Basic Traditional Catholic Prayers Every Catholic Must Know

SIGN OF THE CROSS

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

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 Heave. 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.

APOSTLES 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 arose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven and is seated 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 Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.  Amen.

ACT OF FAITH

O MY GOD, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons,
Father, 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.

ACT OF HOPE

O MY GOD, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and 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.

ACT OF CHARITY

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 ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

 MORNING PRAYER OF THE SOLDIER
 
In rising, I wish my firsr thOught to be of Thee.
I thank Thee for guarding me during rhe night.
During this day, please keep my body from accident, and my soul from sin.
I am farfrom my farnily, surrounded by new temptations;
please lead and protect me.
Bless, please, my commander and my comrades,
and above all, bless our country.
May I serve today as a good soldier. Amen.

 MORNING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Thanks be to God.
O Christ, Son of the living God, Have merry on us.
O Christ, Son of the living God, Have mercy on us.
Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, Have merry on us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Christ, Son of the living God, Have mercy on us.
Arise, O Christ, and help us.
And deliver us for Thy names sake.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.

Let us pray:
O Lord God almighty, Who hast brought us to the beginning of this day:
defend us in the same by Thy power, that we may not fall this day into any sin,
but that all our thoughts, words, and works may be directed to the fulfillment of Thy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest
with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
 Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His Saints.
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May holy Mary and all the Saints intercede for us with the Lord,
that we may receive help and salvation from Him,
Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.
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Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord make haste to help me. Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord make haste to help me. Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord make haste to help me.
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.

  THE MORNING OFFERING

  O my God, in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary
[here kiss your Scapular as sign of your consecration to Mary,
which carries a partial indulgence], I offer Thee the Precious
Blood of Jesus from all the altars throughout the world, joining
with It the offering of my every thought, word and action of this day.
O my Jesus, I desire to day to gain every indulgence and merit
I can and I offer them, together with myself, to Mary Immaculate,
that she may best apply them in the interests of They Most
Sacred Heart. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

A UNIVERSAL PRAYER
For All Things Necessary to Salvation
Composed by Pope Clement XI, 1721

O MY God, I believe in Thee; do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes are in Thee; do Thou
secure them. I love Thee; teach me to love Thee daily more and more. I am sorry that I have offended Thee; do Thou increase my sorrow.

I adore Thee as my first beginning; I aspire after Thee as my last end. I give Thee thanks as my constant benefactor; I call upon Thee as my sovereign protector.

Vouchsafe, O my God! to conduct me by Thy wisdom, to restrain me by Thy justice, to comfort me by Thy mercy, to defend me by Thy power.

To Thee I desire to consecrate all my thoughts, words, actions, and sufferings; that henceforward I may think of Thee, speak of Thee, refer all my actions to Thy greater glory, and suffer willingly whatever Thou shalt appoint.

Lord, I desire that in all things Thy will may be done because it is Thy will, and in the manner that Thou willest.

I beg of Thee to enlighten my understanding, to inflame my will, to purify my body, and to sanctify my soul.

Give me strength, O my God! to expiate my offenses, to overcome my temptations, to subdue my passions, and to acquire the virtues proper for my state of life.

Fill my heart with tender affection for Thy goodness, hatred of my faults, love of my neighbor, and contempt of the world.

May Thy grace help me to be submissive to my superiors, condescending to my inferiors, faithful to my friends, and charitable to my enemies.

Assist me to overcome sensuality by mortification, avarice by alms-deeds, anger by meekness, and tepidity by devotion.

O my God! make me prudent in my undertakings, courageous in dangers, patient in affliction, and humble in prosperity.

Grant that I may be ever attentive at mv prayers, temperate at my meals, diligent in my employments, and constant in my resolutions.

Let my conscience be ever upright and pure, my exterior modest, my conversation edifying, and my comportment regular.

Assist me, that I may continually labor to overcome uature, to correspond with Thy grace, to keep Thy Commandments, and to work out my salvation.

Make me realize, O my God! the nothingness of this world, the greatness of Heaven, the shortness of time, and the length of eternity.

Grant that I may prepare for death; that I may fear Thy judgments, and in the end obtain Heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am, all that I have, Thou hast given me, and I will give it back again to Thee to be disposed of according to Thy good pleasure. Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with Thee I am rich enough, nor do I ask for aught besides. Amen.

 NIGHT PRAYER

Before I go to sleep, I want to thank Thee for keeping me safe during this day.
What a good Father Thou art to me; I ask only that I may truly be Thy son!
Give my body, please, the repose that is necessary, but, even more,
may my soul have the assurance that it is at peace with Thee.
Bless those who are dear to me, and may we find ourselves joyful together
when my service shall be finished.

May my country know the Holy Gospel and in Thy Holy Church
through which comes all liberty and true greatness.

 ACT OF CONTRITION 1

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. Amen.

AN ACT OF CONTRITION VERSION 2

Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins;
the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul,
the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins;
the sins I know, the sins I do not know; the sins I have concealed
for so long, and which are now hidden from my memory.

I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial,
for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour.

I know my sins have wounded Thy Tender Heart,
O My Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through
the most bitter Passion of My Redeemer. Amen.

O My Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been. Amen.

PRAYER FOR OUR GOVERNMENT

Thou, O Christ, Sovereign King, hast given the power of sovereignty to men through Thy excellent and inexpressible might, that we may know the glory and honor given to them by Thee, and be subject to them, in agreement with Thy Divine will. And to them, Lord, grant health, peace, concord, and firmness, that they may administer the government which Thou hast given them without offense.

For Thou, O heavenly Master, King of eternity, hast given to the sons of men glory and honor and power over the things that are on the earth; do Thou, O Lord, direct their counsels according to that which is "good and pleasing" before Thee, that they may administer with piety in peace and gentleness the power given to them by Thee, and may find mercy in Thine eyes.

  O Thou Who alone art able to do these things and far better things for us, we praise Thee through Jesus Christ, the High Priest and Guardian of our souls, through Whom be glory and majesty to Thee, both now and for all generations and forever and ever. Amen.

------Pope Clement

PRAYER FOR CIVIL AUTHORITIES

We pray Thee, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through Whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist, with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fottitude, the President of the United Srates, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to Thy creatures over whom he presides, by encouraging due respect for virtue and for religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of Thy Divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government; so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge, and may perpetUate to us the blessings of equal liberty. Grant that our leaders recognize and acknowledge publicly that Thou art our Sovereign and only good.

We pray for his Excellency the governor of our state, for the members of the legislature, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise to Thee O unbounded mercy! all our brethren and fellow citizens, throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified in the observance, of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union and in that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

PRAYER FOR MILITARY CHAPLAINS

 O God, Who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the eternal High Priest for the glory of Thy Majesty and the salvation of mankind; grant that they whom He hath chosen to be His chaplains and the stewards of His mysteries, maybe found faithful in the fulfilment of the ministry which they have received.

Grant, O Holy and Mighty Trinity, that they may never lose that purity of heart with which they were ordained, though all around them lie terrors and the uncertainty of war. Give them an abundance of wise counsel, fortitude, temperance and justice and supernatural charity. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR CHARITY AND TOLERANCE

May I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides.
May I never quarrel with those nearest me; and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.
May I never devise evil against any man; if any devise evil against me,
may I escape uninjured and without the need of hurting him.
May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good.
May I wish for all men's happiness and envy none.
May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me.
When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others,
but always rebuke myself until I make amends.

May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent.
May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another.
May I, to the extent of my power, give all needful help to my friends and to all who are in want.
May I never fail a friend in danger.
When visiting those in grief: may I be able, by gentle and healing words, to soften their pain.
May I respect myself. May I always tame that which rages within me.
May I accustom myself to be gentle and never be angry with people because of circumstances.
May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-----Eusebius

PRAYER TO DO GOD's WILL

O Lord, I know not what I should ask of Thee; Thou alone know what I need; Thou lovest me better than I know how to love myself; O Father, give to Thy child that which he himself knows not how to ask.
I dare not ask either for crosses or consolations: I simply present myself before Thee, I open my heart to Thee. Behold my needs which I know not myself; see and do according to Thy tender mercy.

Smite, or heal; depress me, or raise me up: I adore all Thy purposes without knowing them; I am silent; I offer myself in sacrifice; I yield myself to Thee; I would have no other desire than to accomplish Thy will. Teach me to pray. Pray Thyself in me. Amen.

-----Bishop Fenelon

FOUR THINGS

Four things which are not in Thy treasure, I lay before Thee, O Lord, with this petition; my nothingness, my wants, my sins, and my contrition.

-----Robert Southey

PRAYER BEFORE A BATTLE

More than ever I feel the need of having Thee close to me. At any moment I may find myself in battle.
However rigorous the task that awaits me, may I fulfill my duty with courage. If death should overtake me on this field, grant that I die in the state of grace, forgive me all my sins, those I have forgotten and those I recall now: grant me the grace of perfect contrition.

PRAYER ON COMING THROUGH BATTLE UNHARMED

During this terrible day, Thou hast been kind enough to protect me. I make haste to thank Thee, but I am thinking all the time of the many who have fallen, my officers and my comrades. May they receive from Thee all the rewards, the peace, and the rest that are reserved for brave men who did their best. Give their unhappy families, please, the consolation of believing in Thy mercy and love.

AT THE TIME OF CALAMITY

O God, our refuge and our strength, mercifully regard Thy people who cry to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we justly deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

From all dangers, deliver us, O Lord.

O God, Who knowest us to be set in the midst of so great dangers, that, by reason of the frailty of our nature, we cannot stand upright, grant us such health of mind and body, that those evils which we suffer for our sins we may overcome through Thine assistance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF A WOUNDED MAN

Thou hast permitted me to be struck, but Thou hast saved me from death. For the sake of my beloved parents, and for my own sake, I thank Thee from the bottom of my heart.

During the long hours of inaction, may my thoughts often turn to Thee. Support those who do not have hope and and true faith and bring to them into Thy fold, as the Good Shepherd. May there be no more wars, never any more. Change the hearts that are in men that they may feel like brothers and not kill one another.

PRAYER FOR A DYING COMRADE

We pray that this comrade's heart may not be troubled. His strength is going, and he has suffered a great deal, but he is not afraid. Grant that his sins be forgiven by Thee, and that all trials are past for him.
May he not worry about his family, which he loves dearly. He dies believing in Thee, as he has lived, believing in Thee. May Thy face and the happiness of eternal life shine splendidly before his eyes.

COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD

Remember, O Lord, Thy servants, (name them), who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace.

To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, grant, we pray Thee, a place of refreshment, of light,
and of peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE WAR

Our Father, Who art in Heaven: give us, we pray Thee, the courage and the strength to stamp out the threat of paganism and slavery that hangs over the world today.
Be merciful to all those who have died in the service of our country.
Console those who have lost their loved ones in the struggle.
Help our fighting men to be always clean of heart and therefore unafraid.
Soothe the wounded in battle.
Sustain the courage of those who suffer persecution for conscience' sake.
Have pity on all who have been insulted, robbed, tortured, defiled, enslaved by their conquerors.
Grant wisdom to our leaders, civil and military,
that they may most effectively direct our efforts, at home and abroad.
Teach us all to walk humbly with Thee, so that we may be worthy to conquer,
and having conquered may build a peace with justice, under the Fatherhood of God.
Amen.

PRAYER OF A SOLDIER IN FRANCE

My shoulders ache beneath my pack;
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back.)
I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart.)
Men shout at me that may not speak;
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek.)
 I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.
(Then shall my guilty soul forget
Thy agony of Bloody Sweat?)
Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.
So let me render back again T
his millionth of Thy gift. Amen.
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Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do
Thy will through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-----St. Ignatius Loyola

A PRAYER FOR FULFILLING THE WORD OF GOD

Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and continue with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire that which is most acceptable to Thee, and which pleases Thee best.
Let Thy will be mine, and let my will always follow Thine and agree perfectly with it. Let me always will or not will the same with Thee: and let me not be able to will or not will otherwise than as Thou will or will not.  Grant that I may die to all things that are in the world and, for Thy sake, love to be despised, and not to be known in the world. Grant that I may rest in Thee above all things desired, and that my heart may be at peace in Thee.

Thou art the true peace of the heart. Thou art its only rest. Outside of Thee, all things are hard and uneasy.

In this peace, in the self-same that is in Thee, the one sovereign eternal Good, I will sleep, and I will rest. Amen. [Imitation of Christ, Book 3]

PRAYER FOR THE SICK

Almighty, everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe in Thee; hear us on behalf of Thy servants who are sick, for whom we humbly ask the help of Thy mercy, that being restored to health, they may render thanks to Thee in Thy Holy Church.

PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR

O God, Who bringeth wars to nought and doth shield by Thy power all who hope in Thee, overthrowing those who assail them; help Thy servants who implore Thy mercy to seek thy will that they may act justly, and then that the fierce might of their enemy may be brought low and we may never cease to praise and thank Thee.

O God, Who hast dominion over all realms and all kings, Who by striking heals, and by pardoning saves: stretch out over us Thy mercy, so that by Thy power we may enjoy peace and tranquility and use them for our healing and amendment.

Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE

O God, from Whom are holy desires, right counsels, and just works; give to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be disposed to obey Thy commandments, and the fear of enemies being removed, our times, by Thy protection, may be peaceful. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, and ever. Amen.
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O God, the author and lover of peace, Who knowest whom is to live, Thou Who doth reign, shield Thy suppliants from all assaults, so that we who trust in Thy protection may fear no foe. Amen.

A PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE GRACE OF A DEVOUT LIFE

Grant me, O merciful God, to desire eagerly, to investigate prudently, to acknowledge sincerely, and to fulfil perfectly those things that are pleasing to Thee, to the praise and glory of Thy holy Name.

Do Thou, my God, order my life; and grant that I may know what Thou wilt have me to do; and give me to fulfil it as is fitting and profitable to my soul.

Grant me, O Lord my God, the grace not to faint either in prosperity or adversity, that I be not unduly lifted up by the one, nor unduly cast down by the other. Let me neither rejoice nor grieve at anything, save what either leads to Thee or leads away from Thee. Let me not desire to please anyone, nor fear to displease anyone save only Thee.

Let all things that pass away seem vile in my eyes, and let all things that are eternal be dear to me. Let me tire of that joy which is without Thee, neither permit me to desire anything that is outside Thee. Let me find joy in the labor that is for Thee; and let all repose that is without Thee be tiresome to me.

Give me, my God, the grace to direct my heart towards Thee, and to grieve continually at my failures, together with a firm purpose of amendment.

O Lord my God, make me obedient without gainsaying, poor without despondency, chaste without stain, patient without murmuring, humble without pretense, cheerful without dissipation, serious without undue heaviness, active without instability, fearful of Thee without abjectness, truthful without double-dealing, devoted to good works without presumption, ready to correct my neighbor without arrogance, and to edify him by word and example, without hypocrisy.

Give me, Lord God, a watchful heart which shall be distracted from Thee by no vain thoughts; give me a generous heart which shall not be drawn downward by any unworthy affection; give me an upright heart which shall not be led astray by any perverse intention; give me a stout heart which shall not be crushed by any hardship; give me a free heart which shall not be claimed as its own by any unregulated affection.
Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, an understanding that knows Thee, diligence in seeking Thee, wisdom in finding Thee, a way of life that is pleasing to Thee, perseverance that faithfully waits for Thee, and confidence that I shall embrace Thee at the last. Grant that I may be chastised here by penance, that I may make good use of Thy gifts in this life by Thy grace, and that I may partake of Thy joys in the glory of heaven: Who livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen (St. Thomas Aquinas).

PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH

Almighty and merciful God, Who bestowest on mankind the remedies of health and the gifts of life everlasting: look mercifully upon us Thy servants, and refresh the souls which Thou hast made, that, at the hour of their going hence, they may be found worthy to be presented without stain of sin to Thee, their Maker, by the hands of the holy Angels. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION

O almighty, everlasting God, behold I draw near to the Sacrament
of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I draw near,
as a sick man to the Physician of life, as one defiled
to the Fountain of mercy, as one blind to the Light of the eternal splendor,
as one poor and needy to the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Wherefore, I implore the fullness of Thine infinite bounty that Thou wouldst vouchsafe
to heal all my sickness, to wash away my defilement, to give light to my blindness,
to enrich my poverty and clothe my nakedness, so that I may receive the Bread of Angels,
the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with such contrition and devotion,
such purity and faith, such purpose and intention, as may avail
to the welfare and salvation of my soul. Grant me, I beseech Thee,
to receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of my Lord,
but also the very reality and efficacy of the Sacrament.

O most gracious God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ, that very Body which He took of the Virgin Mary,
that I may be truly incorporated into His Mystical Body, and so numbered amongst its members.

O most loving Father, grant me at last to behold with open face, and forevermore,
Thy beloved Son, Whom I purpose to receive now in my pilgrimage,
beneath the veils of this Sacrament; Who livest and reignest, God through everlasting ages.
Amen.

FIVE PRAYERS TO BE RECITED BEFORE OR AFTER COMMUNION

I. I hate and detest each and everyone of my sins and all the sins committed by others from the beginning of the world until this very hour as well as those that will be committed from now until the end of the world: indeed, if I were able, I would prevent them by the grace of God. This grace I humbly implore.
II. I praise and commend all good works, performed from the beginning of the world until this very hour, as well as those that will be performed from now until the end of the world: indeed, if I were able, I would multiply them by the grace of God. This grace I humbly implore.
III. Whatever I do, say, and think, I intend all for the greater glory of God, with all those good intentions that the Saints had in the past or will have in the future or can even now have.
IV. I pardon and forgive with my whole heart all my enemies, all who calumniate me, all who
detract me, all who in any way injure me or desire evil against me.
V. Would that I could save all men by dying for each and everyone! I would gladly do it by the
grace of God. This grace, without which I can do nothing, I humbly implore.

PRAYER FOR A SERVICEMAN

O Mary, Queen of Martyrs, look after my beloved wherever he may be. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night and spur him to bravery when he faces the cruel foe. Keep him inspired by a never undying faith in God our Savior. Wherever his duty takes him, keep his spirit high, and his purpose unwavering. He is my choicest treasure, take care of him, O Mother of God! Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance. Touch him with thy smile of benevolence, comfort him and give him full confidence in thy intercession and my prayers for his every brave pursuit. Fail him not and may he not fail God, his country, nor the ones who love him.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

Behold at thy feet, O Mother of Perpetual Help, a wretched sinner who has recourse to thee, and confides in thee, O Mother of mercy, have pity on me. I hear thee called by all the refuge and the hope of sinners: be then my refuge and my hope. Assist me, for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth thy hand to a miserable fallen creature who recommends himself to thee and who devotes himself to thy service forever.

I bless and thank Almighty God, Who in His mercy hast given me this confidence in thee, which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation.

It is true that in the past I have miserably fallen into sin, because I had not recourse to thee. I know that now, with thy help, I shall conquer.

I know, too, that thou wilt assist me, if I recommend myself to thee; but I fear that in time of danger, I may neglect to call on thee, and thus lose my soul.

This grace, then, I ask of thee, and I beg, with all the fervor of my soul, that, in all the attacks of Hell, I may ever have recourse to thee.

O Mary, help me. O Mother of Perpetual Help, never suffer me to lose my God.

FOR OUR ARMED FORCES

O God, I beg Thee, watch over those exposed to the dangers of a soldier's, sailor's, or airman's life. Give them such strong faith that no human respect may ever lead them to deny it or fear to practice it. Strengthen them by Thy grace against the influence of bad examples so that, being preserved from vice and by serving Thee faithfully, they may be ready to meet death, if it should come to them on land, at sea, or in the air.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, inspire them with sorrow for sin and grant them pardon. Mary, Immaculate Mother of God, protect them. Amen.

Our Lady of Victory, we humbly beg thee to protect all our armed forces everywhere and to give them unflinching courage age to defend our country with honor and dignity. Guard our churches, our homes, our schools, our hospitals, our factories, our buildings, and all therein from harm and peril. Protect our land from enemies within and without. Grant us an early peace and victory founded upon justice. Instill into the hearts and minds of men everywhere, a firm purpose to live forever in peace and good will toward all. Amen.

POPE PIUS XII'S PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

HAIL, O Virgin of Guadalupe, Empress of America!
Keep forever under thy powerful patronage
the purity and integrity of Our Holy Faith
on the entire American continent. Amen.

It is suggested that three Hail Marys be recited for North, Central and South America.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us,
keep us under thy mantle and be our salvation.

PETITIONS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN

Our Lady of Fatima, in thy prayers lie the hope of our country and the peace of the world. We entrust to thy Imcaculate Heart the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who are fighting the godless forces of Communism in order that human freedom, religion, and civilization may survive.

That they may be victorious in the trying hour of temptation . . .
(Repeat, after each petition): Our Lady of Fatima, help them.

That they may quickly rise again should they have the misfortune to fall into sin . . .
That they may break asunder any bonds of Satan in which they may become entangled . . .
Against the temptations of the world, evil companions and bad books . . .
Against the demon of impurity . . .
That they may soon return to the Heart of Jesus should they ever become careless in their religion . . .
That they may be faithful in the frequent reception of the Sacraments and the performance of their Christian duties . . .
That they may ever love and serve God and always invoke His help . . .
That they may seek thy protection in all the trials and dangers of a military life . . .
That they may persevere in the grace of God and have perfect sorrow for their sins . . .
That they may bravely accept the sufferings of battle, and even death, in the spirit of faith and resignation as a martyr's sacrifice . . .
That through them God may wipe out Communism and defeat its forces of evil . . .
That through them all nations may soon enjoy a new era of freedom and good will in a world of Christian peace . . .
O God, since Thou knowest that we are surrounded with great dangers and that we cannot stand up under them because of the weakness of our nature, grant us health of mind and body that with Thy help we may overcome the evils which we suffer for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

NOTE: In the Protestant versions of the Bible, this Psalm is usually Psalm 23, but we use the traditional Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible exclusively in order to remain faithful to the original translation of St. Jerome as adopted and promulgated by the Church from the beginning of the publication of Holy Scripture in the Vulgate.

PSALM 22

Dominus regit me.
God's spiritual benefits to faithful souls.
A Psalm for David.


The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
He hath set me in a place of pasture.
He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
He hath converted my soul.
He hath led me on the paths of justice,
for His Own name's sake.
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff, they have comforted me.
Thou hast prepared a table before me
against them that afflict me.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
And Thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

Biblical note from Challoner Douay-Rheims:
The phrase "ruleth me" in line 1 means in Hebrew: Is my shepherd, that is, to feed, guide and govern me. The reference is to Isaiah 40: 11:

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd:
He shall gather together the lambs with His arm,
and shall take them up to His bosom, [hence CT applied the Sacred Heart]
and He Himself shall carry them that are with young.

PSALM 17
Diligam te, Domine.

David's thanks to God for his delivery from all his enemies.

Unto the end, for David the servant of the Lord, wbo spoke to the Lord tbe words of this canticle, In the day that the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul [2 Kings 22.]

I WILL love Thee, O Lord, my strength:
 The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer.
My God is my helper, and in Him will I put my trust.
My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support.
Praising I will call upon the Lord: and I shall be saved from my enemies.

The sorrows of death surrounded me:
and the torrents of iniquity troubled me.
The sorrows of Hell encompassed me:
and the snares of death prevented me.
In my affliction I called upon the Lord,
and I cried to my God:
And He heard my voice from His holy temple:
and my cry before Him came into His ears.
The earth shook and trembled:
the foundations of the mountains were troubled
and were moved, because He was angry with them.

There went up a smoke in His wrath: a
nd a fire flamed from His face:
coals were kindled by it.

He bowed the heavens, and came down:
and darkness was under His feet.
 And He ascended upon the Cherubim, and He flew;
He flew upon the wings of the winds.
And He made darkness His covert,
His pavilion round about Him:
dark waters in the clouds of the air.

At the brightness that was before Him
the clouds passed, hail and coals of fire.
And the Lord thundered from Heaven,
and the highest gave His voice:
hail and coals of fire.
 
And He sent forth His arrows, and He scattered them:
He multiplied lightenings, and troubled them.
Then the fountains of waters appeared,
and the foundations of the world were discovered:
At thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the Spirit of thy wrath.

He sent from on high, and took me:
and received me out of many waters.
 He delivered me from my strongest enemies,
and from them that hated me:
for they were too strong for me.
They prevented me in the day of my affliction:
and the Lord became my protector.
 And he brought me forth into a large place:
He saved me, because He was well pleased with me.

And the Lord will reward me according to my justice;
and will repay me according to the cleanness of my hands:
Because I have kept the ways of the Lord;
and have not done wickedly against my God.

For all His judgments are in my sight:
and His justices I have not put away from me.
And I shall be spotless with Him:
and shall keep myself from my iniquity.
And the Lord will reward me according to my justice
and according to the cleanness of my hands before His eyes.

With the holy, thou wilt be holy;
and with the innocent man thou wilt be innocent.
And with the elect thou wilt be elect:
and with the perverse thou wilt be perverted.

For Thou wilt save the humble people,
 but wilt bring down the eyes of the proud.

 For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord:
O my God enlighten my darkness.
For by Thee I shall be delivered from temptation;
and through my God I shall go over a wall.

 As for my God, His way is undefiled:
the words of the Lord are fire tried:
He is the protector of all that trust in Him.
For Who is God but the Lord?
or Who is God but our God?

God Who hath girt me with strength;
and made my way blameless.
Who hath made my feet like the feet of harts:
and Who setteth me upon high places.

Who teacheth my hands to war:
and Thou hast made my arms like a brazen bow.
And Thou hast given me the protection of Thy salvation:
and Thy right hand hath held me up:
And Thy discipline hath corrected me unto the end:
and Thy discipline, the same shall teach me.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me;
and my feet are not weakened.
I will pursue after my enemies, and overtake them:
and I will not turn again till they are consumed.
I will break them, and they shall not be able to stand:
they shall fall under my feet.

And Thou hast girded me with strength unto battle;
and hast subdued under me them that rose up against me.
And Thou hast made my enemies turn their back upon me,
and hast destroyed them that hated me.
They cried, but there was none to save them,
to the Lord: but He heard, them not.
And I shall beat them as small as the
dust before the wind;
I shall bring them to nought,
like the dirt in the streets.
Thou wilt deliver me from the contradictions of the people:
Thou wilt make me head of the Gentiles.

 A people, which I knew not, hath served me:
 at the hearing of the ear they have obeyed me.
The children that are strangers have lied to me,
strange children have faded away,
and have halted from their paths.

The Lord liveth, and blessed be my God,
and let the God of my salvation be exalted:
O God, Who avengest me,
and subduest the people under me,
my deliverer from my enemies.
 
And Thou wilt lift me up above them
that rise up against me:
from the unjust man Thou wilt deliver me.

Therefore will I give glory to Thee, O Lord,
among the nations,
and I will sing a psalm to Thy name.
Giving great deliverance to His king,
and shewing mercy to David hHs anointed:
and to his seed for ever.

PSALM 34
Judica, Domine, nocentes me.

JUDGE, Thou, O Lord, them that wrong me:
overthrow them that fight against me.

Take hold of arms and shield:
and rise up to help me.

Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them
 that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation.
Let them be confounded and ashamed
that seek after my soul.

Let them be turned back and be confounded
that devise evil against me.
Let them become as dust before the wind:
and let the Angel of the Lord straiten them.

Let their way become dark and slippery;
and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them.
For without cause they have hidden
their net for me unto destruction:
without cause they have upbraided my soul.

Let the snare which he knoweth not
come upon him:
and let the net which he hath hidden catch him:
and into that very snare let them fall.

But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord
and shall be delighted in His salvation.
All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to Thee?

Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them
that are stronger than he;
the needy and the poor from them that strip him.

Unjust witnesses rising up have asked
me things I knew not.
They repaid me evil for good:
to the depriving me of my soul.

But as for me, when they were troublesome to me,
I was clothed with haircloth.
I humbled my soul with fasting;
and my prayer shall be tuned into my bosom.

As a neighbour and as an own brother,
so did I please: as one mourning
and sorrowful so I was humbled.

But they rejoiced against me,
and came together: scourges were gathered
together upon me, and I knew not.

They were separated, and repented not:
they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn:
they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Lord, when wilt Thou look upon me?
rescue Thou my soul from their malice:
my only one from the lions.

I will give thanks to Thee in a great church;
I will praise Thee in a strong people.

Let not them that are my enemies
wrongfully rejoice over me:
who have hated me without cause,
and wink with the eyes.

For they spoke indeed peaceably to me;
and speaking in the anger of the earth they devised guile.
And they opened their mouth wide against me;
they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.

Thou hast seen, O Lord, be not Thou silent:
O Lord, depart not from me.
Arise, and be attentive to my judgment:
to my cause, my God, and my Lord.
 
Judge me, O Lord my God according to Thy justice,
and let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts:
It is well, it is well, to our mind:
neither let them say:
We have swallowed him up.

Let them blush: and be ashamed together,
who rejoice at my evils.
Let them be clothed with confusion and shame,
who speak great things against me.

Let them rejoice and be glad,
who are well pleased with my justice,
and let them say always:
The Lord be magnified,
Who delights in the peace of His servant.

And my tongue shall meditate Thy justice,
Thy praise all the day long.

PSALM 143
Benedictus Dominus.

Calling on God to be victorious.

BLESSED be the Lord my God,
Who teacheth my hands to fight,
and my fingers to war.

My mercy and my refuge:
my support and my deliverer.

My protector, and I have hoped in Him:
Who subdueth my people under me.

Lord, what is man, that Thou art made known to him?
or the son of man, that Thou makest account of him?
Man is like to vanity:
and his days pass away like a shadow.

Lord, bow down Thy heavens and descend:
touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
Send forth lightning, and Thou shalt scatter them:
shoot out Thy arrows, and Thou shalt trouble them.

Put forth thy hand from on high, take me out,
and deliver me from many waters:
from the hand of strange children:
Whose mouth hath spoken vanity:
and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity.

To thee, O God, I will sing a new canticle:
on the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings
I will sing praises to Thee.

Who givest salvation to kings:
Who hast redeemed Thy servant David
from the malicious sword:
Deliver me, and rescue me out of the hand
of strange children; whose mouth hath spoken vanity:
and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity:

Whose sons are as new plants in their youth:
Their daughters decked out, adorned round about
after the similitude of a temple:
Their storehouses full, flowing out of this into that.

Their sheep fruitful in young,
abounding in their going forth: their oxen fat.
There is no breach of wall, nor passage,
nor crying out in their streets.

They have called the people happy,
that hath these things:
but happy is that people whose God is the Lord.

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