Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Key:
checkmarks indicate prayers which Catholics should memorize and teach their children to know by heart. To
download these "must-know" prayers (minus the Paschal Greeting and Short Ejaculations), in both English
and Latin, in a 5-page Microsoft Word document, click here.
Prayers marked with a black dot are traditionally partially indulgenced prayers under the usual conditions.
Prayers marked with a black circle are traditionally partially indulgenced prayers that offer plenary
indulgences at certain times, under certain conditions (in addition to the usual conditions)
Some of the other, unmarked prayers may or may not be or have been indulgenced; I will mark them if called for
as I learn their status. For an interesting work that shows how St. Dominic used posture in prayer, see "The Nine
Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic."
Note that Catholic prayer begins and ends with the Sign of the Cross. Ideally, prayer should be offered facing
East when possible.
The Our Father (The Lord's Prayer) Pater Noster (Oratio Dominica)
I Confess Confiteor
Short Ejaculations
Christian Greetings
The Our Father (The Lord's Prayer) / Pater Noster (Oratio Dominica)
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.
Note:
See Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. The Catholic version prayed in the traditional liturgy does not include the concluding Doxology said by
Protestants and which is not found in Scripture: "For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, amen." This doxology, though,
or at least variations of it, are found as early as the first century, for example, in the Didache. The doxology is used by priests in the new rite of the
Mass.
Also, some Catholics strike their breast at the words "forgive us our trespasses" (striking the breast is the classic sign of repentance, made
formally during the Confiteor, the Nobis Quoque Peccatoribus, the Agnus Dei, and the Domine, Non Sum Dignus at the Mass, and informally any
time to express regret.)
The English line "lead us not into temptation" is actually a bad translation, as God does not and would not actively "lead us" into temptation, a
notion that would make Him the Author of evil. Though the Pater has been prayed this way in English for hundreds of years and there is no need
to change it now, one must keep in mind that a more literal translation would be "allow us not to succumb to temptation." James 1:13-14: "Let no
man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils: and He tempteth no man. But every man is tempted
by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured."
Note:
When saying this prayer, one makes the physical Sign of the Cross by touching forehead, breast, left shoulder, then right shoulder. When
devoutly prayed while making the Sign, a partial indulgence is gained under the usual conditions.
Note:
The Apostles' Creed is said during Baptisms, during the Rosary (optionally), at the Divine Office, etc.
Regarding the line, "He descended into Hell": "Hell" refers to "Sheol" (Hebrew) or "Hades" (Greek) -- the only "realm of the dead" before Heaven
was opened. Sheol consists of different areas, or levels:
Infernus: the place of torment for the unrighteous damned and the demons. This is the place one most often thinks of when one hears
the word "Hell.";
Purgatory: where the saved souls go to be purged of the temporal effects of their sins;
the Limbo of the Infants (Limbus Infantium): a possible place of perfect, natural subjective happiness to which those who died before
Baptism (and so are denied the Beatific Vision) but who have not committed personal sins (so don't warrant punishment) might go;
the Limbo of the Patriarchs (Limbus Patrum): where the righteous who lived before Jesus came to earth went. It is this part of "Hell" that
Christ descended into. It no longer exists.
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God.
Begotten, not made: consubstantial with the Father; by Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from
Heaven: [kneel] and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. [stand] He was crucified also for us, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And He ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the
right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead: of Whose kindgom there shall be no end.
And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life: Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is
adored and glorified: Who spoke through the Prophets.
And in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and
the life of the world to come. Amen
Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum
verum de Deo vero, genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram
salutem descendit de caelis. [kneel] Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. [stand] Crucifixus etiam pro nobis
sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in caelum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum
venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos, cuius regni non erit finis.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui
locutus est per prophetas.
Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem
mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.
Note:
The Nicene Creed, formulated at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, is said during the Mass.
But the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have one divinity, equal glory, and coeternal majesty. What the Father is, the Son is, and the Holy
Spirit is.
The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated. The Father is boundless, the Son is boundless, and the Holy
Spirit is boundless. The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal.
Nevertheless, there are not three eternal beings, but one eternal being. So there are not three uncreated beings, nor three boundless beings, but
one uncreated being and one boundless being. Likewise, the Father is omnipotent, the Son is omnipotent, the Holy Spirit is omnipotent.
Yet there are not three omnipotent beings, but one omnipotent being. Thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.
However, there are not three gods, but one God. The Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord. However, there are not three
lords, but one Lord. For as we are obliged by Christian truth to acknowledge every Person singly to be God and Lord, so too are we forbidden by
the Catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords.
The Father was not made, nor created, nor generated by anyone. The Son is not made, nor created, but begotten by the Father alone. The Holy
Spirit is not made, nor created, nor generated, but proceeds from the Father and the Son. There is, then, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son,
not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits. In this Trinity, there is nothing before or after, nothing greater or less. The entire three
Persons are coeternal and coequal with one another. So that in all things, as is has been said above, the Unity is to be worshiped in Trinity and
the Trinity in Unity.
He, therefore, who wishes to be saved, must believe thus about the Trinity. It is also necessary for eternal salvation that he believes steadfastly in
the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both
God and man. As God, He was begotten of the substance of the Father before time; as man, He was born in time of the substance of His Mother.
He is perfect God; and He is perfect man, with a rational soul and human flesh. He is equal to the Father in His divinity, but inferior to the Father
in His humanity. Although He is God and man, He is not two, but one Christ. And He is one, not because His divinity was changed into flesh, but
because His humanity was assumed unto God. He is one, not by a mingling of substances, but by unity of person. As a rational soul and flesh are
one man: so God and man are one Christ. He died for our salvation, descended into Hell, and rose from the dead on the third day. He ascended
into Heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. At His coming, all men
are to arise with their own bodies; and they are to give an account of their own deeds. Those who have done good deeds will go into eternal life;
those who have done evil will go into the everlasting fire.
This is the Catholic faith. Everyone must believe it, firmly and steadfastly; otherwise He cannot be saved. Amen.
Sed Patris, et Fili, et Spiritus Sancti una est divinitas, aequalis gloria, coaeterna maiestas. Qualis Pater, talis Filius, talis Spiritus Sanctus.
Increatus Pater, increatus Filius, increatus Spiritus Sanctus. Immensus Pater, immensus Filius, immensus Spiritus Sanctus. Aeternus Pater,
aeternus Filius, aeternus Spiritus Sanctus.
Et tamen non tres aeterni, sed unus aeternus.Sicut non tres increati, nec tres immensi, sed unus increatus, et unus immensus. Similiter
omnipotens Pater, omnipotens Filius, omnipotens Spiritus Sanctus.
Et tamen non tres omnipotentes, sed unus omnipotens. Ita Deus Pater, Deus Filius, Deus Spiritus Sanctus.
Et tamen non tres dii, sed unus est Deus. Ita Dominus Pater, Dominus Filius, Dominus Spiritus Sanctus. Et tamen non tres Domini, sed unus est
Dominus. Quia, sicut singillatim unamquamque personam Deum ac Dominum confiteri christiana veritate compellimur: ita tres Deos aut Dominos
dicere catholica religione prohibemur.
Pater a nullo est factus: nec creatus, nec genitus. Filius a Patre solo est: non factus, nec creatus, sed genitus. Spiritus Sanctus a Patre et Filio:
non factus, nec creatus, nec genitus, sed procedens. Unus ergo Pater, non tres Patres: unus Filius, non tres Filii: unus Spiritus Sanctus, non tres
Spiritus Sancti. Et in hac Trinitate nihil prius aut posterius, nihil maius aut minus: sed totae tres personae coaeternae sibi sunt et coaequales. Ita
ut per omnia, sicut iam supra dictum est, et unitas in Trinitate, et Trinitas in unitate veneranda sit.
Qui vult ergo salvus esse, ita de Trinitate sentiat. Sed necessarium est ad aeternam salutem, ut incarnationem quoque Domini nostri Iesu Christi
fideliter credat. Est ergo fides recta ut credamus et confiteamur, quia Dominus noster Iesus Christus, Dei Filius, Deus et homo est. Deus est ex
substantia Patris ante saecula genitus: et homo est ex substantia matris in saeculo natus. Perfectus Deus, perfectus homo: ex anima rationali et
humana carne subsistens. Aequalis Patri secundum divinitatem: minor Patre secundum humanitatem. Qui licet Deus sit et homo, non duo tamen,
sed unus est Christus. Unus autem non conversione divinitatis in carnem, sed assumptione humanitatis in Deum. Unus omnino, non confusione
substantiae, sed unitate personae. Nam sicut anima rationalis et caro unus est homo: ita Deus et homo unus est Christus. Qui passus est pro
salute nostra: descendit ad inferos: tertia die resurrexit a mortuis. Ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis: inde venturus
est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Ad cuius adventum omnes homines resurgere habent cum corporibus suis: et reddituri sunt de factis propriis
rationem. Et qui bona egerunt, ibunt in vitam aeternam: qui vero mala, in ignem aeternum.
Haec est fides catholica, quam nisi quisque fideliter firmiterque crediderit, salvus esse non poterit. Amen.
The Te Deum is also called the "Ambrosian Hymn" and its authorship has been attributed by various writers to St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St.
Hilarius, St. Abundius, St. Sisebutus, and St. Nicetus. An 8th century legend attributes it to both St. Ambrose and St. Augustine: they, according
to the story, both sang it spontaneously on the night the latter was baptized (A.D. 387).
If the Te Deum is recited on the last day of the year, one may, under proper conditions, receive a plenary indulgence.
Note:
This prayer is a partially indulgenced prayer. However, if one recites it before an image of Christ crucified, and under the usual conditions, on any
of the Fridays in Lent (including Passiontide), one may receive a plenary indulgence.
V. Thou hast given them bread from heaven [Alleluia] V. Panem de coelo praestitisti eis. [Alleluia]
Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae
memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis
venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis
be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
reignest forever and ever.
R. Amen
R. Amen
Note:
This prayer and hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas is a partially indulgenced prayer. When recited on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter)
or on the Feast of Corpus Christi, one may receive a plenary indulgence.
Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all
the Saints to pray to the Lord our God for me. Amen.
Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Ioannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et
Paulum, et omnes Sanctos, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum. Amen.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the
manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent,
for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints. We wish also to make
amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of
sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Thy Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the
Church which Thou hast founded.
Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the
satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the Cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our Altars; we offer it in union with
the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense,
as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past.
Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of
charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of
this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that
we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Attamen, memores tantae nos quoque indignitatis non expertes aliquando fuisse, indeque vehementissimo dolore commoti, tuam in primis
misericordiam nobis imploramus, paratis, voluntaria expiatione compensare flagitia non modo quae ipsi patravimus, sed etiam illorum, qui, longe
a salutis via aberrantes, vel te pastorem ducemque sectari detrectant, in sua infidelitate obstinati, vel baptismatis promissa conculcantes,
suavissimum tuae legis iugum excusserunt.
Quae deploranda crimina, cum universa expiare contendimus, tum nobis singula resarcienda proponimus: vitae cultusque immodestiam atque
turpitudines, tot corruptelae pedicas innocentium animis instructas, dies festos violatos, exsecranda in te tuosque Sanctos iactata maledicta atque
in tuum Vicarium ordinemque sacerdotalem convicia irrogata, ipsum denique amoris divini Sacramentum, vel neglectum vel horrendis sacrilegiis
profanatum, publica postremo nationum delicta, quae Ecclesiae a te institutae iuribus magisterioque reluctantur.
Quae utinam crimina sanguine ipsi nostro eluere possemus! Interea ad violatum divinum honorem resarciendum, quam Tu olim Patri in Cruce
satisfactionem obtulisti quamque quotidie in Altaribus renovare pergis, hanc eamdem nos tibi praestamus, cum Virginis Matris, omnium
Sanctorum, piorum quoque fidelium expiationibus coniunctam, ex animo spondentes, cum praeterita nostra aliorumque peccata ac tanti amoris
incuriam firma fide, candidis vitae moribus, perfecta legis evangelicae, caritatis potissimum, observantia, quantum in nobis erit, gratia tua favente,
nos esse compensaturos, tum iniurias tibi inferendas pro viribus prohibituros, et quam plurimos potuerimus ad tui sequelam convocaturos.
Excipias, quaesumus, benignissime Iesu, beata Virgine Maria Reparatrice intercedente, voluntarium huius expiationis obsequium nosque in
officio tuique servito fidissimos ad mortem usque velis, magno illo perseverantiae munere, continere, ut ad illam tandem patriam perveniamus
omnes, ubi Tu cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Note:
A partial indulgence is granted to those who recite this prayer. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is publicly recited on the feast of the Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus. This prayer was prescribed to be recited on this feast by Pope Pius XI.
Note:
This prayer is often added to the Rosary, right after each "Glory Be" prayer. This practice springs from the instructions of Mary given to the young
children at Fatima.
Note:
This prayer is taught to little children to pray at bedtime.
Note:
This is one of the oldest known Marian prayers and was found (in A.D. 1917) on a Christian Egyptian papyrus dating to the 3rd c. This prayer has
been prayed for millennia as a concluding prayer in Compline.
Note:
A beautiful story about Gabriel's greeting to Mary, on which the Hail Mary is based, from "The Golden Legend," compiled by Jacobus de
Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, 1275: "Of the salutation that the angel brought to the glorious Virgin, we read an example of a noble knight which
for to amend his life gave and rendered himself into an abbey of Citeaux, and, forasmuch as he was no clerk, there was assigned to him a master
for to teach him, and to be with the brethren clerks, but he could nothing learn in long time that he was there save these two words: Ave Maria,
which words he had so sore imprinted in his heart that alway he had them in his mouth wheresomever he was. At last he died and was buried in
the churchyard of the brethren. It happed after, that upon the burials grew a right fair fleur-de-lis, and in every flower was written in letters of gold:
Ave Maria, of which miracle all the brethren were amarvelled, and they did open the sepulchre, and found that the root of this fleur-de-lis came
out of the mouth of the said knight, and anon they understood that our Lord would have him honoured for the great devotion that he had to say
these words. Ave Maria."
Hail, Holy Queen / Salve Regina
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. Amen.
Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as He said,
All alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
V Let us pray : O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the
whole world: grant we beg Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may
lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R Amen.
Latin Version: Regina Coeli
Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora
All pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia,
R Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.
V Oremus : Deus qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus
es: praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae.
Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.
R Amen.
Note:
The Memorare is believed to have been written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (A.D. 1090-1154) of the Cistercian Order.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me, and holy is His Name. And
His Mercy is from generation unto generations upon them that fear Him.
He hath shewed might in His arm, He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath
exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel, His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our Fathers, Abraham and His seed forever.
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes, quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum Nomen eius, et misericordia eius in
progenies et progenies timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordi sui; deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles; esurientes implevit bonis et
divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae, sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
Note:
This canticle consists of the words of Simeon, recorded in Luke 2, when Jesus was presented at the Temple. They've been a part of Compline
since the 4th century.
To thee, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulations, and while imploring the aid of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy
patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by the fatherly affection with which thou didst
embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and to help
us in our necessities, by thy powerful intercession.
Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving Father, all taint of
error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most power protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst
once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all
adversity.
Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage that, imitating thy example and sported by thy aid, we may be enabled to live a good life, die
a holy death, and secure everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen.
Per eam, quaesumus quae te cum immaculata Virgine Dei Genetrice coniunxit, caritatem, perque paternum, quo Puerum Iesum amplexus es,
amorem, supplices deprecamur, ut ad hereditatem, quam Iesus Christus acquisivit Sanguine suo, benignus respicias, ac necessitatibus nostris
tua virtute et ope succurras.
Tuere, o Custos providentissime divinae Familiae, Iesu Christi sobolem electam; prohibe a nobis, amantissime Pater, omnem errorum ac
corruptelarum luem; propitius nobis, sospitator noster fortissime, in hoc cum potestate tenebrarum certamine e caelo adesto; et sicut olim Puerum
Iesum e summo eripuisti vitae discrimine, ita nunc Ecclesiam sanctam Dei ab hostilibus insidiis atque ab omni adversitate defende: nosque
singulos perpetuo tege patrocinio, ut ad tui exemplar et ope tua suffulti, sancte vivere, pie emori, sempiternamque in caelis beatitudinem assequi
possimus. Amen.
Note:
This prayer was written by Leo XIII and attached to his encyclical, Quamquam Pluries. It is to be included at the end of the Rosary, especially
during the month of October. Pope John Paul II also recommended this prayer in his 1989 Apostolic Exhortation, Redemptoris Custos.
Eternal rest grant unto him/her (them), O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them). May he/she (they) rest in peace. Amen.
Note:
This short prayer is a simple invocation for the dead, often prayed when passing cemeteries, and on All Souls Day (during the period of eight
days from All Souls Day, Catholics who visit a cemetery and pray for the dead may gain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, on
each day of the Octave, applicable only to the dead). This prayer is also inserted after each decade of the Rosary (replacing the Fatima Prayer)
during the month of November, which is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. It is used in the Rosary, too, during the Vigil of a Catholic
funeral.
St. Anthony of Padua had a beloved Psalter that was lost and that he begged God to be returned to him as it contained notes he'd written to help
him instruct his students. In response to his prayers for the return of the book, a novice who'd left the Franciscan Order returned, bringing the
Psalter (now kept at the Franciscan Friary in Bologna, Italy) with him and confessing that he'd stolen it and asking to be allowed to return to the
religious life (this was granted). Thereafter, St. Anthony became the Patron Saint called on to pray with you to find lost objects. The prayers below
(there are many variations) are often heard, They're a little silly, but not disrespectful. I also include a more serious prayer:
3. Dear St. Anthony, thou art the patron of the poor and the helper of all who seek lost articles. Help me to find the object I have lost so that I will
be able to make better use of the time that I will gain for God's greater honor and glory. Grant thy gracious aid to all people who seek what they
have lost, especially those who seek to regain God's grace. Amen.
Short Ejaculations
These short "mini-prayers," also called "aspirations" or "invocations," are to be said throughout the day to keep our minds focused on Heavenly
things and to consecrate our efforts. It is good to adopt one of these as your own so that in times of stress, words that can focus your attention
back to the holy come easily. These are all indulgenced prayers.
Domine Iesu Christe, Filius Dei, miserere me peccatorem! (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!) Variations:
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner!"; "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!"; "O God, be merciful to me
a sinner!". This prayer is known as the "Jesus Prayer." It is the cry of the publican of Luke 18:13.
Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum! (Blessed be the Name of the Lord!) This prayer is a reparation for blasphemy. If one hears someone take
the Name of the Lord in vain, it is good to say this prayer. The response to this prayer is "ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum!" ("from this
time forth for evermore!") or "per ómnia saecula saeculórum" ("unto ages of ages").
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee; because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. (Roman Breviary)
O Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for Thee.
Grant that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin; give me strength against thine enemies. (Roman Breviary)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. (Roman Missal)
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I
sleep and rest in peace with you. (Roman Ritual)
My Mother, my Hope.
May the Virgin Mary together with her loving Child bless us. (Roman Breviary)
All you holy men and women of God, intercede for us. (Roman Ritual)
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. (Roman Ritual)
Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. (Luke. 23:46; Psalm 30:6)
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us. (Roman Ritual)
Holy Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for us. (Roman Breviary)
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16)
Blessed be God!
All for thee, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine! (Roman Ritual)
My Jesus, mercy!
Thanks be to God! (Deo gratias!)
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Hail Mary! (Ave Maria!)
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy kingdom come!
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us!
From all sin deliver me, O Lord!
As the Lord wills!
Thy will be done! (Fiat voluntas tua!)
Version II:
"Christ is risen!"
Greeting:
Response: "He is risen indeed!" or "Risen just as He said!" or "Thanks be to God!"
Latin:
"Christus resurrexit!"
Greeting:
Response: "Vere resurrexit!" or "Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia!"or "Deo gratias!"
Note:
Since very ancient times, Christians greet each other during the Easter Octave (the 8 days of Easter) with "Christ is risen indeed!" The one
greeted replies with "And hath appeared unto Simon!" The Greek greeting is "Christos anesti!" to which comes the response, "Alithos anesti!"