Despite its title, some of the prayers on this page are common to all Christians. However, there are some which tend to be used only by Catholics (and Anglo-Catholics). Further suggestions welcome.
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The Lords Prayer
The Hail Mary
Glory Be
The Creed
The Angelus
St Michael the Archangel
Come Holy Spirit
The Lords Prayer ("Our Father" - in Latin, the "Paternoster" )
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
(When praying with other Christians, it is usual to add "For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever" before the "Amen")
The "Hail Mary" ("Ave Maria" )
Hail, Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed are 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
The "Glory Be"
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
The Creed ("Credo - "I believe" - the summary of faith used in the Mass. This is based on the wording agreed at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and ratified at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381. It differs slightly from the earlier "Apostle's Creed" )
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father ;
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God ;
begotten, not made ; of one Being with the Father.
Through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation He came down from heaven.
By the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man. (All bow)
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day He rose again 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.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son He is worshipped and glorified; He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy Catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
The Angelus (a prayer celebrating the Annunciation and Incarnation: tradtionally recited at 6am, noon, and 6pm in convents and monasteries, signalled by the ringing of the "Angelus bell". It is said daily in Bishops House at noon. Usually there is a Leader and responders.)
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
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.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary . . .
And the Word was made Flesh:
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary . . .
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
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 we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
St Michael the Archangel. (A prayer used when there is need of spiritual protection or challenge. )
St. 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 hosts,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..
Come, Holy Spirit (Veni, Sancte Spiritus) (There are many versions of the last two lines of this prayer.)
Come, Holy Spirit, 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 instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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