The Litany of Saints is one of the oldest prayers still in use, dating from the 5thcentury. It is frequently used on All Saints day and at the Easter Vigil, the mass before Easter reserved for those being baptised.
The Litany is separated into five sections. The text included on the manuscript forms the opening section, invocating God with a series of Kyrie Eleison chants. This threefold chant is then followed by the second section, supplication to the Virgin Mary and the saints.
The translated text upon the manuscript reads as follows:
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. (Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.)
Christe audi nos. (Christ hear us.)
Christe exaudi nos. (Christ graciously hear us.)
Pater de caelis Deus, miserere nobis. (God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us.)
Fili redemptor mundi Deus, miserere nobis. (God the Son redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us.)
Spiritus sancte Deus, miserere nobis. (God the Holy Ghost, have mercy upon us.)
Sancta Trinitas unus Deus, miserere nobis. (Holy Trinity one God, have mercy upon us.)
Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. (Holy Mary, pray for us.)
Sancta Dei genitrix, ora [pro nobis]. (Holy Mother of God, pray [for us].)
Sancta virgo virginum, or[a pro nobis]. (Holy virgin of virgins, pray [for us].)
Sancte Michael, or[a pro nobis]. (Saint Michael, pray [for us].)
Sancte Gabriel, or[a pro nobis]. (Saint Gabriel, pray [for us].)
Sancte Raphael, or[a pro nobis]. (Saint Raphael, pray [for us].)
Omnes sancti Angeli, et Archangeli, orate p[ro nobis]. (All ye Holy Angels, and Archangels, pray [for us].)
Omnes sancti beatorum spiri[tuum ordines, orate pro nobis]. (All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, [pray for us].)
To find out more about Medieval manuscripts please see our relevant blog post: Illuminated Manuscripts and Vellum Pages.