Catholic Prayers A TREASURY OF CATHOLIC PRAYER Prayer and worship are at the heart of our Catholic faith. It is important that our students know and pray the traditional prayers of the Church, as well as give voice to prayer in their own thoughts and words. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water. There, Christ comes to meet evey human being. (CCC 2559) This booklet includes texts of many traditional prayers of the Catholic Church for use with your family and indicates the grade level when children should know these prayers. May God richly bless you and your family as you pray these prayers together in your home. FOR YOUR FAMILY
Act of Contrition (Contemporary) (Grades 2-8) O my God, I am sorry I have sinned. Please forgive me. I know you love me. I want to love you and to be good to everyone. Help me make up for my sins. I will try to do better from now on. Amen. Angel of God (Grades K - 8) Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God s love commits me here. Ever this day, be at my side, To light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Act of Contrition (Traditional) (Grades 2-8) O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments; 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 sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen. Act of Faith (Grades 6-8) O my God, I firmly believe that You are the one God in three Divine Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your Divine Son became man and 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 revealed them; You who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Act of Hope (Grades 6-8) O my God, relying on Your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Act of Love (Grades 6-8) 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 I ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Angelus (Grades 5-8) The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace... Holy Mary, Mother of God... Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word. Hail Mary, full of grace... Holy Mary, Mother of God... and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Hail Mary, full of grace... Holy Mary, Mother of God... Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. 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 the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostles Creed (Grades 5-8) 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 from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits 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. Divine Praises (Grades 3-8 be exposed to this prayer) Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the Great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints. Come Holy Spirit (Grades 7-8) Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your divine love. V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. R. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of your faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in your consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Episcopal Blessing (Grades 7-8) Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Now and forever. Our help is in the Name of the Lord. Who made heaven and earth.
Eternal Rest (Grades 7-8) Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen Glory Be to the Father (Grades K - 8) 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. Grace Before Meals (Grades K - 8) 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 Grades (K - 8) We give You thanks for all Your benefits, O Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever; world without end. Amen. Hail Holy Queen (Grades 4-8) Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness and our hope! To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning, and weeping in this valley 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! Amen.
Hail Mary (Grades K - 8) Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. I Confess (Confiteor) (Grades 4-8) I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do, and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God, the Son; Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Tower of Ivory,
House of gold, Ark of the covenant, Mother most Chaste, Mother inviolate, Mother undefiled, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of good counsel, Mother of our Savior, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror of justice, Seat of wisdom, Cause of our joy, Spiritual vessel, Vessel of honor, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, Queen of Angels, Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Confessors, Queen of Virgins, Queen of all Saints Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven, Queen of the most holy Rosary, Queen of Peace, Singular vessel of devotion, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes the away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Grant, we beg you, O Lord God, that we your servants, may enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Litany of the Saints (Contemporary) (Petitions to the Saints) Holy Mary, Mother of God, Most honored of all virgins, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Angels of God, (Prophets & Fathers of our Faith) Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, Holy patriarchs and prophets, (Apostles and Followers of Christ) St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. John and St. James, St. Thomas, St. Matthew, All holy apostles, St. Luke, St. Mark, St. Barnabas,
St. Mary Magdalene, All disciples of the Lord, (Martyrs) St. Stephen, St. Ignatius, St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, St. Agnes, St. Maria Goretti, All holy martyrs for Christ, (Bishops and Doctors) St. Leo and St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, All holy men and women, Lord God, you know our weaknesses. In your mercy, grant that the example of your saints may bring us back to love and serve you through Christ our Lord. Amen. Magnificat My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My spirit finds joy in God my savior, For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages come shall call me blessed. God who is mighty has done great by me, holy is His name; His mercy is from age to age on those He has shown might with his arm; He has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry He has given every good thing, while the rich He has sent empty away. He has upheld Israel His servant, ever mindful of his mercy; even as He promised our father, promised Abraham and his descendants forever. Memorare Remember, 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 to 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. Amen. Morning Offering (Grades 7-8) O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You all 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, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our associates, and for the general intention recommended this month.
Nicene Creed (Grades 4-8) We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and become man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day, He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right had of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Our Father (Grades 1-8) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name; your Kingdom come; your 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. Queen of Heaven (Regina Coeli) (Grades 3-8) Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For He whom you were chosen to bear, alleluia, Has arisen as He said, alleluia. Pray to God for us, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, alleluia, For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray: Father, you were pleased to give joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Grant, we beseech you, that through the mediation of the Virgin Mary, His mother, we may come to possess the joys of life everlasting, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. The Rosary (Grades 5-8) 1. Sign of the cross and Apostles Creed 2. Our Father 3. Three Hail Marys 4. Glory be to the Father 5. Announce the first mystery; Our Father 6. Ten Hail Marys 7. Glory be to the Father Repeat the last three steps, meditating on the other mysteries of the rosary. JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Mondays and Thursdays): 1. The Annunciation (Humility) Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 1:26-38 2. The Visitation (Charity) Isaiah 40:1-10; Luke 1:39-45; John 1:19-23 3. The Nativity (Poverty) Micah 5:1-5; Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-20; Galatians 4:1-7 4. The Presentation (Obedience) Luke 2:22-35; Hebrews 9:6-14 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Piety) Luke 2:41-50; John 12:44-50; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesdays & Fridays): 1. The Agony in the Garden (Repentance) Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:26-42; Luke 22:38-53; John 18:1-12 2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) Isaiah 50:5-9; Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:1-16 3. The Crowning with Thorns (Courage) Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:10; Matthew 16:24-28, 27:22-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 23:6-11; John 19:1-7 4. The Carrying of the Cross (Patience) Mark 8:31-38, 16:20-25; Luke 22:20-32; John 19:17-22; Philippians 2:6-11 5. The Crucifixion (Self-renunciation) Mark 15:33-39; Luke 23:33-46; John 19:17-37; Acts 22:22-24; Hebrews 9:11-14 GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturdays) 1. The Resurrection (Faith) Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11; John 20:1-10; Romans 6:1-14: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 2. The Ascension (Hope) Matthew 28:16-20, 24:44-53: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-7 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit Upon the Apostles (Love) John 14:15-21; Acts 2:1-11, 4:32-31, 11:44-48 4. The Assumption (Eternal Happiness) John 11:17-27; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 42-57; Revelations 21:1-6 5. The Coronation of Mary (Marian Devotion) Matthew 5:1-12; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelations 7:1-4, 9-12, 21:1-6 Sign of the Cross (Grades K - 8) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Stations of the Cross 1. Jesus is condemned to death Yes, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have eternal life. Jn 3:16 3. Jesus falls the first time We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh burdened Him with the sins of all of us. Is 53:6 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me. Mt. 25:40 2. Jesus bears His cross If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. Lk 9:23 4. Jesus meets His mother All you who pass this way, look and see; is any sorrow like the sorrow that afflicts me? Lam 1:12 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus To have seen me is to have seen the Father. Jn 14:9 7. Jesus falls a second time Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Mt. 11:28
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. Lk 23:28 9. Jesus falls a third time Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.lk 14:11 11. Jesus is nailed to the cross When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four shares, one for each soldier. Jn 19:23 13. Jesus is taken down from the cross Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into His glory? Lk 24:26 10. Jesus is stripped of His garments None of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions. Lk 14:33 12. Jesus dies on the cross When Jesus had taken the wine, He said, It is finished. Bowing His head, He handed over His spirit. Jn 19:30 The Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Holy Days of Obligation All Sundays of the year December 8 Immaculate Conception December 25 Christmas Day January 1 Mary, Mother of God August 15 Assumption of Mary November 1 All Saints Day 14. Jesus is placed in the tomb Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Jn 12:24
Precepts of the Church 1. To keep holy the day of the Lord s Resurrection: To worship God by participating in Mass every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation; to avoid those activities that would hinder renewal of soul and body; e.g. needless work and business activities, unnecessary shopping, etc. 2. To lead a sacramental life: To receive Holy Communion frequently and the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly minimally, to receive the sacrament of reconciliation at least once a year (obligatory annually only if serious sin is involved) minimally to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday. 3. To study Catholic teaching in preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed and, then to continue to study and advance the cause of Christ. The Ten Commandments (Grades 5-8) 1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord s day. 4. Honor your father and your mother 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor s wife. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor s goods. 4. To observe the marriage laws of the church: To give religious training (by example and word) to one s children; to use parish schools and religious education programs. 5. To strengthen and support the Church: One s own parish community and parish priests; the worldwide Church and the Holy Father. 6. To do penance: including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days. 7. To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church. The Two Great Commandments 1. You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind. 2. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Shelter the homeless Visit the sick Visit the imprisoned Bury the dead The Spiritual Works of Mercy Counsel the doubtful Instruct the ignorant Admonish the sinner Comfort the sorrowful Forgive injuries Bear wrongs patiently Pray for the living and the dead