Prayer Library

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 thanksgiving for your favors, in reparation for my sins, in supplication for the needs of our Holy Mother the Church, and in particular for the Holy Father's monthly intention. Amen.

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 occasions of sin. Amen.

How to Pray the Rosary: 1. Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed. 2. Pray the Our Father. 3. Pray three Hail Marys for faith, hope, and charity. 4. Pray the Glory Be. 5. Announce the First Mystery, then pray the Our Father. 6. Pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. 7. Pray the Glory Be, then 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 thy mercy." 8. Announce the Second Mystery, then repeat steps 6-7. 9. Continue through all five Mysteries. 10. After the fifth Mystery, pray the 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 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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen." 11. Make the Sign of the Cross. The Joyful Mysteries (prayed Monday and Saturday): 1. The Annunciation — The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. 2. The Visitation — Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. 3. The Nativity — Jesus is born in Bethlehem. 4. The Presentation — Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the Temple. 5. The Finding in the Temple — The twelve-year-old Jesus is found teaching in the Temple.

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

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 with this confidence, I fly to 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.

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, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Using ordinary Rosary beads: 1. Make the Sign of the Cross. 2. Pray the optional opening prayers: "You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty yourself out upon us." Then three times: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in you!" 3. Pray the Our Father. 4. Pray the Hail Mary. 5. Pray the Apostles' Creed. 6. On the Our Father beads, pray: "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." 7. On the ten Hail Mary beads, pray: "For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." 8. Repeat steps 6-7 for all five decades. 9. After the fifth decade, pray three times: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." 10. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) is a contemplative way of praying with Sacred Scripture in four movements: 1. LECTIO (Read): Choose a short passage of Scripture. Read it slowly, attentively, and reverently. Read it a second and third time. Let the words sink in. If a word or phrase stands out, take note of it. 2. MEDITATIO (Meditate): Reflect on the passage. What is God saying through this text? How does it connect to your life right now? Turn the words over in your mind and heart. Engage your imagination — place yourself in the scene if it is a narrative. Let the text speak to your circumstances. 3. ORATIO (Pray): Respond to God in prayer based on what has stirred in your heart. This may be praise, thanksgiving, repentance, petition, or simply a heartfelt conversation with the Lord. Speak honestly and openly. Let the Scripture passage shape your prayer. 4. CONTEMPLATIO (Contemplate): Rest silently in God's presence. Let go of words and thoughts. Simply be with God, allowing his love to fill you. This is not about thinking or doing but about receiving. Stay in this quiet space for as long as you are drawn to remain. Suggested time: 15-30 minutes. Begin and end with the Sign of the Cross. A journal can be helpful for recording insights from your meditation.

The Examen (Examination of Conscience) is a daily prayer of reflective awareness developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, prayed in five steps: 1. BECOME AWARE OF GOD'S PRESENCE: Settle into stillness. Recall that God has been with you throughout the entire day. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reflection and show you the day as God sees it. 2. REVIEW THE DAY WITH GRATITUDE: Walk through your day from beginning to end. Notice the gifts, large and small — a conversation, a meal, a moment of beauty, an act of kindness received or given. Give thanks to God for each one. 3. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EMOTIONS: Revisit the feelings you experienced throughout the day. Where did you feel joy, peace, or energy? Where did you feel anxiety, anger, or restlessness? These emotions are clues to where God was at work and where you may have resisted his grace. 4. CHOOSE ONE MOMENT AND PRAY FROM IT: Select the moment that stands out most — whether positive or difficult. Bring it before the Lord in honest conversation. If it was a moment of grace, offer thanks. If it was a moment of failure or struggle, ask for forgiveness and healing. 5. LOOK TOWARD TOMORROW: Ask God to show you what tomorrow may bring. Pray for the grace you will need. Resolve to be more attentive to God's presence in the day ahead. Close with the Our Father. Suggested time: 10-15 minutes at the end of the day, before sleep.

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

We give thee thanks, for all thy benefits, almighty God, who lives and reigns forever. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Act of Faith: O my God, I firmly believe that thou art one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 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. Amen. Act of Hope: O my God, relying on thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. Act of Love: 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. Amen.