The Roman Catholic Church also fosters devotional practices, both public and private, including Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (a ceremony of homage to Christ in the Eucharist), the Rosary, novenas (nine days of prayer for some special intention), pilgrimages to shrines, and veneration of saints' relics or statues. The devotional importance attached to the Saints (especially the Virgin Mary) distinguishes Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy from the churches of the Reformation. In the last two centuries the Roman Catholic Church has taught as official doctrine that Mary from her conception was kept free of original sin (the Immaculate Conception) and that at the completion of her life was taken up body and soul into heaven (the Assumption). Catholics are also encouraged to practice private prayer through meditation, contemplation, or spiritual reading. A prayer life is essential to the Christian life — it is "a vital and personal relationship with the living and true God." (Catechism, 2558) Basic Roman Catholic Prayers Traditional, written prayers will form the backbone of your prayer life. These basic Catholic prayers are the five most fundamental ones: The Sign of the Cross The simplest, most basic Catholic prayer. Catholics begin their day and many activities with the sign of the cross. It is a sacramental, a practice that helps us open ourselves to receiving God's grace more effectively. While saying this prayer, bless yourself by making the sign of the cross with one hand: touch your fingers to your forehead at the word "Father",to your heart at the word "Son," to your left shoulder at "Holy", and right shoulder at "Spirit". The Our Father Also called The Lord's Prayer, since Jesus taught it to his disciples (see Matthew 6:9-13). The Our Father is the foundation of Christian prayer (Catechism, 2759). Most people learn it before all other basic Catholic prayers. 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. The Hail Mary The Hail Mary is well-loved and beautiful basic Catholic prayer. It combines two lines from Scripture (Lk 1:28 and Lk 1:42) with a humble request for Mary to pray for 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. The Glory Be 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 Apostles Creed Considered to be a faithful summary of the Apostles' teaching. It is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church at Rome. 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 into hell. 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. Catholic Prayers Throughout the Day Make these prayers the foundation of a strong prayer life! Morning Prayer Morning prayer is a quick way to offer yourself and your whole day to God. It is a choice to begin anew each day, and to clearly choose God at the very start of the day. Some people make a simple and informal prayer as soon as they wake up: "I will serve you, Lord"; or "Lord, help me to love and serve you today"; or even just "serviam" (Latin for "I will serve"). These are all great parts of daily Catholic prayer. This traditional Catholic morning prayer is also very common: 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 thanksgiving for your favors, 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. Grace Before Meals Most Christians say grace before meals to give thanks to the Lord. Grace is an important part of daily Catholic prayer. This is often the first way that children are exposed to a life of prayer. Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer Before a Day's Work A brief minute just before starting work is another important opportunity for prayer. This daily Catholic prayer is from an ancient form of the Litany of the Saints: Direct, we beg you, O Lord, our actions by your holy inspirations, and grant that we may carry them out with your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always with you, and through you be happily ended. Amen. Prayer to Keep the Presence of God This is an alternate prayer to use at the beginning of work, or at the beginning of the day. This traditional daily Catholic prayer helps us acknowledge the presence of God, ask for his help and protection, and dedicate the day's work to him. Lord, God Almighty, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day. Defend us today by your mighty power, so that we may not fall into any sin, and that all our words may so proceed and all our thoughts and actions be so directed as to be always just in your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Angelus The Angelus is a traditional daily Catholic prayer that's often said at 12 noon. This prayer is a beautiful meditation on the Incarnation, and on Mary's role in it. Saying the Angelus at noon is a wonderful way to mark noontime, the center of each day. It helps us return our focus to the eternal. The Angelus steeps us in the spirituality of Mary, with its complete and humble service to the Lord. This is often said as a group prayer, with the leader speaking the V parts and the group responding with the R lines. If you're saying it alone, just read both parts together. V — The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R — And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary... (Say The Hail Mary here.) V — Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R — Be it done unto me according to thy 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. Daily Examination at Night In developing a habit of daily Catholic prayer, one very important time is just before going to bed. This is an opportunity to spend a few brief minutes reviewing the day with the Lord. We call this the "daily examination of conscience." This simple exercise helps you see the events of your day from the perspective of a child of God. This really amounts to only three quick "words" to say in the examination itself. It's generally recommended to take only about 2 or 3 minutes for the examination part itself, or up to 1 minute for each "word." A short time like this can help you keep focused when you're tired. 1. Place yourself in the presence of God, and ask for his help in examining your day. 2. Examine your day (the three "words"): 3. "Thank you": Thank the Lord for the blessings of the day. "I'm sorry": Acknowledge your faults specifically and directly. "Please help me more": Ask the Lord for help for tomorrow. Make specific resolutions. 4. Make an act of contrition (see below). 5. End with an Our Father and a Hail Mary. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, 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 you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen. Catholic Prayers About Mary The Marian prayers are about or to the Blessed Mother: The Hail Mary The Hail Mary is a well-loved and beautiful basic Catholic prayer. It's one of the essential prayers to Virgin Mary. It combines two lines from Scripture (Lk 1:28 and Lk 1:42) with a humble request for Mary to pray for us.