This is one of the oldest forms of liturgical prayer. Essentially this is a cry for help with invocations of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Trinity, the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, then a multitude of the universal saints. Since local saints are sometimes included, modern historians look to the Litanies for clues as to the origin of the book.

As for decoration, miniatures are usually not used to introduce the Litanies; but, the various saints may be found in the margins.

One example of a saint found in the margins could be Saint Nicholas of Myra. Often depicted in his bishop’s garb, he usually will hold a crosier and is middle aged. Nicholas’ attributes are shown as follows: three balls or purses, lying at his feet or placed on a book; three children in a tub; or an anchor. (For examples of saints in the margins, see The Suffrages of the Saints.)
 
 

Litany of the Saints