Give thanks for God's countless gifts with this traditional prayer. The Prayer O my God, I thank Thee for all the benefits which I have received from Thy bounty, especially for my creation, redemption, and preservation. I thank Thee for Baptism, for the Holy Eucharist, for Thy holy Mother Mary, for my Guardian Angel, and for all the means of salvation. Glory be to Thee forever. Amen. Sources: Traditional thanksgiving; classic manuals, public domain.

Unite the day's small sufferings to the Cross of Jesus. The Prayer O Jesus, I offer Thee all the crosses of this day: my weariness, my disappointments, my pains of body and mind. Unite them to Thy Passion, and make them meritorious for my salvation and for the souls in Purgatory. Amen. Sources: Traditional offering of crosses; classic devotionals, public domain.

In the moment of temptation, cry out quickly to Jesus and Mary. The Prayer Jesus, mercy! Mary, help! My Jesus, mercy; Mary, help. Sources: Traditional temptation aspirations; classic manuals, public domain.

Ask for purity of heart with this traditional short prayer. The Prayer Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, help me to be pure in mind, heart, and body. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Sources: Traditional purity aspirations; classic manuals, public domain.

Catholics have prayed these words for generations. Take a quiet moment, place yourself in God’s presence, and let this traditional prayer shape your intention today. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I h

Catholics have prayed these words for generations. Take a quiet moment, place yourself in God’s presence, and let this traditional prayer shape your intention today. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and c

Catholics have prayed these words for generations. Take a quiet moment, place yourself in God’s presence, and let this traditional prayer shape your intention today. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Bloo

In the communion of saints, the Church teaches us to pray with words tested by time. Make this prayer your own, and entrust your needs to God’s mercy. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I desire to receive Thee into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive Thee sacramentally, c

Handed down in classic Catholic prayer books, this devotion still speaks to the heart. Let its familiar lines draw you closer to Our Lord. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffe

This beloved traditional prayer belongs to the living memory of the Church. Pray it slowly, with faith, and offer it for those entrusted to your care. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured

Catholics have prayed these words for generations. Take a quiet moment, place yourself in God’s presence, and let this traditional prayer shape your intention today. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer 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 R

In the communion of saints, the Church teaches us to pray with words tested by time. Make this prayer your own, and entrust your needs to God’s mercy. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the

An Act of Contrition turns the heart back to God after sin. It is used in Confession and anytime we need sincere sorrow and a firm purpose of amendment. Pray it honestly: love of God, hatred of sin, and trust in grace to begin again. The Prayer 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 they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love

The Apostles’ Creed summarizes the faith handed down from the earliest Church. Catholics recite it at the start of the Rosary and in many morning and evening prayers. Let each article settle in the mind—creation, Incarnation, Cross, Resurrection, Church, and everlasting life. The Prayer 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Po

Catholics have prayed these words for generations. Take a quiet moment, place yourself in God's presence, and let this traditional prayer shape your intention today. Filed under Basic Catholic Prayers, it is presented in a traditional English form drawn from public-domain sources. The Prayer O my God, I wish to consecrate this day and all the days of my life to Thy honor and glory. Almighty and eternal God! I offer Thee all my prayers, works, and sufferings in union with the

The Glory Be praises the Holy Trinity as it was, is, and ever shall be. It closes decades of the Rosary and many shorter prayers. Say it with a lifted heart whenever you want to give God simple, direct praise. The Prayer Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Sources: Traditional form; cf. Baltimore Manual of Prayers (1889).

The Hail Mary joins the angel’s greeting with the Church’s plea for Mary’s intercession. It is the heartbeat of the Rosary and a companion for every need. Ask her help now and at the hour of death—the prayer itself teaches us to do so. The Prayer 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. Sources: Traditional

The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer Jesus Himself taught. Every petition places us under the Father’s name, kingdom, will, and daily care. Pray it slowly; these few lines contain the whole of Christian hope. The Prayer 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 de

The Sign of the Cross is the simplest Catholic prayer and a profession of the Trinity. We begin and end nearly every devotion with it. Trace the Cross carefully and speak the words with faith—it is both blessing and creed in miniature. The Prayer In the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Sources: Traditional form; cf. Baltimore Manual of Prayers (1889).