Prayer for Catholic Families

Easter Season Prayer

Alleluia! Jesus has risen!

We pray in thanks for . . .

Jesus and His Holy Cross, 

the Apostles that built His Church, 

and Mary, the New Eve.

We pray for purity and generosity 

during the Easter Season.

Morning Prayer

Simple Morning Offering 
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for our day,
Help us in all that we think, do and say.
Amen.                  
 

  
Young Adult Morning Offering   

My God, I offer you my prayers, works,    

joys and sufferings of this day, 

in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. 

I offer them for all the intentions                     

of your Son's Sacred Heart, for the salvation of souls,  

reparation for sin, and the reunion of Christians. 

Amen.

 Minnesota Catholic Schools image

Intentions and Gratitude

Following an intention,or gratitude,
we say, "We pray to the Lord."
Then, "Lord, Hear our Prayer" or "Thanks be to God."
          

Saint Intercession

Read an excerpt from a Saint Biography (Lives of the Saints, Saints for Young Readers).  Reflect.  We are not worshipping saints.  We are using their example to help us be better Christians.  This can be as simple as, "Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us to learn in school today."

                    

Afternoon Prayer

Angelus

This prayer is often said at 12 noon: 

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. 

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. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. 

Hail Mary . . . 

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. 

Hail Mary . . . 

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, 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.

Evening Prayer

Before Bedtime:  

Angel of God:  Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Hail Mary:

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Our 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 following prayer is a combination of acronyms people have used to remember good prayer.  I'm certain others use the same letters to help them.  Although unoriginal, my children love praying this way before they go to sleep:  

'P' stands for Praise.  We say, "I adore you because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."  Or, "I love you Father, Son, Holy Spirit."

'R' stands for Repent.  We say, "Jesus, I am sorry for my sins."   Or, "Have Mercy on me a sinner."   Our family is able to list many.  We also discuss confession with our children who receive this sacrament.

'A' stands for Ask.  We ask God to bless those who need His love, guidance and protection.

'Y' stands for You are thanked.  We say, "Thank you God for . . ."

Amen.

Catholic Prayers

Grace Before Meals: Bless us Oh Lord and these our gifts, which we are about to receive, from Thy bounty, through Christ Oh Lord. Amen.

 The Johnny Appleseed Blessing:

Oh, the Lord is good to me,

And so I thank the Lord

For giving me the things I need

The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed.

The Lord is good to me.

Rosary: As a family, we say the rosary once a week.  The little ones color or look at picture books, and do not always finish praying with us.  Our older children participate.  We often assign leaders by gender (Dad/Sons, Mom/Daughters).  The following link is for children to explore and recite The Rosary:  http://www.catholic-kids.com/rosary.htm.

EWTN

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.

Cradle Catholic?  This link will still be helpful: Beginning Catholics, has a wealth of Catholic Prayers