Prayers

1. The Sign of the Cross

The most fundamental Catholic gesture and prayer, marking the believer as belonging to Christ.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

2. The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)

The "Perfect Prayer" taught by Jesus Himself to His disciples (Matthew 6:9-13).

"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."

3. The Hail Mary (Ave Maria)

A scriptural prayer honoring the Mother of God, combining the Angel Gabriel's greeting and Elizabeth's praise (Luke 1).

"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."

4. The Glory Be (Doxology)

A brief hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity used at the end of psalms and decades of the Rosary.

"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."

5. The Apostles' Creed

A summary of the faithful's belief, dating back to the early Church in Rome.

"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 from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there 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."

6. The Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

The traditional closing prayer of the Rosary, seeking Mary’s intercession.

"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 toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."

7. The Act of Contrition

Prayed during the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) to express sorrow for sins.

"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, 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 sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen."

8. The Angelus

Traditionally prayed three times a day (6 AM, Noon, and 6 PM) to commemorate the Incarnation.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary...) 

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. (Hail Mary...) 

V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. (Hail Mary...) 

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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.