Catholic Prayers
The full words of the traditional prayers, with where they come from and when to pray them.
Essential prayers
Sign of the CrossIt names the Trinity and recalls the Cross in one short gesture.Our FatherJesus gave this prayer himself (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4).Glory BeIt is a short hymn of praise to the Trinity, also called the Gloria Patri.Apostles' CreedIt sums up the core beliefs of the faith in twelve short statements.Nicene CreedIt is the creed prayed at Mass on Sundays and solemnities.Act of ContritionIt expresses sorrow for sin and a resolve to change.Act of FaithFaith is both a gift from God and a free human response (CCC 153-155).Act of HopeHope is trust that God will give us eternal life and the grace to reach it.Act of LoveCharity is the greatest of the theological virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Prayers to Mary
Hail MaryThe first half is the words of the angel Gabriel and Elizabeth (Luke 1:28, 42).Hail Holy QueenIt is the traditional closing prayer of the Rosary.MemorareMemorare is Latin for "Remember."AngelusIt remembers the Incarnation: God becoming man in Mary.Regina CaeliIt replaces the Angelus from Easter Sunday through Pentecost.Fatima PrayerIt is said after the Glory Be at the end of each Rosary decade.
Daily prayers
Morning OfferingIt offers the whole day, good and hard, to God.Anima ChristiIt is a short prayer of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion.Eternal Rest PrayerCatholics pray for the dead because souls may need purification (CCC 1030-1032).Grace Before MealsIt thanks God for food and asks his blessing on it.
Prayers to the saints and angels
St. Michael PrayerIt asks St. Michael for protection from the devil and temptation.Guardian Angel PrayerCatholics believe every person has a guardian angel from birth (CCC 336).Prayer to St. JosephPope Leo XIII put it in his 1889 encyclical Quamquam Pluries.Prayer to St. JudeSt. Jude (Thaddeus) was one of the twelve apostles.Prayer to St. AnthonySt. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is the patron saint of lost things.St. Gertrude PrayerIt offers the Precious Blood of Jesus, together with every Mass said that day, for the souls in purgatory and for sinners, ending with your own home and family.