prayer database: common prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the †Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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 Spirit; born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into Hell, the third day he arose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and He sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence he shoulst 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.
Nicene Creed
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, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
(bow) by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand 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
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 your daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we have forgiven those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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.
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 are 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.
Prayer to St. Michael
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in 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 hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Angel of God
(Prayer to My Guardian Angel)
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love entrusts me here, ever this day be at my side to light and to guard, to rule and to guide.
Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
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,
Rule and guide.
Amen.
Meal Prayers
Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy gifts,
which we are about to receive,
through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
After Meals
We give thee thanks, Almighty God,
for these and all thy benefits,
which we have received through Christ, Our Lord.
And may all the souls of the faithful departed
rest in peace. Amen.
Morning Offering
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,
in reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular
for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.
Serenity Prayer
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoining one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Prayer for Daily Neglects
Eternal Father, I offer You the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, its sufferings and merits...
To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life.
Glory be to the Father...
To purify the good I have done poorly this day and during all my life.
Glory be to the Father...
To supply for the good I have failed to do this day and during all my life.
Glory be to the Father...
Angelus
The Angelus is traditionally recited morning (6:00 a.m.), noon and evening (6:00 p.m.) throughout the year except during Paschal time, when the Regina Coeli is recited instead.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
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.
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.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.
Magnificat
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever. Amen.
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 with with 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.
Mysteries of the Rosary
Rosary Basics
1. Holding the crucifix, make the sign of the cross.
Say the Apostles Creed.
2. You may say an Our Father while holding the next bead
and a Hail Mary while holding each of the next three in turn.
3. Holding the fourth bead up from the crucifix,
announce the first mystery, then say an Our Father.
4. Say ten Hail Marys, one on each bead, while
meditating on the mystery.
5. Say the Glory Be.
6. Announce the second mystery; then say the Our Father
Repeat 4 and 5 and continue with the third, fourth, and
fifth mysteries in the same manner.
7. Say the Hail Holy Queen
End with the sign of the cross.
The John Paul the Great Method
Pope John Paul the Great proposed a new method of saying the rosary.
He explains it in his October 2002 apostolic letter.
Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary)
1. There are four beads above the crucifix: One good custom is to say the Creed and then an Our Father and three Hail Marys. The Pope writes that the opening words of Psalm 70: "O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me" may be prayed at the beginning of the rosary instead (Pope John Paul the Great, Rosary, No. 37).
2. Announce each mystery, and display an icon, a pictoral representation of the mystery (No. 29).
3. Scripture reading. REad a Gospel passage at the beginning of each mystery and a commentary when appropriate (No. 30).
4. Be silent after the reading (No 31).
5. Additional clause. Add a clause after saying "Jesus" in the Hail Mary to draw attention to the name of Jesus, which is the "center of gravity" in the prayer (No. 33).
Example: The Annunciation: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, conceived in you by the Holy Spirit. Holy Mary...
6. When in public, sing the Glory Be (No. 34).
7. Concluding prayer. End each mystery with a prayer for the grace to imitate each mystery.
8. Close by praying for the Holy Father's intentions.
9. Pray a litany at the end (No. 37)
Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38)
The Visitation (Lk 1:39-56)
The Nativity (Lk 2:1-20)
The Presentation (Lk 2: 22-38)
Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple (Lk 3:41-52)
(As suggested by Pope John Paul the Great, the Joyful Mysteries should be said on Monday and Saturday.)
Luminous Mysteries
The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan (Mt 3:13-17)
The Wedding Feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-11)
The Proclamation of the Kingdom (Mk 1:15, 2:3-13)
The Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-8)
The Institution of the Eucharist (Mt 26:26-32)
(To be said on Thursday)
Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden (Lk 22:39-46)
The Scourging at the Pillar (Mk 15:6-15)
The Crowning with Thorns (Jn 19:1-8)
The Carrying of the Cross (Jn 19:16-22)
The Crucifixion of Jesus (Jn 19:25-30)
(To be said on Tuesday and Friday)
Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection (Mt 28:1-10)
The Ascension (Acts 1:6-11)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13)
The Assumption (Revelation 12:1-3, 13-18)
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin (Revelation 12:1-5)
(To be said n Wednesday and Sunday)
Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created;
and You shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, You instructed 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 Jesus Christ out Lord. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(3 times)
Lord, Jesus Christ, You have been pleased to glorify by numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, immaculate from the first moment of her conception. Grant that all who devoutly implore her protection on earth may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, God forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, for the accomplishment of your works, You have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in your sight. And for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, You have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested to Saint Catherine Labouré. Grant, we beseech You, that filled with like humility, we may glorify this mystery by the word and work. Amen.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, tat never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored you help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you I come, before you stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Immaculate Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ and out Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this Novena, if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the souls for which we pray...
(Mention your request).
You know, Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son Who hates iniquity. Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone so that out every thought, word and deed may tend to His greater glory. Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the
Queen of Angels and of Men. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
(3 times)
Amen.
***Optional hymns are often used to open (i.e. Immaculate Mary) and close (i.e. Hail Holy Queen).
Regina Coeli
[To be said standing, during the Paschal season]
O QUEEN Of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia.
For He whom thou did merit to bear, Alleluia,
Has arisen, as He said, Alleluia.
Pray for us to God. Alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
R. For the Lord has risen indeed. Alleluia.
Let us pray.
O God, Who through the Resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, did
vouchsafe to fill the world with joy; grant, we beseech Thee, that, through His
Virgin Mother, Mary, we may lay hold on the joys of everlasting life. Through
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sub Tuum
We fly to your patronage,
0 holy Mother of God;
despise not our prayers in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.