BASIC CATHOLIC PRAYERS
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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 the life everlasting. Amen.
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.
Hail Mary
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.
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.
An 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.
An Act of Hope
O my God, trusting in Your promises and because You are faithful, powerful and merciful, I hope, through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final perseverance and the blessed glory of heaven.
An Act of Love
O my God, because You are infinite goodness and worthy of infinite love, I love You with my whole heart above all things, and for love of You I love my neighbor as myself. I forgive all who have offended me and ask pardon of all whom I have offended.
An 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 they offend Thee, my God, Who are 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.
Morning Offering
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of the Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians, and the intentions of our Holy Father, the Pope. Amen.
Prayer in the Morning
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to His people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of His servant David.
Through His holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for You will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:68-79)
Prayer in the Evening
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,
he 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 for ever. (Luke 1:46-55)
O eternal God and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this hour. Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word, deed or thought. Purify me, O Lord, from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant that I may rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout my entire lifetime, and that I be victorious over every spiritual and physical enemy. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts and from evil desires, for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
Prayer at Night
O my God, I thank You for having preserved me today and for having given me so many blessings and graces. I renew my dedication to You and ask Your pardon for all my sins.
(review the day quietly then pray The Canticle of Simeon which follows)
Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep,
that awake we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in His peace (alleluia).
Lord, now let Your servant go in peace;
according to Your word:
for my eyes have seen Your salvation
which You have prepared in the presence of all
peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to Your people Israel. (Luke 2:29–32)
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.
Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep,
that awake we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in His peace (alleluia).
The 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 Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
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.
Thanksgiving After Meals
We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy gifts, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
To be prayed 7 to 15 July
First Day (7 July)
O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendour of heaven, holy
and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our mother! (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Second Day (8 July)
Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy
Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness. (pause and mention petitions).
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Third Day (9 July)
O Queen of Heaven, you gave us the Scapular as an outward sign by which we
might be known as your faithful children. may we always wear it with honor
by avoiding sin and imitating your virtues. Help us to be faithful to this
desire of ours. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fourth Day (10 July)
When you gave us, Gracious Lady, the Scapular as our Habit, you called us
to be not only servants, but also your own children. We ask you to gain for us from your Son the grace to live as you children in joy, peace and love. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fifth Day (11 July)
O Mother of Fair Love, through your goodness, as your children, we are
called to live in the spirit of Carmel. Help us to live in charity with one another, prayerful as Elijah of old, and mindful of our call to minister to God’s people. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Sixth Day (12 July)
With loving provident care, O Mother Most Amiable, you covered us with your Scapular as a shield of defence against the Evil One. Through your
assistance, may we bravely struggle against the powers of evil, always open to your Son Jesus Christ. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Seventh Day (13 July)
O Mary, Help of Christians, you assured us that wearing your Scapular
worthily would keep us safe from harm. Protect us in both body and soul
with your continual aid. may all that we do be pleasing to your Son and to
you. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Eighth Day (14 July)
You give us hope, O Mother of Mercy, that through your Scapular promise we
might quickly pass through the fires of purgatory to the Kingdom of your
Son. Be our comfort and our hope. Grant that our hope may not be in vain
but that, ever faithful to your Son and to you, we may speedily enjoy after death the blessed company of Jesus and the saints. (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Ninth Day (15 July)
O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, when asked by a saint to grant
privileges to the family of Carmel, you gave assurance of your Motherly
love and help to those faithful to you and to your Son. Behold us, your
children. We glory in wearing your holy ha bit, which makes us members of
your family of Carmel, through which we shall have your powerful protection in life, at death and even after death. Look down with love, O Gate of Heaven, on all those now in their last agony! Look down graciously, O Virgin, Flower of Carmel, on all those in need of help! Look down mercifully, O Mother of our Savior, on all those who do not know that they are numbered among your children. Look down tenderly, O Queen of All Saints, on the poor souls! (pause and mention petitions)
Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Prayer of Saint Simon Stock on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel
O, Beautiful Flower of Carmel,
most fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, holy and singular, Who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity. O, Star of the Sea,
help and protect me. Show me that Thou art my Mother.
O, Mary, conceived without sin: – Pray for us who have recourse to Thee.
Mother and Ornament of Carmel: – Pray for us.
Virgin, Flower of Carmel: – Pray for us.
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular: – Pray for us.
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular: – Pray for us.
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary: – Pray for us.
St. Joseph, our Patron: – Pray for us.
O, Sweet Heart of Mary: – Be our Salvation.
Prayer over the Scapular
Priest – Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
Res- And grant us Thy salvation.
P – Lord, hear my prayer.
R – And let my cry come unto Thee.
P – The Lord be with you.
R – And with your Spirit.
P – Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of humanity, sanctify + by Thy power these scapulars, which for love of Thee and for love of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, thy servants will wear devoutly, so that through the intercession of the same Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and protected against the evil spirit, they persevere until death in Thy grace. Thou who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
THE PRIEST SPRINKLES WITH HOLY WATER THE SCAPULAR AND THE PERSON(S) BEING ENROLLED. HE THEN INVESTS HIM (THEM), SAYING:
P – Receive this blessed scapular and beseech the Blessed Virgin that through Her merits, you may wear it without stain. May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.
Prayer to St Joseph
Day 1 Prayer to St Joseph
Joseph, our Consolation in Suffering
Brave Joseph, one with us in our human condition,
with Mary and Jesus you were forced to become refugees,
experiencing mistrust, hunger, and hostility.
You did not retaliate; you chose the way of mercy.
Your restraint broke the circle of violence.
Because of your uprightness, God’s hope in humanity continues.
Gladness is yours, for the Kingdom of God is your inheritance.
Sustain us in cultivating inner peace, joy, and serenity.
Make our hands benevolent in times of war, famine and exile.
Keep us from developing a victim’s mentality,
and turn our pain into a source of growth.
In your wisdom, lead us to close all doors to bitterness,
so that, under God’s watch, we may know God’s joy.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
Day 2 Prayer
Joseph, Guardian of the Pure in Heart
Gentle Joseph, God is captivated by the quality of your soul.
Your entire being is focused on doing his will.
With Mary and Jesus, you answer the Holy Spirit’s call.
to lay new foundations for a better world.
With one heart, we join you in saying: “Here we are, Lord,
may your will be done!
May your kingdom come nearer to us!”
Keep the hope of a new world alive in our mind.
Inspire us to speak sensitively to awaken love in hearts.
May we draw the energy for our actions
from the source of all love,
so that our faces may radiate
the freedom of the children of God.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
Day 3 Prayer
Joseph, Model of Workers
Good Saint Joseph, when God wanted a family for his Son,
he looked among workers, and chose you along with Mary,
demonstrating God’s esteem for human work.
You put your heart into your work,
and you taught Jesus a livelihood.
Your vocation, along with that of others,
found new meaning with God’s inspiration.
Sustain in us the hope of finding jobs.
when we are confronted
with the desolation of unemployment.
Counsel business leaders.
to create an equitable division of labour
that is respectful of individual needs.
and promotes human growth and happiness.
Help us to perform our work readily,
conscientiously, fairly, and honestly.
Prepare our hearts to recognize your son.
in our colleagues at work. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
DAY 4
Joseph, Hope of the Sick
Benevolent Joseph, the Son of God was willing.
to place his life in your hands.
With Mary, you cared for Him who is the force of life.
May your compassion enfold our fragility,
bringing us the comfort of the divine presence.
We join with you in prayer, crying out:
“Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, speak a word of healing!”
Make us sensitive to the illness of those close to us,
especially the invisible torment of mental illness.
Support our efforts and grant us perseverance.
in the fight against all disease.
Help us to find meaning in God’s great project for humanity,
beyond the fog created by sickness and suffering
that clouds our inner vision.
The love of God be with us,
since our hope lies with Him! Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
Day 5
Joseph, Protector of the Church
Caring Joseph, collaborator in God’s project for humanity,
your tenderness enfolds the newborn Church.
as you enfolded your newborn son.
Just as Mary and Jesus recognize in you the protection of the Father,
so too does the community of faith place itself under your protection.
Strengthen us with the spirit that imbued the Nazarene home.
Guide our progress on the passage toward the kingdom.
Accompany us in carrying out our mission.
Help us to be lights in the world,
so that the family of God
may spring forth from humanity transfigured in Christ.
Grant us the patience
to imitate God’s preference for the poor and weak.
Guide us in our pastoral activities.
that our actions may be modelled on the Good News.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
Day 6
Joseph, Mainstay of Families
Attentive Joseph, in Mary and you,
the Word finds a nurturing environment.
thus, you form a family to receive God’s Son.
In your amiable life together,
you experience Love daily.
The unity of your hearts transforms life’s harsh lessons.
into growing wisdom and grace.
Open ourselves to the Word that lives within us,
that our actions may bear witness
to our own connection to the family of God.
Sustain us in our emotional commitments,
where giving and forgiving shape our identities.
Grant us your gentleness in the things we do each day!
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
Day 7
Joseph, Patron Saint of the Dying
Faithful Joseph, in fulfilment of the Lord’s promise,
you peacefully leave this world in Jesus’ and Mary’s arms.
Your faith transforms death into the sowing of life.
Your heart overflows in the presence of the Lord:
hands outstretched to God; your night is filled with prayer.
Surrounded by the living,
you embark upon the great march to the Promised Land.
Open our eyes that we may glimpse the road to life.
that lies beyond death.
May nothing, neither denial, anger, nor depression,
separate us from the love of God.
Strengthen our faith in God.
who always finds ways of keeping us in his friendship.
Be beside us to hold our hand.
when we take our first hesitant steps towards the eternal kingdom.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.
Day 8
Joseph, Terror of Demons
Courageous Joseph, advised by an angel,
you confront your fears of the unknown.
Your light shines brightly, penetrating the dark corners of your being.
Your fears dispersed, you rediscover your true face,
and actively participate in the divine project.
Once you helped reunite a Mother with her Child.
just so reunite a people with their God.
Together with Mary and Jesus, you dwell in the heart of God.
Help us to rediscover the solid core of our identities,
beyond all internal fears.
Counsel us so we may build a better world.
to welcome the coming kingdom.
Shed your light on our inner lives,
that, freed from the grip of our anxiety,
our decisions may be founded in Love.
May the face of God shine on us!
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be….
St. Joseph – Pray for us.