unto the end, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may have confidence before Thee at Thy coming, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may behold Thy face with joy, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may be placed at Thy right hand in the judgment, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That we may have our lot with the saints, We beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ is risen, Alleluia.
He is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon, Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, who by Thy only begotten Son hast overcome death, and opened on us the way to eternal life, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, so to confirm us by Thy grace, that we may in all things walk after the manner of those who have been redeemed from their sins, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.