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.