Recited Prayers

Recited prayer is a vital way of connecting to God through the community of believers-by saying prayers that have been prayed for generations, you are participating in a worldwide, centuries-long relationship between God and his people. Of course, it’s important that these recited prayers do not substitute for an authentic, spontaneous relationship with God. Like saying “how are you?” to friends, these prayers need to be deliberate and intended. It’s not necessarily about the words-people often use the rosary to meditate, not to think about the content of the “Hail Mary,”-but it is about your intention. These prayers shouldn’t be a duty or a magical way to get God to do what you want. They’re a way to grow closer through reciting what has already been said-like saying “good night” before you go to bed.

Sign of the Cross
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 by 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 you. 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, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, 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 confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

The Rosary
Learn to do the rosary online with the virtual rosary that you can download. The program not only guides you through all the prayers and mysteries of the rosary, but they also give you the chance to share prayers with other people using the program.

The Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of your Mercy. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale 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 they womb, Jesus. O clement. O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 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 Spirit. 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. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from thence he will 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.

The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and 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: (all bow up to the words “and became man”) by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became 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 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.

Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To thee 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.

Angelus
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
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.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary. . .
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hail Mary. . .
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.

Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the courage to change the things I can,
the serenity to accept those I cannot,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
But God, grant me the courage not to give up on what I think is right,
even though I think it is hopeless.
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
for all Thy benefits
O Almighty God
Who reignest forever;
World without end.
Amen.

Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 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. Amen.

Guardian Angel Prayer
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,
to rule and guide. Amen.

Prayer of Saint Ignatius
Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give without counting the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for reward, except to know that I am doing your will. Amen.

Prayer of Thomas Merton
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me
Nor do I really know myself,
And the fact that I think I am following your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
Does in fact please you.
And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though,
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
And you will never leave me to face my struggles alone.