Our Lady of Good Counsel Religious Formation “Prayers Your Children Should Know”

There are prayers and religious concepts your children should know by heart or be familiar with at certain ages. These are guidelines to help us as educators, catechists, and parents to have a basic understanding of where our children should be in terms of this aspect of their prayer life and faith formation. We thought we’d share this with you to help you with your children and the prayers we all need to know…and when.

AGE PRAYER

3 – 5 (memorize) Our Father (memorize) (memorize) Glory Be (memorize) (Morning & Night prayers) – (memorize) Blessing Before Meals (memorize)

6 - 8 Act of Faith (be familiar with) Act of Hope (be familiar with) Act of Love (Charity) (be familiar with) Act of Contrition (memorize) The Apostle’s (memorize)

9 - 11 The (be familiar with) – (be familiar with) Mysteries of the (memorize) (be familiar with) Come, Holy Spirit (be familiar with)

12 – 14 Liturgy of the Hours (be familiar with) Prayers of the (memorize-Confetior, Creed, )

1 Prayers Children Should Know…AGE 3 - 5

Our Father Hail Mary Sign of the Cross

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hail Mary, full of grace! In the name of the hallowed be thy name, The Lord is with thee, Father, and of the Son, thy kingdom come, Blessed are thou And of the Holy Spirit, thy will be done, among women, Amen. on earth as it is in heaven. and blessed is the fruit

Give us this day our daily Of they womb, . bread, and forgive us our Holy Mary, trespasses, as we forgive those Mother of God, who trespass against us; and Pray for us sinners, Glory Be lead us not into temptation now and at the but deliver us from evil. hour of our death. Glory be to the Father, Amen. Amen. and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was Blessing before Angel of God Meals in the beginning,

is now and Angel of God, ever shall be, Bless us O Lord, my Guardian dear, world without end. and these Thy gifts, to whom God’s love, Amen. which we are about to entrusts me here. receive, from Thy Ever this day, bounty through Christ be at my side; our Lord. AMEN. to light and guard,

to rule and guide.

Amen.

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Prayers Children Should Know…AGE 6 – 8

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Apostles’ Creed Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became I believe in God, the Father almighty, Man, and died for our sins, and that He will Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus come to judge the living and the dead. Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (all bow up to I believe these and all the truths which the and including Virgin Mary) who was conceived Holy Catholic teaches, because by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Thou hast revealed them, Who canst Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was neither deceive nor be deceived. crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he ACT OF HOPE will come to judge the living and the dead. O my God, relying on Thy almighty power I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy and infinite mercy and promises, I , the communion of saints, hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of of Thy grace, and Life Everlasting, through the body, and life everlasting. Amen. the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and

Redeemer.

Act of Contrition ACT OF CHARITY / ACT O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because OF LOVE of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who O my God, I love Thee above all things, are all good and deserving of all my love. I with my whole heart and soul, because firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I to confess my sins, to do , and to love my neighbor as myself for the love of amend my life. Amen. Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

3 Prayers Children Should Know…AGE 9 - 11

The Nicene Creed

The Angelus I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. with the Father; through him all things were made.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (all bow up to and unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary . . . including became man) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt and became man. For our sake he was crucified under among us. Hail Mary . . . Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we accordance with the Scriptures. He may be made worthy of the promises of ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come Christ. again in glory to judge the living and the Let us pray: dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism Lord. Amen. for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Memorare ) Come, Holy Spirit Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of love. virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and created. answer me. Amen. 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 4 consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers Children Should Know…AGE 9 - 11

THE ROSARY

Start by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then recite the Apostle’s Creed:

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; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will 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.

Then say 1 "Our Father", 3 "Hail Mary's" for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; and then 1 "Glory Be":

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, 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 death. Amen.

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.

The Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries. While meditating on the Mysteries, recite: 1 "Our Father" 10 "Hail Mary's" and 1 "Glory Be" for each Mystery. After each Mystery the "Fatima Prayer" is said. “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.” All together this makes up one decade. After the completion of the five mysteries (five decades), the "Hail Holy Queen" is said

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 us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

5 THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES ( Mondays and Saturdays, may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas):

1. The 2. The Visitation 3. The Nativity 4. The Presentation 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesdays and Fridays, may be said on Sundays during Lent ):

1. The Agony in the Garden 2. The Scourging at the Pillar 3. The Crowning with Thorns 4. The Carrying of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Wednesdays and Sundays):

1. The Resurrection 2. The Ascension 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Thursdays):

1. The Baptism in the Jordan 2. The Wedding at Cana 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom 4. The Transfiguration 5. Institution of the Eucharist

For the intentions of the Holy Father, one may recite at this point 1 "Our Father", 1 "Hail Mary", and one "Glory Be".

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

6 Prayers Children Should Know…AGE 12 - 14

Marian Devotions

Let us pray [that Mary the mother of the Lord, will help us by her prayers] God our Father may we always profit by the prayers of the Virgin Mother Mary, for you bring us life and salvation through Jesus Christ her Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Chronological list of Feast Days of Mary

January 1 - Solemnity of Mary January 8 - Our Lady of Prompt Succor February 2 - Presentation of the Lord February 11- March 25 - Annunciation (formerly The Feast of the Incarnation) May 31 - Visitation June 27 - Our Mother of Perpetual Help July 16 - August 15 - Assumption August 22 - Queenship of Mary September 8 - Birth of Mary September 12 - The Most Holy Name of Mary September 15 - September 24 - Our Lady of Walsingham, England 7 - October 8 - Our Lady of Good Remedy November 21 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 8 - December 12 -

7 Prayers Children Should Know…AGE 12 - 14

Stations of the Cross

Opening Prayer

Mary, my Mother, you were the first to live the Way of the Cross. You felt every pain and every humiliation. You were unafraid of the ridicule heaped upon you by the crowds. Your eyes were ever on Jesus and His Pain. Is that the secret of your miraculous strength? How did your loving heart bear such a burden and such a weight? As you watched Him stumble and fall, were you tortured by the memory of all the yesterdays- His birth, His hidden life and His ministry?

You were so desirous of everyone loving Him. What a heartache it was to see so many hate Him - hate with a diabolical fury. Take my hand as I make this Way of the Cross. Inspire me with those thoughts that will make me realize how much He loves me. Give me light to apply each station to my daily life and to remember my neighbor's needs in this Way of the Pain.

Obtain for me the grace to understand the mystery, the wisdom and the Divine love as I go from scene to scene. Grant that my heart, like yours, may be pierced through by the sight of His sorrow and the misery and that I may determine never to offend Him again. What a price He paid to cover my sins, to open the gates of heaven for me and to fill my soul with His own Spirit . Sweet Mother, let us travel this way together and grant that the love in my poor heart may give you some slight consolation. Amen.

Stations -

1. Jesus is condemned to death 2. Jesus receives the cross 3. The first fall 4. Jesus meets His Mother 5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross 6. Veronica wipes Jesus' face with her veil 7. The second fall 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 9. The third fall 10. Jesus is stripped of His garments 11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross 12. Jesus dies on the cross 13. Jesus' body removed from the cross (Pieta) 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Closing Prayer My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real and I feel so ashamed. I complain of my sufferings and find obedience to the Father's Will difficult. My Mind bogged down by the poverty, sickness, starvation, greed and hatred in the world. There are many innocent people who suffer so unjustly. There are those born with physical and mental defects. Do we understand that You continue to carry Your cross in the minds and bodies of each human being? Help me to see the Father's Will in every incident of my daily life. This is what You did - you saw the Father's Will in Your persecutors, Your enemies and your pain. You saw a beauty in the Cross and embraced it as a desired treasure. My worldly mind is dulled by injustice and suffering and I lose sight of the glory that is to come. Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering. There is Someone lifting my cross to fit my shoulders – there is Divine Wisdom in all the petty annoyances that irk my soul every day. Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross. Mary, My Mother, obtain for me the grace to be Jesus to my neighbor and to see my neighbor in Jesus. Amen.

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