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, our Advocate,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.

​

☨Holy Cross, Whereon the Lamb of God was offered for the sins of the world,

Jesus remember me *

​

☨Holy Cross, Hope of Christians, *

​

 ☨Pledge of the resurrection from the dead,*

 

☨Shelter of the persecuted innocence, *

​

☨Guide of the blind,*

 

☨Way of those who have gone astray,*

​

☨Staff of the lame, *

​

☨Consolation of the poor,*

☨Restraint of the powerful, *

 
☨Destruction of the proud,*

 
☨Refuge of sinners,*

​

☨Chariot of Christ, *

 
☨Weapon that destroys death, *

 
☨Trophy of victory over hell, *

 
☨Terror of demons, *

 
☨Guardian of Youth, *

 
☨Succor of the distressed, *

 
☨Hope of the hopeless, *

 
☨Star of the mariner, *

 
☨Harbor of the wrecked, *

 
☨Rampart of the besieged,*

 
☨Father of orphans, *

 
☨Defense of widows, *

​

☨Evidence of God 's Love, *

​

☨Protector of Godly Families, *

 

☨Defender of the Nascent, *

​

☨Hope for the Blessed Souls in Purgatory, *

​

☨Sum of the Beatitude, *

​

☨Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, *

 
☨Counsel of the just, *

 
☨Judge of the wicked, *

 
☨Rest of the afflicted, *

 
☨Safeguard of childhood, *

 
☨Strength of manhood, *

 
☨Last hope of the aged, *

 
☨Light of those who sit in darkness, *

 
☨Splendor of kings, *

 
☨Civilizer of the  world, *

 
☨Buckler impenetrable, *

 
☨Wisdom of the foolish,*

 
☨Liberty of slaves,*

 
☨Knowledge of the ignorant,*

 
☨Sure rule of life, *

 
☨Heralded by prophets, *

 
☨Preached by apostles, *

 
☨Glory of martyrs,*

​

☨Witness of the Truth, *

 
☨Study of anchorites,*

 
☨Chastity of virgins, *

 
☨Joy of priests, *

​

☨Peace for religious, *

 
☨Foundation of the Church,*

 
☨Salvation of the world, *

  
☨Destruction of idolatry, *

 
☨Stumbling-block of the Jews,*

 
☨Condemnation of the ungodly,*

 
☨Support of the weak,*

 
☨Medicine of the sick,*

 
☨Health of the leprous,*

 
☨Strength of the paralytic,*

 
☨Bread of the hungry,*

 
☨Fountain of those that thirst, *

 
☨Clothing of the naked, *

​

☨The Price of our Redemption, *

​

☨The Payment of our Sin, *

​

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

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

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You,
Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.
 

Let us Pray:

O God, Who for the redemption of the world, was pleased to be born in a stable and to die upon a cross; O Lord Jesus Christ, by Your holy sufferings, which we, Your unworthy servants, call to mind: by Your Holy Cross, and by Your death, deliver us from the pains of Hell, and grant to conduct us where You conducted the good thief who was crucified with You, Who lives and reigns eternally in Heaven.

Amen.

This litany dates from the Middle Ages and from many countries; while the refrain refers to the Holy Cross, it is considered that in doing so, we are actually referring to our Savior Who hung upon it and thereby redeemed us all. By our salutation to the chief instrument of Our Lord's Passion and death, we trust in hope that He will show mercy to us.