Prayers, Devotions and Good Works

Sign of the Cross

The Sign of the Cross is made by putting the right hand to the forehead, then to the breast, then to the left and right shoulders, saying: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." The Sign of the Cross is a profession of Faith in the chief mysteries of the true Religion. The words, "In the name," express the unity of God. The words that follow, "of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," express the mystery of the Trinity. The making of the Sign of the Cross expresses the mystery of the Incarnation and Redemption, by reminding us that the Son of God came down from heaven, suffered and died on the Cross, to save us from perdition and bring us to salvation.

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 them who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13)

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women (Luke 1:28), and blessed is the fruit of thy womb (Luke 1:42), Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Council of Ephesus)

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell: the third day he arose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, sitteth 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 Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and in life everlasting. Amen.

The Christian Acts

An Act of Faith. "O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three divine persons, the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy 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 Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived."

An Act of Hope. "O my God, relying on Thy infinite goodness and Thy promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer."

An Act of Love. "O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and asked pardon of all whom I have injured."

An Act of Contrition. "O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, 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 Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life."

The Confiteor. "I confess to almighty God, to the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to the Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints that I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech thee, blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me. May the Almighty God have mercy on me and forgive me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution and remission of all my sins. Amen."

The Blessing Before Meals

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

Grace After Meals

"We give thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest forever; and may the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary; And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. Hail Mary! etc.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy Word. Hail Mary! etc.

And the Word was made flesh: And dwelt amongst us. Hail Mary! etc.

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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the divine assistance remain always with us.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
  1. The annunciation by the Archangel Gabriel.
  2. The visit of the Blessed Virgin to her cousin, Saint Elizabeth.
  3. The birth of our Saviour.
  4. The presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple.
  5. The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple amidst the doctors.

THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
  1. The agony in the garden.
  2. The scourging at the pillar.
  3. The crowning with thorns.
  4. The carrying of the cross.
  5. The crucifixion and death of our Saviour.
THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
  1. The resurrection of our Lord.
  2. The ascension into heaven.
  3. The coming down of the Holy Ghost.
  4. The assumption of our Blessed Lady into heaven.
  5. The crowning of the most Blessed Virgin Mary in heaven.

The Three Chief Good Works

The Three Chief Good Works are:
  1. Prayer
  2. Fasting
  3. Almsgiving

The Evangelical Counsels

The Evangelical Counsels are:

The Eight Beatitudes

  1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.
  3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.
  4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall be filled.
  5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
  6. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God.
  7. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God.
  8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

  1. To give counsel to the doubtful.
  2. To instruct the ignorant.
  3. To admonish sinners.
  4. To comfort the afflicted.
  5. To forgive offenses.
  6. To bear patiently the troublesome.
  7. To pray for the living and the dead.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

  1. To feed the hungry.
  2. To give drink to the thirsty.
  3. To clothe the naked.
  4. To harbour the harbourless.
  5. To visit the sick.
  6. To visit the imprisoned.
  7. To bury the dead.