Prayer by definition is a “an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought” . For us Catholics, Prayer is more than just expressing a petition, it is a heart to heart relationship with God. Developing an intimate prayer life with the Lord, will help us to fully know Him, love Him, and worship Him in our daily lives.
There are a lot of Catholic Prayers out there, but often people ask the question of “What are the 3 main Catholic Prayers?”. As mentioned, there are a lot of Catholic Prayers out there, hence we can not only conclude that there are only 3 main prayers in the Catholic Church. We instead made a condensed list of some of the basic Catholic Prayers that we often hear during Mass and other Catholic devotions.
The Sign of the Cross
This is one of the simplest prayers in the Catholic faith. Some may see the Sign of the Cross as completely unnecessary, but through this we begin our prayer and this has been ingrained in our prayer lives as Catholics make the sign of the cross in Mass, personal prayer, and prayer with friends and family; even during prayer before and after meals. The sign of the cross comes with a theological meaning dating way back in ancient traditions.
How to pray the Sign of the Cross
“In the name of the Father, [while touching the right hand to the forehead]
and of the Son, [moving the hand to the chest]
and of the Holy Spirit. [touching one shoulder, then the other]
Amen.”
The Our Father 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.
A Very Important Prayer
The Our Father or the Lord’s Prayer is a very important prayer indeed. Jesus taught us this prayer and acts as a universal prayer for Christians. The Our Father is mentioned in the bible and can be found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.
The Glory Be Prayer
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.
A Well Known Doxolgy
The Glory Be prayer is also one of the most common Catholic prayers out there. It is a well-known doxology and mostly known from the Rosary as it is recited at the end of each decade. This prayer has been around for quite some time as it is also recognized by its Latin name. “Gloria Patri”.
The Hail Mary Prayer
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.
An Honor to the Blessed Mother
The Hail Mary Prayer is one of the most common prayers in the Catholic Church that honors the Blessed Virgin Mother.
The Apostle’s Creed
Below is the text of the Apostle’s Creed prior to the liturgical changes in Advent 2011.
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.
A Universal Prayer
The Apostle’s Creed is seen as an overview or summary of the Apostle’s faith and teachings. It is used in the Catholic Church’s liturgy. The Apostle’s Creed is not only prayed by the Catholic Church by some other Christian denominations as well.
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed professes the reality of Jesus Christ’s life and affirms and explains the Church’s teachings on the Holy Trinity.
I believe in one God, the Father, the 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 and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of 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. With the Father and the Son, he is adored and glorified. He 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.
The Angelus
The Angelus prayer talks about the Annunciation. Traditionally the Angelus is prayed three times a day, at 6 am, 12 noon and 6 pm.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary
R. 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.
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
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.
V. And the Word was made flesh,R. And dwelt among us.
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.
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 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.