Q. 1. What is the meaning of the word "Litany?"

A. 1. A litany is a liturgical prayer consisting of a series of invocations or supplications recited by a leader, alternating with fixed responses by the congregation.

A Litany usually starts with prayers such as follows:

Leader: The Lord be with you.
Response: The Lord be with you.

It then proceeds with a number of responsorial prayers such as:

Heart of Mary, after God's own Heart,
Pray for us.

Heart of Mary, in union with the Heart of Jesus,
Pray for us.

Heart of Mary, the vessel of the Holy Spirit,
Pray for us.

Heart of Mary, shrine of the Trinity,
Pray for us.

Heart of Mary, home of the Word,
Pray for us.

Heart of Mary, immaculate in your creation,
Pray for us.

Heart of Mary, flooded with grace,
Pray for us.

A litany usually ends with a prayer.