Introduction: The Foundation of Catholic Life
Prayer is the lifeblood of our faith—an open channel of grace and communion with God, the Blessed Mother, the saints, and the angels. This resource compiles 39 of the most foundational and frequently recited Catholic prayers, from the daily acts that bookend your morning and evening to the powerful liturgical and devotional prayers that define Catholic worship. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic seeking renewed devotion or a convert learning the basics, mastering these common prayers provides a beautiful foundation for your prayer life.
39 of the Most Common Catholic Prayers
I. Foundational & Essential Prayers
These prayers are fundamental to daily Catholic life and liturgy.
1. The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Our Father (The Lord’s 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 deliver us from evil. Amen.
3. The Hail Mary
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.
Want to Go Deeper? Learn about the significance and meaning of the Hail Mary
4. The Glory Be (Doxology)
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.
5. The Apostles’ 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; 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 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.
6. Act of Contrition (Traditional)
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. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
Want to Go Deeper? Learn all about the Act of Contrition.
7. Prayer to the Holy Spirit (Come Holy Spirit)
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
8. Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
9. Grace After Meals
We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all thy benefits, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
II. Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love
These prayers articulate the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity (Love).
10. Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your 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 you have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
11. Act of Hope
O my God, relying on your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
12. Act of Love (Charity)
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
III. Marian Prayers (To the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Prayers of devotion asking for the powerful intercession of Mary, the Mother of God.
13. 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 vale 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.
Want to Go Deeper? Learn all about the Hail Holy Queen.
14. The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary…)
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, as we have known the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, by the message of an Angel, so by His Passion and Cross, we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
15. The Memorare
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 by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee 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.
16. The Regina Caeli
(Said instead of the Angelus during the Easter season)
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. For He whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia. Hath risen, as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
17. Fatima Prayer (Decade 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. Amen.
18. Sub Tuum Praesidium
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
IV. Daily & Occasional Prayers
Prayers used for specific times or intentions throughout the day.
19. Morning Offering
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, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
20. Prayer to My Guardian Angel
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Go Deeper: Learn more about the Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
21. Eternal Rest (Prayer for the Dead)
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
22. Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
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. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me. And bid me come to thee, that with thy saints I may praise thee forever and ever. Amen.
23. Prayer Before a Crucifix
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 Charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment, while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Thy five wounds, pondering over them within me, and calling to mind the words which David the prophet said of Thee, my Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones.”
V. Prayers to Jesus Christ
Devotions focused directly on the Person and Mercy of Christ.
24. Divine Praises
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 Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints. Amen.
Go Deeper: Learn more about the Divine Praises
25. The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
26. Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
27. Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with a lively sorrow for my sins, I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
28. Prayer to the Divine Mercy (3 O’Clock Prayer)
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. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You. Amen.
VI. Intercessory & Protection Prayers
Prayers seeking help from Saints, Angels, and for spiritual protection.
29. Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection 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, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Want to Go Deeper? Learn about the Chaplet of St. Michael.
30. Prayer Attributed to St. Francis (Make Me an Instrument)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
31. Prayer to St. Joseph
O St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ and true spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us and for the agonizing and for the poor souls in purgatory.
32. St. Teresa of Ávila’s Prayer
Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. Amen.
33. Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit Blest)
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up thy rest; come with thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which thou hast made, to fill the hearts which thou hast made.
VII. Creeds & Liturgical Prayers
Prayers commonly recited during the Holy Mass and other public services.
34. The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
35. The Confiteor (I Confess)
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
36. Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
37. Magnificat (Canticle of Mary)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
38. O Salutaris Hostia (Often prayed in Latin during Adoration)
O Salutaris Hostia. Quae caeli pandis ostium. Bella premunt hostilia; Da robur, fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino. Sit sempiterna gloria: Qui vitam sine termino, Nobis donet in patria. Amen.
39. Prayer of Abandonment (Charles de Foucauld)
Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for everything, I accept everything. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures—I ask no more than this. My God, I abandon my soul to you; I offer it to you with all the love that my heart is capable of, for I desire to give myself to you, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints?
Catholics do not give Mary or the Saints adoration, which is due to God alone; rather, we honor them and ask for their powerful intercession. Just as you might ask a friend or family member to pray for you, we ask the Saints—who are already in heaven and close to God—to join their prayers with ours. Mary, as the Mother of God, is considered the greatest intercessor of all.
Q2: What is the most common prayer used daily?
The most common daily prayer for nearly all Catholics is the Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer) and the Hail Mary, often recited multiple times as part of the Rosary or other devotions. The Sign of the Cross is also used countless times a day to begin and end prayers and activities.
Q3: What is the difference between the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed?
Both Creeds summarize the core dogmas of Christian belief. The Apostles’ Creed is older, shorter, and primarily used in the Rosary and for baptismal promises. The Nicene Creed is longer, more detailed (especially concerning the nature of Christ and the Holy Spirit), and is recited during the Holy Mass on Sundays and solemnities.
Q4: When should I pray the Act of Contrition?
The Act of Contrition is most traditionally prayed during the Sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation) after the priest gives a penance. However, it is an excellent prayer to recite daily or whenever you recognize you have sinned, as an Act of Contrition can remit venial sins and even mortal sins if you have a perfect contrition (sorrow motivated by love of God) and the sincere intention of going to confession as soon as possible.
Conclusion: Making Prayer a Habit
The common Catholic prayers listed above are the most foundational prayers of the catholic life. Though many more could be listed, these are an excellent starting point for beloved prayers to memorize and pray often. Do not worry about reciting them perfectly, but rather strive to pray them sincerely.
To pray well, we should always strive for greater attention and devotion. Beyond this, consistency is key. Choose one prayer from this list today and commit to making it a permanent part of your spiritual life.
Additional Resources for the Life of Prayer
To continue deepening your faith and finding strength in times of suffering, explore these related guides and resources from CovenantCatholic.org:
- Prayers and Devotions Hub: Learn from our repository of resources on prayer and Catholic devotions.
- Getting Started with Mental Prayer: Learn how to communicate with God silently and consistently—a powerful aid in enduring sickness and anxiety.
- 25 Catholic Prayers for Protection: An essential collection for safeguarding against spiritual and temporal dangers that can accompany illness.
- Rosary Resources: Guides and resources for making the Holy Rosary a part of your life.
- Lectio Divina: Sacred Scripture and Mental Prayer: Discover how to use the Bible prayerfully to find comfort, hope, and direction from God’s Word.
- Novenas Archive: Engage in focused, nine-day prayer with the saints known for healing and intercession, such as St. Jude and St. Peregrine.
