Basic Catholic Prayers

The 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 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 are 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 Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Apostle's 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 rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, 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 Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

A Morning Prayer

In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ I will begin this day. I thank You, Lord, for having preserved me during the night. I will do my best to make all I do today pleasing to You and in accordance with Your will. My dear Mother Mary, watch over me this day. My Guardian Angel, take care of me. St. Joseph and all you saints of God, pray for me... (add your daily offering)

A Daily Offering

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the apostles of prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

The Angelus

L: The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: 
R: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

ALL: 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. 

L: Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
R: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

ALL: Hail Mary . . . 

L: And the Word was made Flesh:
R: And dwelt among us. 

ALL: Hail Mary . . . 

L: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
R: that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

L: Let us pray: 

ALL: 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.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, 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 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.

Prayer before Meals

Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

An Evening Prayer

O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made a better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear Heavenly Mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear guardian angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory... (followed by an Act of Contrition)

Stewardship Prayer

Loving God, I come to You in thanksgiving, knowing that all I am and all that I have is a gift from You. In faith and love, help me to do your will. I am listening, Lord God. Speak Your words into the depth of my soul, that I may hear You clearly. I offer to You this day all the facets of my life, whether it be at home, at work, or at school – to be patient, to be merciful, to be generous, to be holy. Give me the wisdom and insight to understand Your will for me and the fervor to carry out my good intentions. I offer my gifts of time, talent and possessions to You as a true act of faith, to reflect my love for You and my neighbor. Help me to reach out to others as You my God have reached out to me.