Catholic Prayers, Novenas, and Litanies
Find Catholic prayers for every occasion. Learn about the different types of Catholic prayers, including novenas, litanies, the Rosary, and chaplets. Discover prayers for every season, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Find prayers written by saints, and prayers to the saints, as well as prayers to Christ and the Mother of God, and learn when to use each kind of prayer.
Advent Prayers (7)
Prayers for Workers (5)
Christmas Prayers (2)
Pro-Life Prayers (5)
Daily Prayers (13)
Rosary Prayers (8)
Divine Mercy (12)
To Saint Joseph (7)
Essential Prayers (9)
To the Blessed Sacrament (8)
Grace (2)
To the Holy Family (4)
Litanies (4)
To the Holy Spirit (18)
Novenas (39)
To the Sacred Heart (11)
Prayers for Mothers (5)
To the Virgin Mary (14)
Prayers for the Dead (16)
Prayer for Government
Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore wrote this prayer in 1791. It is a good prayer to pray as a family or as a parish on national holidays, such as Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore wrote this prayer in 1791. It is a good prayer to pray as a family or as a parish on national holidays, such as Independence Day and Thanksgiving.
To the Precious Blood of Jesus
In this moving prayer, we recall the redemptive quality of the Precious Blood of Jesus.
In this moving prayer, we recall the redemptive quality of the Precious Blood of Jesus.
For the Fruits of the Precious Blood
In this prayer, we ask God the Father to help us to recognize our debt to Christ and thus properly to venerate the Precious Blood.
In this prayer, we ask God the Father to help us to recognize our debt to Christ and thus properly to venerate the Precious Blood.
Prayers for July
By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. In July, it is the Precious Blood of Jesus. (The Feast of the Precious Blood, established by Pope Pius IX in 1849, is celebrated each year on the first Sunday of July.) The Precious Blood, like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, has long been venerated for …
By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. In July, it is the Precious Blood of Jesus. (The Feast of the Precious Blood, established by Pope Pius IX in 1849, is celebrated each year on the first Sunday of July.) The Precious Blood, like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, has long been venerated for …
To Obtain the Reunion of the Christians of the East
In this prayer, we recall the importance of the Churches of the East and look forward to the day when we can all once again be one.
In this prayer, we recall the importance of the Churches of the East and look forward to the day when we can all once again be one.
A Devout Exercise for the Unity of the Church
In this prayer, we join with Christ in praying for the unity of all Christians.
In this prayer, we join with Christ in praying for the unity of all Christians.
Offering in Reparation to the Precious Blood
This long but beautiful prayer recalls that our salvation comes through Christ's shedding of His Precious Blood.
This long but beautiful prayer recalls that our salvation comes through Christ's shedding of His Precious Blood.
Prayer to the Eternal Father
In this prayer, offering to God the Father the Precious Blood of Christ, we are reminded that repentance for our sins goes hand in hand with the struggles of the whole Church and concern for the souls in Purgatory.
In this prayer, offering to God the Father the Precious Blood of Christ, we are reminded that repentance for our sins goes hand in hand with the struggles of the whole Church and concern for the souls in Purgatory.
Prayer to Jesus
This short prayer calls to mind the Precious Blood of Jesus and asks Christ for His aid.
This short prayer calls to mind the Precious Blood of Jesus and asks Christ for His aid.
Petition to Jesus Christ
In this prayer, we recall the shedding of Christ's Precious Blood and ask that He may guide our lives so that we may be worthy of Heaven.
In this prayer, we recall the shedding of Christ's Precious Blood and ask that He may guide our lives so that we may be worthy of Heaven.
Tantum Ergo Sacramentum
"Tantum Ergo Sacramentum" is the final two verses of the "Pange Lingua Gloriosi," a Eucharistic hymn that was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
"Tantum Ergo Sacramentum" is the final two verses of the "Pange Lingua Gloriosi," a Eucharistic hymn that was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Pange Lingua Gloriosi
This is a traditional English translation of the "Pange Lingua," a famous Eucharistic hymn composed by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
This is a traditional English translation of the "Pange Lingua," a famous Eucharistic hymn composed by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Prayers for June
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart represents Christ's love for all mankind, and our devotion to it is an expression of our faith in His mercy. These prayers can be incorporated into our daily prayers during this month.
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Sacred Heart represents Christ's love for all mankind, and our devotion to it is an expression of our faith in His mercy. These prayers can be incorporated into our daily prayers during this month.
The Magnificat
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is the Virgin Mary's response to her cousin Elizabeth's greeting at the Visitation, glorifying God and thanking Him for choosing her to bear His Son. It is traditionally recited as part of evening prayer.
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is the Virgin Mary's response to her cousin Elizabeth's greeting at the Visitation, glorifying God and thanking Him for choosing her to bear His Son. It is traditionally recited as part of evening prayer.
Prayer 101
Saint Paul tells us that we should "pray without ceasing," yet in the modern world, it sometimes seems that prayer takes a back seat not only to our work but to entertainment. As a result, many of us have fallen out of the habit of daily prayer that characterized the lives of Christians in centuries past. Yet an active prayer life is essential to our growth in grace. Learn more about prayer an…
Saint Paul tells us that we should "pray without ceasing," yet in the modern world, it sometimes seems that prayer takes a back seat not only to our work but to entertainment. As a result, many of us have fallen out of the habit of daily prayer that characterized the lives of Christians in centuries past. Yet an active prayer life is essential to our growth in grace. Learn more about prayer an…
What Is Prayer?
Prayer is a form of communication, a way of talking to God or to the saints.
Prayer is a form of communication, a way of talking to God or to the saints.
Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints?
Do Catholics believe that saints should be worshiped? If not, why do they pray to saints? Is there a difference between prayer and worship?
Do Catholics believe that saints should be worshiped? If not, why do they pray to saints? Is there a difference between prayer and worship?
Types of Prayer
Prayer is how we communicate with God and the saints. Here are brief descriptions of the five major types of prayer.
Prayer is how we communicate with God and the saints. Here are brief descriptions of the five major types of prayer.
Novena
A novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days.
A novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days.
Aspiration
An aspiration, sometimes called an ejaculation, is a short prayer meant to be memorized and repeated throughout the day.
An aspiration, sometimes called an ejaculation, is a short prayer meant to be memorized and repeated throughout the day.
Ejaculation
An ejaculation, sometimes also called an aspiration, is a short prayer meant to be memorized and repeated throughout the day.
An ejaculation, sometimes also called an aspiration, is a short prayer meant to be memorized and repeated throughout the day.
For the Dying
In this prayer, we ask God to strengthen the dying that they may approach Him in the hope of the resurrection.
In this prayer, we ask God to strengthen the dying that they may approach Him in the hope of the resurrection.
The Breastplate of Saint Patrick
The Lorica, or Breastplate, of Saint Patrick is best known for only one of its verses. But the full version, printed here, incorporates all the elements of Catholic morning prayer.
The Lorica, or Breastplate, of Saint Patrick is best known for only one of its verses. But the full version, printed here, incorporates all the elements of Catholic morning prayer.
Act of Reparation for Blasphemies Uttered Against the Holy Name
We often hear the Name of Jesus spoken casually, at best, and even in anger and blasphemy. Through this Act of Reparation, we offer our own prayers to make up for the sins of others (and, perhaps, our own, if we find ourselves uttering Christ's Name in vain).
We often hear the Name of Jesus spoken casually, at best, and even in anger and blasphemy. Through this Act of Reparation, we offer our own prayers to make up for the sins of others (and, perhaps, our own, if we find ourselves uttering Christ's Name in vain).
The Jesus Prayer
The Jesus Prayer is perhaps the most popular prayer among Eastern Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic, who recite it using prayer ropes that are similar to Western rosaries. It is the perfect prayer to occupy those otherwise wasted moments of our day.
The Jesus Prayer is perhaps the most popular prayer among Eastern Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic, who recite it using prayer ropes that are similar to Western rosaries. It is the perfect prayer to occupy those otherwise wasted moments of our day.
Prayer to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Patron of Youth
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga died at the age of 23, after living a brief but zealous and holy life. Named the patron of youth by Pope Benedict XIII at his canonization, Saint Aloysius is especially important to our culture today, in which so many young people have lost sight of their eternal home.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga died at the age of 23, after living a brief but zealous and holy life. Named the patron of youth by Pope Benedict XIII at his canonization, Saint Aloysius is especially important to our culture today, in which so many young people have lost sight of their eternal home.
A Prayer To Be Said by Young Men
The life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of youth, is a strong example of virtue for young men. This prayer acknowledges the trials and tribulations that young men face and asks Saint Aloysius to intercede for them.
The life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of youth, is a strong example of virtue for young men. This prayer acknowledges the trials and tribulations that young men face and asks Saint Aloysius to intercede for them.
Prayer to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
In this prayer, we ask St. Margaret Mary to intercede for us with Jesus, that we may obtain the graces of the Sacred Heart.
In this prayer, we ask St. Margaret Mary to intercede for us with Jesus, that we may obtain the graces of the Sacred Heart.
Prayer to Saint Thomas More
This prayer invokes St. Thomas More as the patron saint of lawyers, asking him to pray to God for the grace to rise to the highest standards of that profession. The final verse can also be prayed by itself as a prayer to St. Thomas More as the patron saint of large families.
This prayer invokes St. Thomas More as the patron saint of lawyers, asking him to pray to God for the grace to rise to the highest standards of that profession. The final verse can also be prayed by itself as a prayer to St. Thomas More as the patron saint of large families.
Prayer of an Engaged Couple
This beautiful prayer can help an engaged couple get into the habit of praying together before their wedding day, as they ask for the graces to build their lives together and to welcome children into their marriage.
This beautiful prayer can help an engaged couple get into the habit of praying together before their wedding day, as they ask for the graces to build their lives together and to welcome children into their marriage.
Prayer for Those in the Armed Services
This touching prayer for those in the armed services emphasizes the spiritual, rather than the physical, dangers of war, because physical death is powerless to kill the soul, but sin can deprive us of Heaven.
This touching prayer for those in the armed services emphasizes the spiritual, rather than the physical, dangers of war, because physical death is powerless to kill the soul, but sin can deprive us of Heaven.
Prayer for Those Making a Journey
This short prayer can be prayed both for ourselves, as we begin any trip, no matter how short, or for others, that they may be kept safe.
This short prayer can be prayed both for ourselves, as we begin any trip, no matter how short, or for others, that they may be kept safe.
A Prayer to Know Our Vocation
Discerning our vocation in life is important. This is a very good prayer to pray as a novena at those times in life when we need to make a decision about our vocation.
Discerning our vocation in life is important. This is a very good prayer to pray as a novena at those times in life when we need to make a decision about our vocation.
Prayer for Vocations to the Priestly and Religious Life
There are more Catholics than at any time in history, but vocations to the priesthood and religious orders are lagging far behind. In this prayer, we ask God to raise up workers for His Church and for the salvation of souls.
There are more Catholics than at any time in history, but vocations to the priesthood and religious orders are lagging far behind. In this prayer, we ask God to raise up workers for His Church and for the salvation of souls.
Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
The prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian is a common Lenten prayer used by both Eastern Rite Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. It is a good prayer to recite daily (or even several times per day) during Lent. Find the text here.
The prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian is a common Lenten prayer used by both Eastern Rite Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. It is a good prayer to recite daily (or even several times per day) during Lent. Find the text here.