Grace Thompson
Prayer is a conversation with God, and Catholics are required to pray according to their station in life. Catholics fortunate enough to belong to a confraternity or secular institution are committed to extensive prayer time. For instance, members of the Third Order Dominicans or Secular Franciscans are vowed to praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The amount of time one should spend in prayer changes as one matures in faith and as one's life situation changes. For those just starting, 15 minutes of prayer a day is a reasonable goal, and one can gradually build up to 30 minutes a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Daily prayer requirements | Priests, brothers, deacons, and those entering religious life are required to recite the Liturgy of the Hours each day. |
| Rosary | A series of prayers repeated around the structure of a pair of Rosary beads. It includes the Apostle's Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. |
| Novenas | A nine-day series of prayers centred on a particular intention, often drawing people closer to God through a saint's intercession. |
| Prayer times | The Angelus is prayed at noon, 6 a.m., and 6 p.m. |
| Prayer forms | Prayer can take many forms, including religious reading, grace at meals, bowing at the mention of Jesus' name, and meditation. |
| Prayer benefits | Prayer fosters good habits, discipline, and moral equilibrium in the soul, according to Aristotle and Father Ripperger. |
| Prayer examples | Basic prayers include the Hail Mary, Our Father, Fatima Prayer, and Hail Holy Queen. |
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What You'll Learn
The Rosary
Our Lady's fifteen promises to those who pray the Rosary include receiving signal graces, special protection, and growing closer to God. Praying the Rosary daily is a challenge for many, but it is a powerful means of connecting with God and bringing about positive changes in one's life.
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Novenas
There are many different types of Novenas, each with their own specific prayers and intentions. Here are some examples:
Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Catholic faith teaches that the souls of the faithful departed must be entirely purified before entering eternal rest in Heaven. This novena is prayed for the souls of those in Purgatory, asking for their purification and eventual entry into Heaven.
Novena for Cancer
This novena is prayed for those affected by cancer, a deadly and physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging illness.
Novena for the Canonization of Fulton Sheen
This novena is prayed in conjunction with the Diocese of Peoria, calling for the swift canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
Novena for the Parish
The novena is dedicated to the importance of parish life in the Catholic Church, allowing individual members to access the sacraments and communal worship.
Novena for the Franciscans
The Franciscans are a religious order founded by St. Francis of Assisi, contributing significantly to the Catholic Church over the centuries. This novena honours their work and dedication.
St. Anne Novena
This novena is prayed for finding one's husband, starting on July 17th and ending on July 26th, the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne.
Holy Spirit Novena
The Holy Spirit Novena is prayed during the nine days leading up to Pentecost, focusing on powerful Pentecost prayers.
Sacred Heart Novena
Traditionally, this novena is prayed during the nine days leading up to the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which occurs 19 days after Pentecost. It was prayed daily by Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio).
Surrender Novena
The Surrender Novena is about letting go of personal desires and living according to God's will. It is often prayed when struggling with worries or doubts, entrusting them to the Lord.
St. Teresa of Calcutta's "Flying Novena"
When short on time, St. Teresa of Calcutta would pray this quick novena, consisting of 10 Memorares—an ancient prayer invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession.
54-Day Novena
Originating in 19th-century Naples, Italy, this novena came about after a young girl suffering from an incurable illness prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. The girl was miraculously healed and instructed to pray three novenas in petition and three in thanksgiving.
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Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours is prayed by priests, brothers, deacons, and those in formation to enter religious life. The prayers are said at various times of the day, including morning, midmorning, midday, midafternoon, and evening. The official psalm translation for the Hours is the New American Bible, and the prayers can be spoken in English.
There are several resources available to assist with praying the Liturgy of the Hours, including apps, printed volumes, and audio recordings. The DivineOffice.org app provides access to over 2000 Catholic prayers in four languages and has been well-rated by users. The Liturgy of the Hours can also be prayed using the Universalis apps and programs, which do not require an internet connection. Printed volumes, such as the Christian Prayer book, are also available for those who prefer a physical copy. Additionally, audio recordings of the Liturgy of the Hours are available, allowing for a sense of community with others praying at the same time.
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The Angelus
> The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
> And she conceived of 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, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
> 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.
The prayer then concludes with the following verse:
> 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.
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The Examen
To pray the Examen, one must first find a comfortable position and take a few deep breaths to calm their heart and mind. Then, they must acknowledge the intent of this prayer—to grow closer to God. One must then start by thanking God for the gifts of the day and anything else they are grateful for. They can then ask the Holy Spirit to help them see their day clearly and reflect on where they feel consolation and desolation in their daily lives.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics are required to pray according to their station in life. Prayer is a conversation with God and a way to grow closer to Him.
Start small. Even five minutes a day is enough to build a habit that will result in fertile soil for your spiritual tree to grow. If you can manage 15 minutes, pray for 15. If you can't manage 15 minutes, pray for 10, and so on.
The Rosary is a popular daily prayer tradition, which involves a series of prayers repeated around the structure of Rosary beads. The Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be are also common daily prayers.
Try to find a plan that works for you. You could read a passage from the Bible, especially the Gospels and the Book of Psalms, and ask God to open your heart to what He is telling you. You could also try praying the Rosary, or if that seems like a lot, start with just one decade.
Prayer can take many forms, including blessing and adoration, petition, intercession, praise, and thanksgiving. It can be private or communal.
