Note: This page is a work in progress. We are actively adding links to each prayer. Thank you for your patience as we continue to expand this prayer library.

 

What Prayer Really Is—and Why It Matters

This page includes an index of a collection of traditional Catholic prayers and devotions, along with a short explanation of what prayer truly is. Many people confuse prayer with worship—but in Catholic teaching, they’re not the same. Below, you’ll find a brief explanation that clarifies the difference and helps deepen your understanding of Catholic prayer life.

What Is Prayer?

In Catholic teaching, prayer means talking to someone in the spiritual realm, especially God.

We pray by asking for help, giving thanks, praising God, repenting of our sins, or quietly reflecting with Him.

When Catholics say, “We pray to Mary” or “We prayed to St. Joseph,” we’re not worshiping them—we’re asking for their prayers, like you’d ask a friend to pray for you. In fact, "to pray" originally meant "to ask," as in old English: “I pray thee, help me.”

We believe the saints in heaven are alive in Christ and can pray for us, just like believers on earth. That’s intercession—not worship.

Worship vs. Prayer: Not the Same Thing

In Catholic teaching, prayer and worship are not the same—and it’s important to understand the difference.

Prayer means speaking to someone in heaven. Catholics pray directly to God, but we also ask saints and angels to pray for us—just like asking a friend on earth to pray for you. This is called intercession, not worship.

But isn’t asking saints to pray for you just necromancy (summoning the dead)?

No. Necromancy is FORBIDDEN. The saints are ALIVE in Christ (Mark 12:27). Asking them to pray isn’t calling on the dead—it’s talking to the living members of the Body of Christ who are closer to God than we are.

Worship is something entirely different. It is the highest form of honor, offered to God alone—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Worship involves adoration, sacrifice, and total devotion. For Catholics, the Mass is the central act of worship.

So, while we pray to God and also ask saints to pray for us, we worship only God. Prayer can be directed to both, but worship belongs to Him alone.

The Bible supports this distinction. James 5:16 says, “Pray for one another,” showing the value of intercession. But in Matthew 4:10, Jesus says, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only.”

Catholics honor the saints, especially Mary, but we never worship them. Worship is for God—and God alone.

Catholics Worship God Alone

Worship (called latria in theology) means adoring God as Creator, Savior, and Lord. That is reserved for God alone.

• We worship at Mass, especially during the Eucharist.
• We adore Jesus in prayer and song.
• We submit our lives to God in obedience and trust.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37

Catholics Honor Saints—but Don’t Worship Them

When we say we “pray to” Mary or the saints, we don’t mean we’re worshiping them. We’re asking them to pray for us, like you might ask a godly friend to pray on your behalf.

This is called veneration—or dulia. It’s honor, not worship.

Mary, as the mother of Jesus, holds a special place and receives hyperdulia—the highest human honor—but she is still a creature, not the Creator.

But What About Statues, Candles, and Kneeling?

Good question.

Some people see a Catholic kneeling before a statue and assume it’s idol worship. But here’s the truth:

The statue isn’t being worshiped.  It’s just a visual reminder—like a family photo.

Kneeling is a posture of prayer, not a sign of worship unless it’s directed to God.

Candles remind us of the light of Christ and the prayers we offer.

In the Old Testament, God commanded statues of angels to be placed in the Temple (Exodus 25:18–22). So having holy images isn’t wrong—it’s about who we honor and how.

Bottom Line

Prayer is a conversation. Worship is adoration.
We pray to God directly. And we also ask the saints to pray with us and for us.
But we worship God alone—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

If you're unsure, ask this:
Am I treating this person or object like God?
If the answer is no, then it’s not worship.

Final Thought

Catholics believe the Church is a family—on earth and in heaven.
And just like in any good family, we help one another, pray for one another, and honor those who have gone before us.

But we only worship the One who made us all.

“And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God.” – Revelation 8:4

Core Catholic Prayers

Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Apostles' Creed
Nicene Creed
Act of Contrition
Act of Spiritual Communion
Prayer Before Holy Communion
Prayer After Holy Communion
Prayer Before Confession
Prayer After Confession

 

Rosary and Devotional Prayers

How to Pray the Rosary
Mysteries of the Rosary
Hail Mary Prayer
The Angelus
The Memorare
The Fatima Prayer
The Apostles’ Creed

 

Prayers to the Sacred Heart, Jesus, and the Trinity

Anima Christi
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayer to the Most Holy Redeemer
Prayer to Jesus Christ Crucified
Prayer to the Trinity
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Te Deum: We Praise You
Suscipe
The Sweetness of Divine Love
The Universal Prayer

 

Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit
Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

 

Marian Prayers

Hail, Holy Queen
Sub Tuum Praesidium
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto)
Tota Pulchra Es
Totus Tuus
Salve Regina: Hail, Holy Queen
Regina Caeli: Queen of Heaven
You Are Fair, O Mary
To the Immaculate Virgin
Prayer to Mary Immaculate
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel
Prayer to Our Lady, Help of Christians
Prayer to Our Lady of Humility
Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
Prayer to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows
Prayer to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary
Sancta Maria, Succurre Miseris

 

Prayers for Mass, Sacraments, and the Eucharist

Preparation for Holy Communion
Prayer Before Meditation
Prayer After Meditation
Visit to the Blessed Sacrament Before Meditation
Visit to the Blessed Sacrament
Priest’s Statement of Intention to Offer the Holy Mass
Priest’s Prayer Before Hearing Confessions
Priest’s Prayer After Hearing Confessions
A Priest’s Commendation Before Mass

 

Litanies, Psalms, Chaplets, and Sequences

Divine Mercy Chaplet
Litany of the Saints
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loreto)
Seven Penitential Psalms
Sequence for the Solemnity of Pentecost
Psalm 51: Miserere
Retribuere Dignare, Domine

 

Prayers for Special Needs and Virtues

Novena to St. Jude for Desperate Cases
Prayers for Peace
Prayer for the Sick
Prayer for Lost Things
Prayer for the Faithful Departed
Prayer for a Happy Death
Prayer to Mary for Holy Vocations
Prayers for Priests
A Priest's Prayer for Priests
Prayer for a Bishop
Prayer for a Parish
Prayer for a Family
Prayer for a Priestly Heart
Prayer for the Church and Civil Authorities
Prayer for the Church
Prayer for the Pope
Prayer for the Holy Father
Prayer for the Missions
Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy
Prayer for Generosity
Prayer for Guidance
Prayer for Insight
Prayer for Fidelity to God
Prayer for Leading a Holy Life
Prayer for One’s Enemies
Prayer for One’s Vocation in Life
Prayer for the Respect of Human Life
Prayer for Those We Love
Prayer for the Marian Year (1987–1988)
Prayer for Financial Help (St. Jude)
Prayer to Keep the Presence of God
Prayer for Divine Assistance
Prayer for Complete Trust in God
Prayer for Self-Abandonment
Prayer of Gratitude
Prayer of Firm Purpose of Amendment
Prayer of Resolution
Prayer of Self-Dedication to Jesus Christ

 

Reflections, Meditations, and Hymns

Serenity Prayer
The Ship of Life
The Seven Penitential Psalms
The Sweetness of Divine Love
Sonnet to Our Lord on the Cross
Suffering as Discipline
Searching for God
The Divine Tutor
Serpent and Dove
A Seed of Love
Reflecting Your Brightness
Who Will Help Me?
You Were in Me
Saturated in His Love

 

Prayers to Saints

St. Joseph

Prayer to St. Joseph
Prayer to St. Joseph for a Happy Death

St. Jude Thaddeus

Novena to St. Jude
Prayer to St. Jude
Prayer to St. Jude for Urgent Financial Help
Prayer to St. Jude for Financial Help

St. Anthony

Prayer to St. Anthony

St. Michael the Archangel

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Gerard Majella

Prayer to St. Gerard Majella

St. John Bosco

Prayer to St. John Bosco

St. John Neumann

Prayer to St. John Neumann

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Prayer to St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe

St. Lucy

Prayer to St. Lucy

St. Monica

Prayer to St. Monica

St. Patrick

St. Patrick’s Breastplate

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Prayer to St. Frances Cabrini

St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton

Prayer to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. John Vianney

Prayer to St. John Vianney

St. Catherine of Siena

Prayer to St. Catherine of Siena

St. Charles Borromeo

Prayer to St. Charles Borromeo

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Prayer to St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

St. Therese of Lisieux

Prayer to St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Philip Neri

Prayer to St. Philip Neri

Prayers Written by Saints

St. Thomas Aquinas

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Augustine

Prayer of St. Augustine

St. Teresa of Avila

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

St. John Chrysostom

Prayer of St. John Chrysostom

St. Bonaventure

Prayer of St. Bonaventure

St. Basil the Great

Prayer of St. Basil the Great

St. Ignatius of Loyola

Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Francis de Sales

Be at Peace by St. Francis de Sales

St. Jane de Chantal

Prayer of St. Jane de Chantal

St. John de Brebeuf

Prayer of St. John de Brebeuf

St. Richard of Chichester

Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester

St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort

Prayer of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

St. Ephrem the Syrian

Prayer of St. Ephrem

St. Edmund of Abingdon

Prayer of St. Edmund of Abingdon

St. William of St. Thierry

Prayer of St. William of St. Thierry

St. Thomas à Kempis

Prayer of St. Thomas à Kempis (not canonized but often treated as a saint in devotions)

St. John Henry Newman

Prayers and Hymns by John Henry Newman

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Prayers of Mother Teresa of Calcutta