Basic Catholic Prayers

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

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.

The 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 to the Father

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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 Ghost, 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 thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. 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 towards us. And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle; be our defense 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 thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits; who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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.

Morning Offering

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, offered this day throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my associates and in particular for the intentions of Holy Mother Church. I desire to gain all the indulgences attached to my prayers and works this day. Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this night be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy 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 Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

Act of Hope

O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain the pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Redeemer.

Act of Charity

O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Act of Contrition

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.

The Angelus 

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary...
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary...
And the Word was made flesh (genuflect)
And dwelt amongst 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 Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Regina Caeli (Paschaltide)

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.
For He Whom Thou didst merit to bear, Alleluia.
Hath risen as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God, Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad O Virgin Mary, Alleluia.
R. For the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, Who by the resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the whole world, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of eternal life, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Grace before Meals

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

We give Thee thanks Almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. And may the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Fatima Prayers

My God, I believe, I adore, I trust and I love Thee, and I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not trust, and do not love Thee. (3 times)

O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of Sacred Heart of Jesus in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners.

O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee! My God, my God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament. O my Jesus, it is for love of Thee and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary and for the conversion of poor sinners.

Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that Thou are really present in the most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. I love Thee above everything else, and I long to receive Thee into my soul. I cannot now receive Thee in Holy Communion, but I beg Thee to come to me at least spiritually. I embrace Thee as already there, and unite myself entirely to Thee. Grant that I may never be separated from Thee! Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, enkindle in our hearts love of Thee.