What is litany definition?

A litany is a form of prayer in which a series of petitions are pronounced by a leader and responded to by a group of people. It is a repetitive and formal prayer that has a call-and-response pattern. The leader of the litany recites a series of phrases or petitions, and the congregation responds with a short refrain or response. Litany is usually used in religious worship, but it can also be used in other contexts such as political rallies or protests. Traditionally, litanies are used to invoke the intercession of saints, especially the Virgin Mary, but in modern times, it can serve as a way of expressing communal needs or concerns.