The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Traced from forehead to chest, then left shoulder to right, to begin and end prayer.
Prayers
A treasury of the Church's most beloved prayers — to learn by heart, to pray as a family, and to carry with you.
Essential Prayers
The Lord's Prayer
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 amongst 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.
Glory Be
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.
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; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will 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.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
Prayed in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to express sorrow for sin.
Marian Prayers
Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Traditionally prayed at the conclusion of the Holy Rosary.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
A prayer of trustful petition attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace... V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary, full of grace... V. And the Word was made flesh, R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary, full of grace... 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 thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, thy 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 the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Traditionally prayed three times daily — at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.
The Holy Rosary
The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of his Mother. Begin on the crucifix with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed. On the first bead pray the Our Father; on the next three beads pray a Hail Mary; then pray the Glory Be. For each of the five decades: announce the mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be (with the optional Fatima Prayer). Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen. The Four Sets of Mysteries: The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays) 1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation 3. The Nativity 4. The Presentation in the Temple 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays) 1. The Agony in the Garden 2. The Scourging at the Pillar 3. The Crowning with Thorns 4. The Carrying of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays) 1. The Resurrection 2. The Ascension 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. The Assumption of Mary 5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays) 1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan 2. The Wedding at Cana 3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God 4. The Transfiguration 5. The Institution of the Eucharist
Pray the mysteries that correspond to the day of the week, meditating on each as you pray the decade.
Devotions
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection 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 evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Composed by Pope Leo XIII; often prayed for spiritual protection.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet
Prayed on ordinary rosary beads. Begin: Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed. On each large bead (the Our Father beads), pray: "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." On each of the ten small beads, pray: "For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Repeat for five decades. Conclude (three times): "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
Given to St. Faustina; traditionally prayed at 3 p.m., the Hour of Mercy.
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come unto thee, that with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.
A traditional prayer of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion.
Daily Prayers
Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
A simple prayer to one's guardian angel, often taught to children.
Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayed before eating, giving thanks to God for his gifts.
Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. Amen.
Prayed upon waking, offering the whole day to God.