Catholic Prayers

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 I love Thee, my God, Who art 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.


Advent Prayer to Jesus
You are our eternal salvation, The unfailing light of the world. Light everlasting, You are truly our redemption. Grieving that the human race was perishing through the tempter's power, without leaving the heights You came to the depths in your loving kindness. Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will, You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost, Restoring joy to the world. Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ, and so possess us as Your shining dwellings. By Your first coming, make us righteous; At your second coming, set us free: So that, when the world is filled with light and you judge all things, We may be clad in spotless robes and follow in Your steps, O King, Into the heavenly hall.


All Saints Prayer
Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God, today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place. May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Annunciation Prayer
Lord who came down from heaven and stayed in the womb of St. Mary, after making the annunciation to her through his head of angels, is blessed. The Lord is blessed whom the heaven and earth, Angels and mankind are praising always. Oh Lord let the intercession of your mother be a fort for us all. Peace be unto thee, Mother of the Sun of righteousness. Peace be unto thee, the palace of holiness, Peace be unto thee the ship full of blessings, the fruit of your virginity is blessed, Holy Mother please pray for us, so that we would also be holy like you in our lives. Lord have mercy upon us. Lord Jesus, who was kind enough to take the presence in humble virgin, kindly live in us and redeem us from the strong bondages of sins and death. Lord make us good and worthy divine homes, so that you could stay in us. Lord who had been kind enough to take the human body from the virgin, unite us all in your peace. Unite us all with your grace. Fill your love in us so that we could share the love with you and among us all. Make us worthy to praise thee with your blessed Mother and all the saints. Holy virgin Mother, you are blessed, By thy prayers let the Holy church and her children be saved from all sorts of calamities and let all the departed get forgiveness for their sins. Amen.


Ascension Prayer
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son our Redeemer, to have ascended this day into heaven, may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things. Amen

Ash Wednesday Prayer
Father in Heaven, the light of your truth bestows sight to the darkness of sinful eyes. May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness and the gift of Your light. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen

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


Candlemas Prayer

All-powerful Father, Christ your Son became man for us and was presented in the temple. May he free our hearts from sin and bring us into your presence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Come Holy Spirit Come
Come, thou Holy Spirit, come: And from thy celestial home send thy light and brilliancy. Come, thou father of the poor, come who givest all our store, come the soul's true radiancy. Come, of comforters the best, of the soul the sweetest guest, sweetly and refreshingly. Come, in labour rest most sweet, shade and coolness in the heat, comfort in adversity. Thou who art the Light most blest, come fulfill their inmost breast, who believe most faithfully. For without thy Godhead's dower, man hath nothing in his power, save to work iniquity. What is filthy make thou pure, what is wounded work its cure, water what is parched and dry. Gently bend the stubborn will, warm to life the heart that's chill, guide who goeth erringly. Fill thy faithful who adore, and confess thee evermore, with thy sevenfold mystery. Here thy grace and virtue send, grant salvation in the end, and in heaven felicity. Amen.

Epiphany Prayer
O God Who by a star guided the wise men to the worship of your Son we pray you to lead to yourself the wise and great of every land that unto you every knee may bow, and every thought be brought into captivity Through Jesus Christ our Lord.Hail MaryHail 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.

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. Pray for us, o Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Healing Novena
To Christ the Great Physician We know that there is one physician: Both flesh and spirit uncreated, yet born God in man True life in death From both Mary and From God Subject to suffering and then impassible Jesus Christ our Lord! We ask O Great Physician, for spiritual, physical, and emotional healing, especially my intention of ______. You of both flesh and spirit May we spend all of our days in your healing presence You the eternal Son born for us Grant us the healing benefits of your Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection You who are true God and true man Grant us your true life in the midst of death You, the true life in death Grant us to follow your example and that of your Blessed Mother You, from both Mary and from God May our suffering be for our growth; free us, we pray, from that which we cannot bear We ask You, O God the Word who became man to suffer We ask you to grant us this healing if it brings us closer to you, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Immaculate Mary
Immaculate Mary,your praises we sing. You reign now in Heaven with Jesus our King. Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! In Heaven the blessed your glory proclaim; On earth we your children invoke your sweet name. Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! We pray for our Mother, the Church upon earth, And bless, Holy Mary, the land of our birth. Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! We pray you, O Mother, may God's will be done We pray for His glory, may his Kingdom come. Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria! Lourdes Hymn

Prayer for Charity
O my Jesus, Thou who art very Love, enkindle in my heart that Divine Fire which consumes the Saints and transforms them into Thee. O Lord our God, we offer Thee our hearts united in the strongest and most sincere love of brotherhood; we pray that Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament may be the daily food of our souls and bodies; that Jesus may be established as the center of our affections, even as He was for Mary and Joseph. Finally, O Lord, may sin never disturb our union on earth; and may we be eternally united in heaven with Thee and Mary and Joseph and with all Thy Saints. Amen.

Prayer for Church Leaders

Lord Jesus Christ, watch over those who are leaders in your Church. Keep them faithful to their vocation and to the proclamation of your message. Teach them to recognize and interpret the signs of the times. Strengthen them with the gifts of the Spirit, and help them to serve their subjects, especially the poor and lowly. Give them a vivid sense of your presence in the world and a knowledge of how to show it to others. Amen.

Come Holy Ghost
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created; R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Prayer for Employment
You govern your creation, O God, and bring it to perfection by the work of our hands. Hear the prayers of your people who ask for work that will enhance their human signity and promote the upbuilding of your kingdom. Enable them to provide for those confided to their care either by family ties or by charity we owe to one another for the betterment of human life. We ask this blessing in the name of Jesus who laboured with his own hands while he lived on earth. Amen.

Prayer For Knowledge and Strength
Give me O Lord, I pray Thee firm faith, unwavering hope perfect charity. Pour into my heart the Spirit of wisdom and understanding the Spirit of counsel and spiritual strength the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness and the Spirit of Thy holy fear Light eternal, shine in my heart Power eternal, deliver me from evil Wisdom eternal, scatter the darkness of my ignorance Might eternal, pity me Grant that I may ever seek Thy face with all my heart and soul and strength; and, in thine infinite mercy, bring me at last to Thy holy presence where I shall behold Thy glory and possess Thy promised joys  - St. Alcuin of York (735-804)


Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to Your apostles and disciples. Grant that the same Spirit may perfect in our lives the work of Your grace and love. Grant us the Spirit of Fear Of The Lord that we may be filled with a loving reverence toward You. The Spirit of Piety that we may find peace and fulfillment in the service of God while serving others; The Spirit of Fortitude that we may bear our cross with You and, with courage, overcome the obstacles that interfere with our salvation; The Spirit of Knowledge that we may know You and know ourselves and grow in holiness; The Spirit of Understanding to enlighten our minds with the light of Your truth; The Spirit of Counsel that we may choose the surest way of doing Your will, seeking first the Kingdom; Grant us the Spirit of Wisdom that we may aspire to the things that last forever; Teach us to be Your faithful disciples and animate us in every way with Your Spirit. Amen. Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit


Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy; Act in me O Holy Spirit that my works, too, may be holy; Draw my heart O Holy Spirit that I love but what is holy; Strengthen me O Holy Spirit to defend that is holy; Guard me then O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy.
St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)

Trinity Sunday Prayer
Father,You sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three persons, You reveal yourself in the depths of our being, by proclaiming and living our faith in you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer for Guidance

Lord Jesus, may everything I do begin with You, continue with Your help, and be done under Your guidance. May my sharing in the Mass free me from my sins, and make me worthy of Your healing. May I grow in Your Love and Your service, and become a pleasing offering to You; and with You to Your Father. May the mystery I celebrate help me to reach eternal life with you.


Prayer in Time of Distress
I shall walk through dark valleys, I fear no harm for you are at my side. Your rod and staff shall give me courage, No evil shall befall me, No weakness in my stride. God wills not my foot to slip Or my guardian sleep, He guides me from all evil, The Lord is my guardian; The Lord the shade I keep, By day the sun cannot harm me Or the moon by night. For the Lord said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, Have faith in God and also in me. In my Father's house There are many dwelling places. If there were not, Would I have told you That I am going to prepare A place for you? And if I go And prepare a place for you, I will come back again And take you to myself, So that where I am You also may be." If the Lord is with us, Who can be against us

Prayer for Protection

St. Joseph: be always our protector. That your internal spirit of peace, silence, honest work, and prayer in the service of the Church give us life and happiness in union with your blessed Spouse, our Sweet and Immaculate Mother in the strong and mild love to Jesus, Glorious and Immortal King of the centuries and the people. Amen.


Prayer for Insight
May the Lord Jesus touch our eyes, as he did those of the blind. Then we shall begin to see in visible things those which are invisible. May he open our eyes to gaze, not on present realities, but on the blessings to come. May he open the eyes of our heart to contemplate God in Spirit, through Jesus Christ the Lord, to whom belong power and glory through all eternity. Amen.

Prayer for Priests
Risen Lord Jesus, you love us with all your priestly heart. Hear my heartfelt prayer for my brother priests. I pray for faithful and fervent priests, for unfaithful and tepid priests, for priests who labor home and abroad, for tempted priests, for lonely and desolate priests, for young priests, old priests, sick priests, dying priests, and for the souls of priests in purgatory. Merciful Jesus, remember that we are but weak and frail human beings. Give us a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love. I ask that, in our loneliness, you comfort us; in our sorrow, you strengthen us; in our frustrations, you show us that it is through suffering that the soul is purified. Eternal high priest, keep us close to your heart, and bless us abundantly, in time and in eternity. Amen.

Prayer for the Church
O God, the most gracious Maker and most merciful Redeemer of mankind, who, when man, by envy of the devil, was cast down from Eternal Life, did redeem him with the Blood of your only Son: Give life to your servants, whose death you in no wise desire; and as you did not leave them when they went astray, so do you receive them when they are brought back. Let the sorrowful sighings of your servants move your pity. Heal their wounds. Extend your saving hand to the prostrate, lest your Church should be despoiled of any portion of her body, lest your flock should suffer loss, lest those who were born again to the salutary waters should be possessed by the second death. Spare those who confess, that in this mortal life they may, by your help, so mourn over their sins, that in the day of dreadful Judgment they may escape the sentence of eternal damnation, and may know neither the terrors of the darkness nor the fury of the flame, and that, having returned from the path of error to the way of righteousness, they may be pierced with no more wounds, but may retain, in fullness and perpetually, both what your grace has vouchsafed and what your mercy has restored: Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, eternally. Amen.

Universal Prayer
Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith. I trust in you: strengthen my trust. I love you: let me love you more and more. I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.I worship you as my first beginning, I long for you as my last end, I praise you as my constant helper, and call on you as my loving protector. Guide me by your wisdom, correct me with your justice, comfort me with your mercy, protect me with your power. I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you; my words: to have you for their theme; my actions: to reflect my love for you; my sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory. I want to do what you ask of me: in the way you ask, for as long as you ask, because you ask it. Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy. Help me to repent of my past sins and to resist temptation in the future. Help me to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian. Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am: a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself and reach out towards others. Make me prudent in planning, courageous in taking risks. Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity. Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer, temperate in food and drink, diligent in my work, firm in my good intentions. Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault, my speech blameless, my life well-ordered. Put me on guard against my human weaknesses. Let me cherish your love for me, keep your law, and come at last to your salvation. Teach me to realize that this world is passing, that my true future is the happiness of heaven, that life on earth is short, and the life to come eternal. Help me to prepare for death with a proper fear of judgment, but a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death to the endless joy of heaven. Amen.

Prayer for the Sick
God our Father, your Son accepted our sufferings to teach us the virtue of patience in human illness. Hear the prayers we offer for our sick brother/sister. May all who suffer pain, illness, or disease realize that they have been chosen to be saints and know that they are joined to Christ in his suffering for the salvation of the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Father in heaven, grant N. comfort in his/her suffering. Give him/her courage when afraid, patience when afflicted, hope when dejected, and when alone assure him/her of the prayerful support of your holy people. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Faith
Lord, I believe: I wish to believe in Thee. Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved, and let it penetrate my thought, my way of judging Divine things and human things. Lord, let my faith be joyful and give peace and gladness to my spirit, and dispose it for prayer with God and conversation with men, so that the inner bliss of its fortunate possession may shine forth in sacred and secular conversation. Lord, let my faith be humble and not presume to be based on the experience of my thought and of my feeling; but let it surrender to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, and not have any better guarantee than in docility to Tradition and to the authority of the magisterium of the Holy Church. Amen.

Prayer for the Dying
Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray You, by the agony of Your most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Your Immaculate Mother, to wash in Your Most Precious Blood, the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. Amen.

Prayer for Help
Holy Mary, help those in need, give strength to the weak, comfort the sorrowful, pray for God's people, assist the clergy, intercede for religious. May all who seek your help experience your unfailing protection. Amen.

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