Traditional Catholic and Maronite prayers in one place, organized by tradition, need, season, and sacrament. Every entry names its source, translation, and when it is prayed.
Every prayer here is either a traditional text long used in the Church, Scripture quoted from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), or a brief cited reference to an official Church document such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church (cited by paragraph number rather than reproduced). We do not copy modern copyrighted prayer books or translations. Where a prayer is traditional and its English rendering varies between communities, we say so. If you hold rights questions about any entry, the source note under each prayer tells you exactly what it rests on.
Holy are You, O God. Holy are You, O Strong One. Holy are You, O Immortal One. Have mercy on us.
In Syriac tradition: Qadeeshat Aloho, Qadeeshat Hayeltono, Qadeeshat Lo Moyouto, etraham 'lain.
Source: ancient Trisagion hymn of the Syriac churches, prayed in the Maronite Qurbono (Divine Liturgy). Traditional; English renderings vary slightly between eparchies. Usage: sung or recited in the liturgy and in daily prayer, especially before the Gospel.
O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust for power and idle chatter. Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love. O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Source: attributed to Saint Ephrem the Syrian (4th c.), a doctor of the Church honored deeply in the Maronite tradition. Traditional English rendering. Usage: prayed daily during the Great Lent, often with prostrations.
"There came out from Him water and blood; Adam washed and lived and returned to Paradise." And the refrain: "Blessed is He Who has quickened the dead of Sheol by His Cross!"
Source: Saint Ephrem the Syrian, Nisibene Hymns (Death and Satan before the Cross), public-domain English translation in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. XIII (1898). Usage: meditation on the Cross, fitting in Lent and Eastertide.
I offer You, O Lord, this day: my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings. May they rise before You like incense, through the intercession of the Mother of God and all the saints. Keep me in Your grace, and let Your will be done in me. Amen.
Source: traditional morning offering as prayed in Maronite households; formula varies by family and parish. Usage: on waking, before the day's work.
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.
Source: Matthew 6:9-13; traditional liturgical English. Usage: the prayer Christ taught; begins every Rosary decade.
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.
Source: Luke 1:28, 1:42 with the traditional petition. Usage: the core Marian prayer of the Rosary.
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.
Source: traditional doxology. Usage: closes decades of the Rosary and many devotions.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Source: traditional, popularized by St Bernard of Clairvaux's tradition. Usage: in urgent need of Mary's intercession.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within Thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. From the malignant enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come unto Thee, that with Thy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Source: traditional, 14th century. Usage: classic thanksgiving after Holy Communion.
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. Amen.
Source: traditional form. Usage: in the Sacrament of Penance and in nightly examination of conscience.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: traditional invocation from the Pentecost liturgy. Usage: before study, decisions, and at Pentecost.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Source: Pope Leo XIII, 1884. Usage: for spiritual protection; often prayed after Mass.
Lord Jesus, You healed the sick who came to You in faith. Look on this illness with mercy. Give strength to the suffering, wisdom to those who care for them, and peace to those who wait. If it be Your will, restore health; in all things, keep us close to You. Amen.
Source: traditional intercessory form. See also the Saint Charbel healing prayers. Usage: for oneself or another, and before surgery.
"Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, Douay-Rheims)
Source: Scripture, public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner). Usage: read slowly in moments of worry; pair with one Hail Mary.
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit." (Psalm 33:19, Douay-Rheims) Lord, hold the one we have lost in Your light, and hold us in Your peace. Amen.
Source: Scripture, public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner); closing petition traditional. Usage: for the recently bereaved, and on anniversaries.
"Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 117:1, Douay-Rheims) Thank You, Lord, for this day and its gifts, known and unknown. Amen.
Source: Scripture, public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner); closing line traditional. Usage: morning or evening thanksgiving.
Come, Lord Jesus. Prepare our hearts as You prepared a dwelling in the Virgin's womb. Teach us to wait in hope, with Mary, for Your coming. Amen.
Source: traditional Advent aspiration (cf. Revelation 22:20). Season: the four weeks before Christmas. See also the Annunciation meditation.
Pray the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem (above) daily, and the Miserere: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity." (Psalm 50:3, Douay-Rheims)
Source: St Ephrem prayer (traditional); Psalm 50 from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible. Season: Lent, especially weekdays.
Pray the Saint Charbel intercession prayer and, if you can, the nine-day novena leading to July 24. The feast falls on the third Sunday of July in the Maronite liturgical calendar, observed widely on July 24.
Source: Maronite liturgical calendar. Usage: novena July 15-23; feast day Mass or prayer on July 24.
"Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will." (Luke 2:14, Douay-Rheims) In the Maronite tradition, the Christmas season extends through Epiphany (Denho) on January 6.
Source: Luke 2:14, public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision); Maronite liturgical calendar. Season: December 25 - January 6.
Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed. (cf. Matthew 8:8, prayed at every Mass)
Source: the liturgy of the Mass, from the centurion's words in Matthew 8:8. Usage: immediately before receiving.
Pray the Anima Christi (above), the Church's classic thanksgiving after Communion.
Source: traditional, 14th century. Usage: silent thanksgiving after receiving.
Come, Holy Spirit (above), then examine your conscience quietly and pray the Act of Contrition (above) before entering the Sacrament of Penance.
Source: traditional practice. The Catechism treats contrition and confession at CCC 1451-1498. Usage: preparation for the sacrament.
"The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment: he hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me."
Source: Psalm 22 (23 in most modern Bibles), public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision). Usage: in uncertainty, illness, and at funerals.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Source: Matthew 5:3-5, public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision). Usage: lectio divina - read slowly, rest on one line.
Intercession prayers, a nine-day novena framework, and daily invocations through Saint Charbel.
A visual guide to the beads, the mysteries, and the order of prayer.
Pray each mystery with guided text, voice, and a hands-free timer.
Daily practices inspired by Saint Charbel's silence, fasting, and Eucharistic devotion.