Essential Prayers

The Sign of the Cross in words: how Catholics begin and end prayer, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Our Father, the Lord's Prayer, in full. The prayer Jesus himself taught, prayed by Catholics around the world every day.

The Hail Mary in full. The beloved prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, drawn from Scripture and prayed in the Rosary.

The Glory Be (Gloria Patri) in full. A short prayer of praise to the Holy Trinity, prayed in the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours.

The Apostles' Creed in full. The ancient summary of the Catholic faith, prayed at the start of the Rosary and at Baptism.

The Nicene Creed in full, the profession of faith prayed at Sunday Mass. The complete current English translation.

The Act of Faith in full. A traditional Catholic prayer professing belief in God and in all the Church teaches.

The Act of Hope in full. A traditional Catholic prayer trusting in God's mercy and the promise of eternal life.

The Act of Love, or Act of Charity, in full. A traditional Catholic prayer of love for God above all things and neighbor as self.

The Act of Contrition in full. The traditional Catholic prayer of sorrow for sin, prayed in Confession and each night.