Catholic Prayers
The essential prayers of the Catholic faith — memorize them, pray them daily, and let them shape your heart.
Essential Prayers
Sign of the Cross
The most fundamental Catholic prayer gesture, made at the beginning and end of all prayers and the Mass.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Father
Pater NosterThe prayer Jesus Himself taught His disciples. The most important prayer in Christianity.
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.
Hail Mary
Ave MariaCombining the angel Gabriel's greeting and Elizabeth's words with a petition for Mary's intercession.
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.
Glory Be
Gloria PatriA brief hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity, prayed throughout the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary.
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.
Apostles' Creed
An ancient summary of the core beliefs of the Catholic faith, traditionally attributed to the twelve Apostles.
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 rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence 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.
Confession Prayers
Act of Contrition
Prayed during the Sacrament of Reconciliation to express sorrow for sins. Several versions exist; this is the most common.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, 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 Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Marian Prayers
The Memorare
A beloved prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularized by Fr. Claude Bernard in the 17th century.
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
Salve ReginaOne of the four Marian antiphons, prayed at the end of the Rosary and in the Liturgy of the Hours.
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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
The Angelus
Traditionally prayed three times daily (6 AM, noon, 6 PM) to honor the Incarnation. Church bells often ring to signal 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. 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. 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.
Daily Prayers
Morning Offering
A prayer offered upon waking to consecrate the entire day to God.
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
Guardian Angel Prayer
A simple prayer to your guardian angel, often one of the first prayers Catholic children learn.
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.
Grace Before Meals
A blessing said before eating to give thanks to God for His provision.
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grace After Meals
A prayer of thanksgiving after eating.
We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, who livest and reignest world without end. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Protection Prayers
Prayer to St. Michael
Composed by Pope Leo XIII after a mystical vision. Traditionally prayed after Low Mass and widely used for spiritual protection.
St. 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 hosts, 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.
Saints Prayers
Prayer of St. Francis
A beloved prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, though its actual origin is early 20th century France.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayers
Anima Christi
Soul of ChristA medieval prayer often prayed after receiving Holy Communion. Beloved by St. Ignatius of Loyola.
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 forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Spirit Prayers
Come, Holy Spirit
An ancient prayer invoking the Holy Spirit, often prayed before important decisions, meetings, or study.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rosary Prayers
The Fatima Prayer
Taught by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917, prayed after each decade of the Rosary.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
For the Dead Prayers
Eternal Rest
Prayed for the souls of the faithful departed, especially at funerals and on All Souls' Day.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
These prayers are part of the living tradition of the Catholic Church. For guidance on building a personal prayer life, consider speaking with a priest or spiritual director.