Catholic Faith » Scripture, Prayer and Sacraments » Prayers
Prayers
The Sign of the Cross
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
The Our Father
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A Morning Prayer
My God, I thank You for protecting me through the night. I praise You and give You thanks for all the blessings You have bestowed on me. In union with Jesus, I consecrate to You all my thoughts, words, actions, joys and sufferings of this day. Mary, my mother, be with me this day and protect me from all danger. My Guardian Angel and all my patron saints, pray for me. Amen.
A Night Prayer
Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace. Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal You to the nations and the glory of Your people, Israel.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have given Your followers an example of gentleness and humility, a task that is easy, a burden that is light. Accept the prayers and work of this day, and give us the rest that will strengthen us to render more faithful service to You Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
The Angelus
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary,…
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Let it be done unto me according to your word.
Hail Mary,….
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary,….
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Your Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may, by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of his Resurrection, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven) recited in place of the Angelus during the Easter Season.
V. Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
R. The Son Whom you merited to bear, alleluia,
V. Has risen as He said, alleluia.
R. Pray to God for us, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray.
O God, by the Resurrection of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, You brought joy to the world. Grant that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joy of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy! Hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you, we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!
An Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your divine Son became man, died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
An Act of Love
O my God, I love You above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because You are all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all who I have injured. Amen.
An Act of Hope
O my God, relying on Your almighty power, infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of Your grace, and life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
An Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. And I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. But most of all, because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
For Church Vocations
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Good Shepherd.
You know each of us and You call us by name to serve in faith.
Help us respond generously to Your voice.
Give courage and guidance to those You call to the priesthood and the diaconate,
to religious life and lay ministry,
so they may respond wholeheartedly and serve devotedly.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the Missions
Remember our missionaries, Lord, who give up all they have to testify Your Gospel and love. Strengthen them in their moments of difficulty. Crown their labors with the victories of the Holy Spirit. Through their endeavors, may Your blessed Name be made known through the world. Surrounded by an ever growing number of Your children, may they raise to you a hymn of thanksgiving, redemption and glory. Amen.
The Serenity Prayer
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Almighty Father, You are lavish in bestowing all Your gifts, and we give You thanks for the favors You have given to us.
In Your goodness, You have favored us and kept us safe in the past.
We ask that You continue to protect us and to shelter us in the shadow of Your wings.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To you do I come, before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)
- The Annunciation of the Birth of the Lord
- The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
- The Nativity of the Lord
- The Presentation of Christ in the Temple
- The Finding of the Christ Child in the Temple
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
- Jesus’ Self-Manifestation at the Wedding of Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)
- The Agony of Jesus in the Garden
- The Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar
- The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)
- The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead
- The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- The Crowning of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth
How to Say the Rosary
- Take the crucifix in hand and make the sign of the cross with it. Then, say the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the first large bead, say the Our Father for the intentions of the Holy Father.
- On each of the three small beads, say a Hail Mary for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope and love.
- Then, recite the Gloria Patri.
- On the first large bead below the medal, remember the first mystery, reflect upon it, and say the Our Father.
- On each of the ten smaller beads, say a Hail Mary, reflecting on the mystery.
- After the ten Hail Mary’s, say the Gloria Patri.
- Each of the decades continues in the same way, calling to mind before the Our Father the specific mystery.
- At the conclusion, say the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by the prayer:
O God, Whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech You, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the divine assistance remain always with us.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan, and all the other evil spirits who prowl about this world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
A Prayer in Time of Sorrow
Father of all mercies and God of consolation, You love us eternally and transform the shadows of death into the dawn of life. Look upon our grief; be our refuge and comfort so that our sadness and sorrow may turn into the light and peace of Your presence. In dying, Your Son destroyed death; in rising, He restored life. Grant that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage we may be found in His company with our brothers and sisters. There, You shall wipe away every tear. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Joseph
O Blessed Saint Joseph, tenderhearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray you join with me in praising God the Father through His divine Son who died on the cross and rose again to give us sinners new life. Though the holy Name of Jesus, pray with me that we may obtain from the eternal Father the favor we ask for (here state your intention).
We have been unfaithful to the unfailing love of God the Father; beg of Jesus mercy for us, His brothers and sisters. Amid the splendor of God’s loving presence, do not forget the sorrows of those who weep. By your prayers and those of your most holy spouse, our Blessed Lady, may the love of Jesus answer our call of confident hope. Amen.
The Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, heal me. Blood of Christ, drench me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
Good Jesus, hear me. In Your wounds, shelter me. From turning away, keep me. From the evil one, protect me.
At the hour of my death, call me. Into Your presence lead me, to praise You with all the saints, forever and ever. Amen.
The Stations of the Cross
- Jesus is condemned to death.
- Jesus carries His cross.
- Jesus falls for the first time.
- Jesus meets His afflicted mother.
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross.
- Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
- Jesus falls for the second time.
- Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem.
- Jesus falls for the third time.
- Jesus is stripped of His clothing.
- Jesus is nailed to the cross.
- Jesus dies on the cross.
- Jesus is taken down from the cross.
- Jesus is laid in the tomb.
The Ten Commandments
- I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before Me.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
- Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
- Honor your mother and your father.
- You shall not kill.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
- You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
The Precepts of the Church
- You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation, resting from servile labor.
- You shall confess your sins at least once a year to a priest.
- You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
- You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
- You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.