Prayers to Learn by Heart (See Appendix G in Vol. 2 of The Apostolate’s Family Catechism for more)

Recite a small number of prayers as appropriate during family prayer time and practice perhaps one of the prayers at mealtimes along with grace before or after the meal.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Lord’s Prayer (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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Holy Spirit Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit; fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. (Let us pray.) O God, Who taught the hearts of Your faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to have a taste for what is right and to rejoice always in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
6. Grace before Meals: Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
7. Grace after Meals: We thank Thee Almighty God for these and all Thy benefits we have received from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
8. Act of Contrition (either one of these)*
   1. O my God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, Whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us. In His Name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
   2. 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 are 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.
9. Angel of God: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here, ever this (day/night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

* If you have a child preparing for first confession in your home, recite the Act of Contrition at least once a day.