Litany to the Blessed Host

The Litany to the Blessed Host is a prayer written by Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun known for her devotion to the message of God’s mercy. She lived in the early 1900s and is remembered for her deep love for Jesus in the Eucharist. In her diary, she recorded prayers and reflections that came from her time spent in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Among these is the Litany to the Blessed Host, which shows her love for Jesus present in the Eucharist.

Saint Faustina faced many trials during her life. She struggled with poor health and carried spiritual burdens as well. Yet, she found strength in turning to Jesus in the Eucharist. Her prayer reflects how she saw the Eucharist as a source of comfort and hope. The Litany shows her trust in Jesus, who gives His presence under the form of bread.

The prayer uses simple images to express great love for the Eucharist. Saint Faustina speaks of the Host as light in darkness, strength in weakness, and beauty hidden from human eyes. She encourages the faithful to look beyond appearances and see the gift of Christ Himself in the Blessed Sacrament. Her words invite us to pray with faith and love, even when Jesus seems hidden.

For those who read and pray this litany, it is a way to grow closer to Jesus in the Eucharist. It can be prayed in silence before the tabernacle or during adoration. Through it, we are reminded that Christ is always present, waiting to dwell in our lives. Saint Faustina’s simple yet moving prayer still helps Catholics today deepen their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

• See the Prayer
• Printable Copy
• More Catholic Prayers

The Litany to the Blessed Host comes from the diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska. She wrote it during her times of prayer before the Eucharist. The litany was not created for public worship at first. It was a personal prayer that poured out from her love for Jesus in the Host. Later, it was shared with the Church through her diary, which is now read by many people around the world.

The format of the prayer follows the style of a litany, which is a series of short invocations. Each line calls on Jesus present in the Eucharist under a different title or image. The rhythm of repetition helps focus the mind and heart on the presence of Christ. This makes it a fitting prayer for quiet reflection and adoration.

In the Litany to the Blessed Host, Saint Faustina speaks to Jesus with tender names. She calls the Host her strength, her light, and her love. These simple images help believers understand how the Eucharist is central to the life of faith. The litany moves like a conversation between the soul and Christ.

Because of its format, the litany can be prayed alone or in a group. Its short and direct lines are easy to follow. Many people find that repeating the invocations slowly brings a sense of peace. In this way, the prayer continues to serve as a guide for those who seek closeness with Jesus in the Eucharist.

The Litany to the Blessed Host connects closely with the Bible. When Saint Faustina calls the Host light in the darkness, it recalls Jesus saying, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). When she speaks of strength, we are reminded of how the Israelites were fed with manna in the desert. These images help us see the Eucharist as the true bread from heaven, promised by Jesus in John 6.

For Catholic catechesis, this prayer highlights the Church’s teaching that the Eucharist is the center of Christian life. The Catechism tells us, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Using this litany in teaching shows young people how the words of Scripture and the teaching of the Church come alive in prayer.

In youth ministry, this litany can help teens slow down and focus on Jesus in the Eucharist. Its short lines are easy to pray, even for those not used to long prayers. It gives them images they can understand, like light, love, and strength. This makes it a good bridge between catechism lessons and personal prayer.

Praying this litany with youth also teaches them how to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament. It encourages silence, reflection, and listening. In a world filled with noise, this practice offers peace and closeness with Christ. It helps form habits of prayer that can guide them as they grow in faith.

O Blessed Host, in golden chalice enclosed for me,
That through the vast wilderness of exile I may pass
Pure, immaculate, undefiled;
Oh, grant that through the power of Your love
This might come to be.

O Blessed Host, take up Your dwelling within my soul,
O Thou my heart’s purest love!
With Your brilliance the darkness dispel.
Refuse not Your grace to a humble heart.

O Blessed Host, enchantment of all heaven,
Though Your beauty be veiled
And captured in a crumb of bread,
Strong faith tears away that veil.

The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Light of the Eucharist

This image of the Blessed Sacrament, surrounded by glowing candles, is a beautiful reminder of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. It can be used to inspire prayer and reflection in your parish or ministry.

We are making this image available for download so that it can be shared in bulletins, newsletters, and other parish materials. Use it to highlight Eucharistic adoration, prayer events, or teachings on the Real Presence. Bring the focus back to Christ at the center of our faith with this meaningful image.

Paid subscribers may download a large copy this digital artwork without watermarks, suitable for use in bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc., free of charge by clicking here. You must be logged in as a paid subscriber to access the file.

Only current paid subscribers have the rights to use the artwork.

What is the Litany to the Blessed Host?

The Litany to the Blessed Host is a prayer written by Saint Faustina Kowalska. She prayed it before Jesus in the Eucharist. It is made up of short lines that call on Jesus in the Host with love and trust.

Where did this prayer come from?

The Litany to the Blessed Host is found in the diary of Saint Faustina. Her diary contains many prayers and reflections that she wrote during her life as a nun. This litany is one of the ways she showed her devotion to the Eucharist.

How do you pray the Litany to the Blessed Host?

You can pray it quietly before the Blessed Sacrament, either in adoration or in church. It can be prayed alone or with a group. The short lines make it easy to follow and repeat.

Why is this litany important?

The Litany to the Blessed Host helps us focus on Jesus in the Eucharist. It uses simple images like light and love, which remind us of what the Bible teaches. It is a way to grow closer to Jesus and spend time in prayer with Him.

Can youth use this prayer?

Yes. The Litany to the Blessed Host works well for young people because it is simple and clear. It can help them learn how to sit quietly with Jesus and understand the meaning of the Eucharist in their own lives.

The Litany to the Blessed Host was written by Saint Faustina Kowalska. She prayed it during her times of adoration before the Eucharist. It is one of the many prayers found in her diary. The litany shows her deep love for Jesus present in the Host.

The prayer uses short lines that call on Jesus with tender images. Saint Faustina speaks of the Host as light in the darkness, strength for the soul, and beauty hidden under bread. These images help us see how the Eucharist gives comfort and hope.

The Litany to the Blessed Host also connects to Scripture. It reminds us of Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Light of the World. It is a simple way to bring the Bible into prayer and reflect on Christ’s words.

This litany can also be used in youth ministry. Its short and clear phrases are easy for young people to follow. It invites them to sit quietly with Jesus and learn to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. It is a helpful way to build habits of prayer and reflection.

The Litany to the Blessed Host is a beautiful way to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist. It helps us slow down and focus on His presence. Whether you pray it alone or with others, this litany can guide you into silence and reflection.

We invite you to share your own experience with this prayer. Have you used it during adoration, or in youth ministry, or at home? Leave a comment below and let others know how the Litany to the Blessed Host has touched your faith journey.