Essential Catholic prayers

These are some of the fundamental prayers of the Catholic tradition. They are the foundation of the life of prayer and appear in the Mass, the Rosary and daily devotion.

The Sign of the Cross

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

With it we begin and end prayer, recalling the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

The Our Father

The prayer that Jesus himself taught his disciples.

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

It joins the words of the angel Gabriel and Saint Elizabeth with a plea to the Virgin 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

A short praise to the Trinity.

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.

Other prayers to know

• The Creed: summarizes the central truths of the faith.
• The Hail Holy Queen: a Marian prayer often used to close the Rosary.
• The Act of Contrition: expresses sorrow for one's sins.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the most important prayer? The Our Father, because Jesus himself taught it.

Which prayers are said in the Rosary? Mainly the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be.

Where does the Hail Mary come from? From the greeting of the angel Gabriel and Saint Elizabeth to Mary, in the Gospel of Luke.

---

Want to deepen your faith and study the Bible from a Catholic perspective? Discover Catholic Path, the official app for iOS and Android.