Essential Catholic Prayers and Commandments

Hail Mary Prayer

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.

Glory Be Prayer

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.

Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

The Ten Commandments

The Commandments of God's Law are ten:

1. First, you shall love the Lord your God above all things.
2. Second, you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Third, remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
4. Fourth, honor your father and your mother.
5. Fifth, you shall not kill.
6. Sixth, you shall not commit adultery.
7. Seventh, you shall not steal.
8. Eighth, you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. Ninth, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. Tenth, you shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

Act of Contrition Prayer

My Lord, Jesus Christ, God and true Man, my Creator, Father, and Redeemer, because You are who You are, infinite goodness, and because I love You above all things, it grieves me with all my heart to have offended You. I also grieve because You can punish me with the pains of hell. Encouraged by Your divine grace, I firmly resolve never to sin again, to confess, and to perform the penance imposed upon me. Amen.

Steps for a Good Confession

To make a good confession, I must:

1. Examination of Conscience: Remember the sins I have committed.
2. Sorrow for Sin: Feel regret for what I have done.
3. Purpose of Amendment: Strongly desire not to sin again.
4. Confess Sins to the Priest: Tell my sins to the priest.
5. Perform Penance: Complete the penance the priest gives me.

While the priest absolves me, I should pray with all my heart, making a sincere act of contrition.

Jesus' New Commandment

Jesus said: "A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you. By this all will know that you are my disciples."