Common Catholic Prayers Every Catholic Should Know

Hail Mary

The Hail Mary also comes from Scripture. It contains the words of St. Gabriel the Archangel in Luke 1:28 and the words of Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist, in Luke 1:42.

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.

Glory Be (Doxology)

The Glory Be is a simple prayer of praise to God. It also reminds us of one of our core Catholic beliefs: the Blessed Trinity.

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.

Common Catholic Prayers in the Rosary

The Rosary is a staple prayer for Catholics and is made up of other basic prayers. These include the previous three basic Catholic prayers, as well as the following common Catholic prayers. For step-by-step instructions on how to pray the Rosary, read A Complete Rosary Guide with the Litany

Apostle’s Creed

In the Apostle’s Creed, we recite our beliefs as Catholics. It is said at the very beginning of the Rosary.

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; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth 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.

Fatima Prayer

During one of her apparitions in Fatima, the Blessed Virgin Mary asked us to add this Fatima prayer to the rosary. It is said after the Glory Be at the end of each decade.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.

Hail, Holy Queen

The Hail, Holy Queen is usually said at the end of the rosary, along with the following responses.

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.
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rosary Prayer

This Rosary prayer is commonly said after the Hail, Holy Queen when praying the Rosary, beginning with, “Let us pray.”

V. Let us pray, 
R. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Common Catholic Prayers in the Mass

In addition to the Our Father, the following prayers are the common Catholic prayers the congregation says during the Novus Ordo, or Ordinary Form of the Mass. In the Traditional Latin Mass, or Extraordinary Form, the servers and choir pray the prayers on behalf of the congregation, though the congregation may recite the Nicene Creed, or Credo.

Penitential Act

The Penitential Act is a prayer in which we confess our sins to God, the saints, and our brethren, and ask for their prayers.

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 (strike your breast three times); 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.

Gloria

The Gloria is a prayer of praise to God. However, it is not said during the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed, also called the Niceo-Constantinopolitan Creed, states what we believe as Catholics in a little more detail than the Apostle’s Creed. During Sunday Mass, it is said after the Gospel and Homily.

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, At the words that follow up to and including and became man, all bow. 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.

Sanctus

The Sanctus is a hymn taken from Isaiah 6:3 and Matthew 21:9.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

This prayer is said during the Breaking of the Bread before Holy Communion.

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.

Prayer of Humble Access

This prayer is said before Holy Communion, after the Lamb of God prayer, when the priest holds up the Eucharist, host above the chalice. It comes from Matthew 8:8.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Common Catholic Prayers to the Angels

The following are a couple common Catholic prayers to the angels that are good for every Catholic to know.

Guardian Angel Prayer

God assigns an angel to each of his sons and daughters to help guide and protect them. Praying the Guardian Angel prayer each day is a great way to acknowledge your guardian angel. You can also replace “day” with “night” in the prayer when saying it at night.

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, rule and guide. Amen.

St. Michael Prayer

Many Catholics pray the St. Michael prayer for protection from evil. Some say it as an optional add-on to the rosary. And some churches pray it after Mass too.

St. 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 prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Other Common Catholic Prayers

Some other common Catholic prayers that are good to know are:

Divine Praises

The Divine Praises are often recited during Eucharistic Adoration.

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 Ghost, 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.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

Memorare

The Memorare is a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary asking for her intercession, especially during difficult times.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do 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.

Angelus

The Angelus is normally said at 6am, noon, and 6pm in remembrance of the Incarnation.

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 your 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 you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, your 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.

Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven)

The Regina Caeli, or Queen of Heaven, is said in place of the Angelus during the Easter season, from Easter Day through Pentecost.

V. Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. 
R. For he whom you did merit to bear, alleluia, 
V. Has risen as he said, alleluia. 
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia, 
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia, 
R. For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray. O God who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we beseech you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Morning Offering

It is important to offer each day to the Lord, and saying the Morning Offering each morning is a great way to do so.

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, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.

Act of Contrition

There are many variations of the Act of Contrition prayer, but this is a traditional one commonly said during the Sacrament of Penance. It can also be said at the end of the day after making an examination of conscience.

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.

Grace Before Meals

It is a good idea to thank God for each meal before we sit down to eat by saying a Grace Before Meals prayer like this one.

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Grace After Meals

It is also nice to thank God for each meal after having eaten it with a prayer like this one.

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit

This prayer is a common Catholic prayer for calling on the Holy Spirit when in need of His guidance.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle 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. 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.

Requiem Prayer

And don’t forget to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory. They are often forgotten, but they need our prayers too!

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

And last but not least, the sign of the cross. Make the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of prayer, when being blessed by a priest, when blessing oneself with holy water, when genuflecting, when passing the Eucharist (in Church or driving by a Catholic church), after receiving Holy Communion, or anytime as a quick prayer.

In the name of the Father (bring right hand to forehead), and of the Son (bring right hand to chest), and of the Holy Spirit (bring right hand to left shoulder, then to right shoulder). Amen.

Common Catholic Prayers PDF

If you would like a convenient pdf download of all of these prayers, download my Common Catholic Prayers Every Catholic Should Know Ebook.

Conclusion

I hope you found this list of common Catholic prayers helpful. In this list, I have only included single Catholic prayers, leaving out prayers that are made up of a series of prayers, like the Rosary. In addition to this list of common Catholic prayers, it would probably be good for you to also familiarize yourself with the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Stations of the Cross.

So, how many of the above prayers do you know? Let me know in the comments below!

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