Prayer Life

Traditional Catholic Prayers

‘For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.’ Thérèse of Lisieux

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 our death.
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.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

A prayer to my Guardian Angel
O angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here;
ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

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

Grace after meals
We give you thanks for all your benefits, Almighty God, for the meal we have shared and the blessings we have received, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee we do cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy 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.

Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 
and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Blessed Sacrament Parish, 29 Fore Street, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2QJ
Telephone: 01392 274724 Email: exeter-heavitree@prcdtr.org.uk