Prayer is the path by which we can enter into intimate communion with God our Father, with Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit, our soul's most kindly Guest. We have constant need of prayer, in the same way that we need air to breathe. Prayer holds the key to our true happiness, our perseverance in faith and grace, our strength to avoid falling into sin, and our willingness to bear the weight of sorrows and trials. In a word, prayer holds the key to our eternal salvation.

Jesus told us to pray always. We can put this divine command into action by living constantly in a state of love and adoration toward God, offering Him all our actions and especially our sufferings, seeking to carry out His will by observing the Commandments and the Gospel. However, we must also dedicate a few moments of the day exclusively to the Lord, when by entering into intimate communion with Him by means of vocal or mental prayer, we can obtain the strength needed for our Christian life.

Common Prayers

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

THE LORD'S 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

THE HAIL MARY 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 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 in to heaven, and sits 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 the life everlasting. Amen

BLESSING BEFORE MEALS Bless us 0 Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive, from your bounty, through Christ Our Lord. Amen

GRACE AFTER MEALS We give You thanks, Almighty God, for these and all Your blessings, and may the souls of the faithful departed, thru the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

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

GUARDIAN ANGEL Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Amen

MORNING OFFERING O Jesus, thru 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, and in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass thruout the world, and in reparation for my sins, and for the General Intentions recommended this month. Amen

BEDTIME PRAYER Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen