Daily Prayers

The Angelus is a traditional prayer of the Catholic Church that recalls the mystery of the Incarnation. It is customarily prayed three times a day — at 6:00 AM, at noon, and at 6:00 PM — usually at the ringing of the bell. It is a pause to lift the heart to God and honor the moment when the Angel announced to Mary the divine plan of salvation.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary...

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary...

V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary...

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. 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.

During the Easter Season (from Easter to Pentecost), the Angelus is replaced by the Regina Coeli.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia!
For He whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia!
Has risen as He said, alleluia!
Pray for us to God, alleluia!

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia!
R. For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia!

Let us pray: O God, who through the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, didst vouchsafe to give joy to the world, grant, we beseech Thee, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayed standing throughout the Easter Season, in place of the Angelus.

The Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours, is the official prayer of the Church that sanctifies the various hours of the day. Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Vespers (Evening Prayer) are the two central moments, called the "hinges" of the Office. The Psalms form the heart of this prayer, for the Church prays with the same words that Jesus used during His earthly life.

Lauds — Morning Prayer

Psalm 63 (excerpt)

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee;
my soul thirsteth for Thee,
my flesh longeth for Thee,
in a dry and weary land where no water is.

So have I looked upon Thee in the sanctuary,
to see Thy power and Thy glory.
For Thy lovingkindness is better than life:
my lips shall praise Thee.

Thus will I bless Thee while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Thy name.

Invocation: Lord, may this new day be consecrated to Thee. Guide my thoughts, my words, and my deeds, that all may be done for Thy glory. Amen.

Vespers — Evening Prayer

Psalm 141 (excerpt)

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense;
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips.
Incline not my heart to any evil thing,
nor to practise wicked works.

Invocation: Lord, as another day draws to a close, I offer Thee all that I have done and suffered. Purify my failings and strengthen my faith, that I may rest in peace under Thy protection. Amen.

My God, I adore Thee and I love Thee with all my heart.
I thank Thee for having created me, made me a Christian, and preserved me this night.
I offer Thee all my actions this day;
grant that they may all be according to Thy holy will
and for Thy greater glory.
Preserve me from sin and from all evil.
May Thy grace be always with me and with all my loved ones. Amen.

My God, I thank Thee for all the blessings I have received from Thee this day.
I beg Thy pardon for all the faults I have committed.
Protect me during this night
and deliver me from all danger.
May Thy grace be always with me
and with all who are dear to me.
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Amen.

Before the Meal

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

After the Meal

We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy benefits. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments,
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 sin no more
and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Lord, by the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ,
have mercy on me. Amen.

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