Dominican and Traditional Prayers in Latin and English

This section presents key devotional and liturgical prayers deeply rooted in the Dominican tradition and the Catholic spiritual heritage. These prayers have nourished the souls of countless faithful, including saints, scholars, and mystics.

Confiteor (Penitential Prayer)

Latin:
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, et beatae Mariae semper virgini, et beato Dominico patri nostro, et omnibus sanctis, et vobis, fratres, quia peccavi nimis, cogitatione, locutione, opere et omissione, mea culpa; precor vos orare pro me. Amen.

English:
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever a virgin, to blessed Dominic our father, to all the saints and to you, brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly by thought, word, deed and omission, through my fault: I beseech you to pray for me. Amen.

The Angelus

(Traditionally prayed morning, noon, and evening)

Latin:
℣. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae.
℟. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

℣. Ecce ancilla Domini.
℟. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
Ave Maria…

℣. Et Verbum caro factum est.
℟. Et habitavit in nobis.
Ave Maria…

℣. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix.
℟. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus:
Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde:
ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus,
per Passionem eius et Crucem,
ad Resurrectionis gloriam perducamur.
Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

English:
℣. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
℟. And she conceived by 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, prayer for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

℣. 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.

Regina Caeli (Easter Season Marian Prayer)

Latin:
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia:
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

English:
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia:
For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia,
Has risen, as He said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Salve Regina (Dominican Chant)

Latin:
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, Advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

English:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley 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.

Anima Christi

(A favorite of St. Ignatius and St. Thomas Aquinas)

Latin:
Anima Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Iesu, exaudi me.
Intra tua vulnera absconde me.
Ne permittas me separari a te.
Ab hoste maligno defende me.
In hora mortis meae voca me.
Et iube me venire ad te,
ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te
in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from Thee.
From the wicked foe defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to Thee,
that with Thy saints I may praise Thee
forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers Before Study

(By St. Thomas Aquinas)

Before Study:
Latin:
CREATOR ineffabilis, qui de thesauris sapientiae tuae tres Angelorum hierarchias designasti et eas super caelum empyreum miro ordine collocasti atque universi partes elegantissime distribuisti: Tu, inquam, qui verus fons luminis et sapientiae diceris ac supereminens principium, infundere digneris super intellectus mei tenebras tuae radium claritatis, duplices, in quibus natus sum, a me removens tenebras, peccatum scilicet et ignorantiam. Tu, qui linguas infantium facis disertas, linguam meam erudias atque in labiis meis gratiam tuae benedictionis infundas. Da mihi intelligendi acumen, retinendi capacitatem, addiscendi modum et facilitatem, interpretandi subtilitatem, loquendi gratiam copiosam. Ingressum instruas, progressum dirigas, egressum compleas. Tu, qui es verus Deus et homo, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English (Excerpt):
O INFINITE Creator, who in the riches of Thy wisdom didst appoint three hierarchies of Angels and didst set them in wondrous order over the highest heavens, and who didst apportion the elements of the world most wisely: do Thou, who art in truth the fountain of light and wisdom, deign to shed upon the darkness of my understanding the rays of Thine infinite brightness, and remove far from me the twofold darkness in which I was born, namely, sin and ignorance. Do Thou, who givest speech to the tongues of little children, instruct my tongue and pour into my lips the grace of Thy benediction. Give me keenness of apprehension, capacity for remembering, method and ease in learning, insight-in interpretation, and copious eloquence in speech. Instruct my beginning, direct my progress, and set Thy seal upon the finished work, Thou, who art true God and true Man, who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

O Salutaris Hostia

(By St. Thomas Aquinas)

Latin:
O salutaris Hostia,
Quae caeli pandis ostium,
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.

English:
O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heaven to man below,
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.

Tantum Ergo (from Pange Lingua, by St. Thomas Aquinas)

Latin:
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

English:
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

The Holy Rosary (Dominican Style)

Dominicans say the rosary following an ancient custom which differs slightly from the way most Catholics say it. They follow the medieval custom of beginning the Rosary like the Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary—for the Rosary is known as Mary’s prayer.

• The leader and group begin the Rosary with the sign of the cross.

• Then they lead and respond alternately the parts for the opening prayers. 

• The leader announces the title of each Mystery (and may give a short mediation), then is joined by one half the group in starting each of the prayers for the first, third and fifth mysteries.

• The second group responds to conclude prayers. 

• After the leader announces the titles of the second and fourth Mysteries, the second group leads, and the first responds. 

• At each concluding prayer, the leader and the whole group alternate the responses as indicated.

ALL:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

LEADER: Hail Mary, full of Grace the Lord is with thee.

ALL: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

LEADER:  O Lord open my lips.

ALL:  And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

LEADER:  O God, come to my assistance.

ALL:  O Lord, make haste to help me.

LEADER:  Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit...

ALL:  As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever.  Amen . Alleluia.
         (or in Lent:   Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.)

JOYFUL - Monday (and Sundays in Advent)
LUMINOUS - Thursday
SORROWFUL - Tuesday & Friday (and Sundays in Lent)
GLORIOUS - Wednesday& Saturday (Sundays in Easter and Ordinary Time)

THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES:
1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation
5. Finding of our Lord in the Temple  

THE FIVE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES:
1. Baptism of Jesus
2. The Wedding feast at Cana
3. Preaching of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Eucharist
 THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thoms
4. Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion
 THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES:
1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation
 

PRAYING OF ONE DECADE
ONE:  Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. The 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

TEN:  Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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

ONE:  Glory Be

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever.  Amen 
 

CONCLUDING PRAYERS

LEADER: Let us Pray.

ALL:  Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we 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!

LEADER:  Pray for us, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.

ALL:  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LEADER:  Let us pray. 

ALL:  O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

LEADER:  May the Divine Assistance remain always with us.

ALL:   And may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

LEADER: [If a Priest:] And may the peace and blessing of Almighty God, Father, + Son, and                           Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you forever.

                   [Otherwise:] And may Almighty God bless us, the Father and the Son and the Holy                       Spirit. Amen.

Basic Prayers Every Catholic Should Know

A Guide for the Faithful, with Latin and English Texts

As Catholics, especially those devoted to the Dominican tradition, prayer is at the heart of our spiritual life. The following is a curated list of essential Catholic prayers, with texts provided in both Latin and English, as used throughout the centuries in the Church’s liturgical and devotional life.

1. Sign of the Cross

Latin:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

English:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Our Father (Pater Noster)

Latin:
Pater noster, qui es in cælis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum.
Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
Et ne nos inducas in tentationem,
sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

English:
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.

3. Hail Mary (Ave Maria)

Latin:
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

English:
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.

4. Glory Be (Doxology)

Latin:
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English:
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.

5. Apostles’ Creed

Latin:
Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cæli et terræ.
Et in Iesum Christum, Fílium eius únicum, Dóminum nostrum,
qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Vírgine,
passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus;
descéndit ad ínferos; tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis;
ascéndit ad cælos, sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis;
inde ventúrus est iudicáre vivos et mórtuos.
Credo in Spíritum Sanctum,
sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam,
sanctórum communiónem,
remissiónem peccatórum,
cárnis resurrectiónem,
vitam ætérnam. Amen.

English:
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 rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there 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.

6. Act of Contrition (Traditional Form)

Latin:
Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me omnium meorum peccatorum,
eaque detestor, quia peccando, non solum pœnas a te iuste statutas promeritus sum,
sed præsertim quia offendi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super omnia diligaris.
Ideo firmiter propono, adiuvante gratia tua,
de cetero me non peccaturum peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum. Amen.

English:
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.