Catholic Prayers
Catholic Prayers
“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.”- Catechism of the Catholic Church (2559)
Here is a list of a few common prayers rooted in our faith. Whether one is using a prayer listed below or speaking to God with words from their own heart, prayer is what builds our relationship with our Heavenly Father and brings us closer to Him.
Sign of the Cross
Touch the forehead, then the chest, then the left shoulder, then the right shoulder, while saying:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesu Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
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.
Golden Arrow
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored, and glorified, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the most holy Sacrament of the altar.
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 your wounds, hide me. Permit me never to be separated from you. From the malicious enemy, defend me. In the hour of my death, call me, and bid me come to you, so that I may praise you, with all your Saints and Angels, forever and ever.
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 by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you 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.
Prayer to Saint 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 may you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the Divine Power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Dedication to Christ
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.
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 vale of tears. Turn, then, O 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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer of Saint Francis
O Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, unity; where there is doubt, faith; where there is error, truth; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may seek: not so much 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.
Act of Love
O my God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things, because you are infinitely good and perfect; and in my love for you, I love my neighbor as myself. Grant that I may love you more and more in this life, and in the next, for all eternity.
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe all the truths that the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches; I believe these truths, O Lord, because you, the infallible Truth, has revealed them to Her. In this faith, I am resolved to live and to die.
Act of Hope
O my God, relying on your promises, I hope that, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, you will grant me forgiveness from all my sins, and the graces necessary to serve you in this life and to obtain eternal happiness in the next. You may end each prayer with the word: Amen.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Find the steps of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at TheDivineMercy.org
Prayers of Contrition and Repentance
My God, I am sorry for having offended you and for having harmed my neighbor. I regret all of my sins, because I fear the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all out of love for you, my Savior, who is perfect in Love and Mercy. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
O God, in your great Mercy and Love, grant that I may sincerely and thoroughly repent from all my sins, and humbly and devoutly receive your forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And grant this same merciful grace to other poor sinners, especially those most in need of repentance and forgiveness.
Merciful Jesus, I offer you my little prayers and sufferings, united with your great prayers and sufferings on the Cross, for the conversion of sinners. In your great Mercy and Love for all, grant that we may sincerely and thoroughly repent from every sin, and humbly receive your forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
O God, by your merciful grace, grant that I may persevere in the one true Roman Catholic Faith throughout the remainder of my life, no matter what sufferings and trials may fall upon me. Lord Jesus Christ, by your merciful prayers and sufferings and death on the Cross, grant that all those who have fallen away from the fullness of faith may repent, confess, do penance and humbly return to complete faith in every teaching of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on me, a sinner.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Jesus, Mary, I love you, save souls.
Eternal Father, I offer you the most precious blood of your Divine Son Jesus, in union with all the Masses said throughout the world, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, in my home, and in my family. Amen.