Prayers

The prayer to one’s guardian angel — usually the first prayer a Catholic child is taught after the Hail Mary, and one many people go on praying all their lives.

The prayer to one’s guardian angel — usually the first prayer a Catholic child is taught after the Hail Mary, and one many people go on praying all their lives.

Composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and prayed after Mass for most of the following century. Asked for when something needs to be defended rather than merely endured.

Also from Leo XIII, and traditionally prayed through March and in the month of October. Joseph is asked for as the patron of workers, of families, and of a good death.

The best known prayer attributed to St. Francis, though it first appears in print in 1912. It asks not to be consoled, understood or loved — which is why it is harder to mean than to say.

The prayer people reach for when something is lost. Anthony is invoked for lost objects, but the tradition applies it just as readily to lost faith and lost people.

Nine lines found written in St. Teresa of Ávila’s breviary after her death. The shortest useful answer in the tradition to being afraid.

A novena prayer asking St. Joseph to intercede for one particular request and to be a father to the one who prays. It is traditionally made on the nine days before his solemnity on March 19 (March 10–18), though it can be made at any time of year.

A Jesuit novena to St. Francis Xavier, traditionally made from March 4 to March 12, the anniversary of his canonization in 1622. It can also be made before his feast on December 3 (November 24 to December 2).

A novena prayer to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, asking for faith, love without limit and one particular favor. It is often made from September 22 to 30, ending on the eve of her feast on October 1.

Nine lines found written in St. Teresa of Ávila’s breviary after her death. The shortest useful answer in the tradition to being afraid.

A novena prayer asking St. Joseph to intercede for one particular request and to be a father to the one who prays. It is traditionally made on the nine days before his solemnity on March 19 (March 10–18), though it can be made at any time of year.

A Jesuit novena to St. Francis Xavier, traditionally made from March 4 to March 12, the anniversary of his canonization in 1622. It can also be made before his feast on December 3 (November 24 to December 2).

A novena prayer to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, asking for faith, love without limit and one particular favor. It is often made from September 22 to 30, ending on the eve of her feast on October 1.