Catholic Prayers

A comprehensive collection of traditional Catholic prayers for daily devotion, special occasions, and spiritual growth

Basic Prayers Daily Prayers Rosary Prayers Sacramental Prayers Marian Prayers Emergency Prayers Seasonal Prayers

Sign of the Cross

The most fundamental Catholic prayer

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Partial Indulgence: Making the Sign of Cross devoutly

Our Father

The Lord's Prayer taught by Jesus

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.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris; et ne nos inducas in tentationem; sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

Hail Mary

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

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.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Glory Be

Doxology praising the Holy Trinity

Glory Be to the Father

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.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Apostles' Creed

Profession of Christian faith

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.

Pray with devotion: Often prayed at the beginning of the Rosary

Act of Contrition

Prayer of repentance

Traditional 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.

Daily Prayer Schedule

Recommended prayers for different times of the day

Morning Prayers

Upon Waking: Sign of the Cross, Offering of the Day

Morning Offering: "O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary..."

Recommended: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (3x)

Angelus

Times: 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM

The Angelus commemorates the Incarnation with verses and Hail Marys

"The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary..."

Meal Prayers

Before meals: "Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts..."

After meals: "We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits..."

Grace: Short prayer of thanksgiving

Evening/Night Prayers

Examination of Conscience: Review of the day

Act of Contrition: For sins committed

Night Prayer: "Now I lay me down to sleep..."

Rosary Prayers

Rosary Basics

How to pray the Rosary

Rosary Structure

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

2. Pray the Apostles' Creed

3. Pray the Our Father

4. Pray 3 Hail Marys

5. Pray the Glory Be

6. Announce the First Mystery

7. Pray the Our Father

8. Pray 10 Hail Marys

9. Pray the Glory Be

10. Pray the Fatima Prayer

11. Repeat steps 6-10 for remaining mysteries

12. Conclude with Hail Holy Queen

Rosary Mysteries

Days for each set of mysteries

Joyful Mysteries

Days: Monday & Saturday

1. The Annunciation

2. The Visitation

3. The Nativity

4. The Presentation

5. The Finding in the Temple

Sorrowful Mysteries

Days: Tuesday & Friday

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

Glorious Mysteries

Days: Wednesday & Sunday

1. The Resurrection

2. The Ascension

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

4. The Assumption

5. The Coronation of Mary

Luminous Mysteries

Days: Thursday

1. The Baptism of Jesus

2. The Wedding at Cana

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

4. The Transfiguration

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Rosary Conclusion

Prayers to end the Rosary

Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley 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.

Rosary 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 Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sacramental Prayers

Eucharist Prayers

Before and after Communion

Prayer Before Communion

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that you are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly your pure Body and that this is truly your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to you: have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and in deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for life eternal. Amen.

Prayer After Communion

I thank You, O holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, who have deigned, not through any merits of mine, but out of the condescension of Your goodness, to satisfy me, a sinner and Your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for my judgment and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation. Amen.

Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Confession Prayers

Before and after Reconciliation

Examination of Conscience

Questions to ask:

1. Have I prayed daily?

2. Have I used God's name irreverently?

3. Have I honored my parents?

4. Have I harmed anyone physically or emotionally?

5. Have I been chaste in thoughts and actions?

6. Have I stolen or damaged others' property?

7. Have I lied or gossiped?

8. Have I coveted others' possessions?

Prayer After Confession

O my God, I thank you for washing away my sins in the Precious Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. I thank you for the grace of this sacrament. Help me now by your grace to avoid the sins I have confessed and to overcome my faults. Make me strong when I am tempted, watchful over my senses, and faithful in your service. Amen.

Marian Prayers

Traditional Marian Prayers

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy 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.

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.

Sub Tuum Praesidium

We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.

Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen.

Marian Devotions

Special prayers and consecrations

Consecration to Mary

O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of mercy, Queen of Heaven and Refuge of sinners, I consecrate myself to your Immaculate Heart. I give you my body, my soul, my goods, my life, my death, and all that will come after it. I place in your hands all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life. Dispose of me and all I have according to your will and for the greater glory of God in time and eternity. Amen.

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...

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.

Emergency & Special Need Prayers

Prayers for urgent situations and special intentions

Prayer for Protection

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.

Prayer for the Sick

O God, who are the only source of health and healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of the universe; grant to [name] such a consciousness of Your indwelling and surrounding presence that they may permit You to give them health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Dying

O God, great and merciful, grant to [name] whom you are calling out of this life, a gentle death. Free them from the anguish of fear, and send your angels to lead them to paradise. May they see you, their Creator and Redeemer, face to face, and possess you forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer in Doubt or Anxiety

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you." Look not on my sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant her the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer in Temptation

O God, who knows our weakness, look with compassion on my lowly state. In the hour of temptation, grant me strength to resist. Let not my foot slip, nor my heart be led astray. Through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Help

O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. You are my rescuer, my help in moments of distress and fear. I place all my trust in you. Let me never be confounded. Amen.

Seasonal Prayers

Advent Prayers

Preparing for Christmas

Advent Wreath Prayer

O Lord, stir up your might, we beg you, and come. By your protection, may we be rescued from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins, and be saved by your deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Christmas Novena

O Divine Infant Jesus, I adore You and love You with all my heart. You are so deserving of my love and yet I have often offended You. Forgive me, I beg You. I desire to love You always; increase my love for You more and more. I place all my trust in You. I love You, O Incarnate Word; I love You, O Infant God. Amen.

Lenten Prayers

Season of repentance

Prayer for Lent

Lord, during this Lenten season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer. Fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass. Amen.

Stations of the Cross Prayer

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Because by Your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world. O God, who for the redemption of the world was pleased to be born, circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the kiss of Judas, bound with cords, led as an innocent lamb to sacrifice, and shamefully presented before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod; grant, we beseech You, that we may worthily meditate on these things, and in remembrance of Your most bitter Passion, may merit to obtain Your everlasting mercy. Amen.

Easter Prayers

Season of resurrection

Easter Prayer

Lord God, you have brightened this night with the radiance of the risen Christ. Quicken the spirit of sonship in your Church; renew us in mind and body to give you wholehearted service. Grant that we may be united with Christ and share his eternal life, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Pentecost Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.