Frequently Asked Questions
Why teach traditional Catholic prayers?
- To give students a sense of routine.
- To give students a working knowledge of simple prayer to pray in times of need.
- To give students a connection to the greater church of the world, family and the communion of saints.
- To give students a sense of Catholic Identity.
How can all of these prayers be taught?
- Children are encouraged to pray at all times of the day (not just in the morning, at lunch, and dismissal). There are many opportunities to introduce different prayers (praying before a test, a class, a field trip, an event, etc). Teachers are encouraged NOT to always use the same prayer for each time of day.
- Children are given prayer cards or prayer folders to hold (tape) their prayers.
- Suggested activity: Put the prayer name on a popsicle stick – have a child draw a stick at the time of prayer and say that prayer.
What about spontaneous prayer?
- Teachers are encouraged to provide for the children opportunities for spontaneous prayer, journaling prayer and other non-formal forms of prayer along with these traditional prayers.
- This allow students to see that tradition and modern prayer can interact.
Suggested Prayers Top of Page

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Sign of the Cross

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

The Our Father

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

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.

Meal Prayer

Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts,
which we are about to receive,
from thy bounty,
through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

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.


Suggested Prayers		Top of Page

First Grade
Guardian Angel Prayer

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

Mass Responses

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Rosary
1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the "Apostles' Creed."
2. Say one "Our Father," and three "Hail Marys."
3. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
4. Announce the First Mystery; then say the "Our Father."
5. Say ten "Hail Marys," while meditating on the Mystery (See Fourth Grade).
6. Say the "Glory be to the Father."
7. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the "Our Father." Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
NOTES:
- After the Rosary say the “Hail, Holy Queen”.
- After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy."
- As suggested by the Pope John Paul II the Joyful mysteries are said on Monday and Saturday, the Luminous on Thursday, the Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, and the Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday (with this exception: Sundays of Christmas season - The Joyful; Sundays of Lent - Sorrowful)
Stations of the Cross
Christ condemned to death;

the cross is laid upon him;

His first fall;

He meets His Blessed Mother;

Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross;

Christ's face is wiped by Veronica;

His second fall;

He meets the women of Jerusalem;

His third fall;

He is stripped of His garments;

His crucifixion;

His death on the cross;

His body is taken down from the cross; and

laid in the tomb.
Suggested Prayers Top of Page
Second Grade
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
- I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
- to do penance,
- to sin no more, and
- to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In His Name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.
Ten Commandments
1. I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Jesus’ Great Commandment
- You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.
- And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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;
the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and
sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty;
from there 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 life everlasting.
Amen.

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Third Grade

A Morning Offering
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 reparation for my sins,
for the intentions of all my relatives and friends,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Amen.

Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God
in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins
and that he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches
because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom,
who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die.
Amen.
Act of Hope
O Lord God,
I hope by your grace for the pardon of all my sins
and after life here to gain eternal happiness because you have promised it
who are infinitely powerful, faithful, kind, and merciful.
In this hope I intend to live and die.
Amen.
Act of Love
O Lord God, I love you above all things and
I love my neighbor for your sake
because you are the highest, infinite and perfect good,
worthy of all my love.
In this love I intend to live and die.
Amen.
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one Being 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
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again 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.
We 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 worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Suggested Prayers Top of Page
Fourth Grade
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Mysteries of the Rosary
Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation. Fruit of the Mystery: Humility
2. The Visitation. Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor
3. The Nativity. Fruit of the Mystery: Poverty (poor in spirit), Detachment from the things of the world, Contempt of Riches, Love of the Poor
4. The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: Purity
5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: True Wisdom and True Conversion.
Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden. Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin, Uniformity with the will of God
2. The Scourging at the Pillar. Fruit of the Mystery: Mortification
3. The Crowning with Thorns. Fruit of the Mystery: Contempt of the world
4. The Carrying of the Cross. Fruit of the Mystery: Patience
5. The Crucifixion. Fruit of the Mystery: Salvation
Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection. Fruit of the Mystery: Faith
2. The Ascension. Fruit of the Mystery: Hope and desire for Heaven
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. Fruit of the Mystery: Holy Wisdom to know the truth and share with everyone
4. The Assumption of Mary. Fruit of the Mystery: Grace of a Happy Death and True Devotion towards Mary
5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance and Crown of Glory
Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Fruit of the Mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit
2. The Wedding at Cana. Fruit of the Mystery: To Jesus through Mary
3. Jesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance and Trust in God
4. The Transfiguration. Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness
5. The Institution of the Eucharist. Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration
Hail Holy Queen
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.
V- Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R- That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Confiteor

I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Amen.

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Fifth Grade

Prayer Before Reconciliation
Receive my confession, O most loving and gracious Lord Jesus Christ,
only hope for the salvation of my soul.
Grant to me true contrition of soul, so that day and night I may
by penance make satisfaction for my many sins.

Savior of the world, O good Jesus,
Who gave Yourself to the death of the Cross to save sinners,
look upon me, most wretched of all sinners;
have pity on me, and give me the light to know my sins,
true sorrow for them, and a firm purpose of never committing them again.
O gracious Virgin Mary, Immaculate Mother of Jesus,
I implore you to obtain for me by your powerful intercession
these graces from you Divine Son. St. Joseph, pray for me.
Amen.
Prayer After Reconciliation
O almighty and most merciful God,
I give You thanks with all the powers of my soul
for this and all other mercies, graces, and blessings bestowed on me,
and prostrating myself at Your sacred feet,
I offer myself to be henceforth forever Yours.
Let nothing in life or death ever separate me from You!
I renounce with my whole soul all my treasons against You,
and all the abominations and sins of my past life.
I renew my promises made in Baptism, and from this moment
I dedicate myself eternally to Your love and service.
Grant that for the time to come, I may detest sin more than death itself,
and avoid all such occasions and companies as have unhappily brought me to it.
This I resolve to do by the aid of Your divine grace, without which I can do nothing.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revilings, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord,
Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart.
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray
Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son
and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee
in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness,
grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same
Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end. Amen

Suggested Prayers Top of Page
Sixth Grade

The Angelus

V- The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R- And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
(Hail Mary....)

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 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.
Amen.
The Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.

May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection,
at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world,
even to the end of time. Amen.

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Seventh Grade

Prayer Before Communion
Father in heaven, you have made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Fulfill this longing through Jesus, the bread of life, so that we may witness to him who alone satisfies the hungers of the human family. By the power of your Spirit lead us to the heavenly table where we may feast on the vision of your glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer After Communion
O Sacrament most holy! O Sacrament Divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.

O Sacrament most holy! O Sacrament Divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.

O Sacrament most holy! O Sacrament Divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me Body of Christ, save me Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me Passion of Christ, strengthen me O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels
Forever and ever Amen

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Eighth Grade

Prayer to Know One’s Vocation
Lord Jesus, up until now you have been quietly preparing me to be your disciple. Now the time of preparation is ending. I seem to hear you say to me, as once to Peter; "Will you also go away?"

You were saddened then by friends who failed you. But Peter did not fail. "Lord," he said, "to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

I stand with Peter. Through prayer and counsel, show me, Lord, where it is in your vineyard that you want me to serve. Then give me strength to be faithful.
Mary, Mother and Model, help me to respond in generous love to the call of your Divine Son.
Amen.

Prayer for Vocations
O God, we earnestly ask you to bless our diocese with many priests, brothers, sisters, and deacons who will love you with their whole mind and heart, and gladly spend their entire lives serving your Church, and making you known and loved. Bless our families, bless our children, and choose from our homes those needed for your work. Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us. Pray for our priests, religious and deacons. Obtain for us many more. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Litany of Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.

Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.

Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant, pray for us.
Gate of Heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, pray for us.
Help of Christians, pray for us.

Queen of angels, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of prophets, pray for us.
Queen of apostles, pray for us.
Queen of martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of confessors, pray for us.
Queen of virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of peace, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Suggested Prayers

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fifth Grade

Sixth Grade

Seventh Grade

Eighth grade

Sign of the Cross

The Our Father

Hail Mary

Meal Prayer

Glory Be

Guardian Angel Prayer

Mass Responses

Rosary

Stations of the Cross

Act of Contrition

Ten Commandments

Jesus’ Great Commandment

Apostle’s Creed

A Morning Offering

Act of Faith

Act of Hope

Act of Love

Nicene Creed

Memorare

Mysteries of the Rosary

Hail Holy Queen

Confiteor

Prayer Before Reconciliation

Prayer After Reconciliation

Prayer to St. Michael

Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sixth Grade

The Angelus

The Divine Praises

Seventh Grade

Prayer Before Communion

Prayer After Communion

Anima Christi

Eighth Grade

Prayer to Know One’s Vocation

Prayer for Vocations

Litany of Mary