PRAYER
Prayer is one of the most important aspects of faith. Without prayer, we are unable to intimately know the person of God, and to grow in the depth of the interior life. More than simply talking to God, prayer helps us to orient our thoughts, words, and actions on the Almighty and eternity. See the sections below for guidance in different types of prayer.
This section contains many prayers that can be prayed on a daily basis for any situation in life, and can help faithful grow in virtue.
- Act of Faith
- Act of Hope
- Act of Charity
- Prayer Before Work- Come, Holy Spirit
- Prayer After Work- We Fly to Thy Patronage
- Five Finger Prayer
- Golden Arrow
- Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
- Miracle Prayer
- Do Catholics Worship Mary?
- Why Pray the Rosary?
- How to Pray the Rosary
Prayed in the same style as the Rosary, there are various chaplets, or collections of prayer, with various other devotions and subjects. See a few examples below.
Devotions are practices of honor and prayer, given for various intentions in the Church, that provide a space to meditate on the beauty and mystery of Christ and His Church. Devotions are extremely pious practices that orient us towards God, and help prepare our souls to attain heaven. Below are some common devotions.
A consecration is a great way to grow in relationship and devotion with Our Lord through a saint who lived a life fully and wholly aligned with Christ’s.
- Marian Consecration
- What is a Marian Consecration?
- How do I Consecrate Myself?
- St. Joseph Consecration
A novena is a prayer for a specific purpose or devotion to be prayed over the course of 9 days. Some novenas are longer, and are usually prayed in some multiple of 3 or 9 days. While novenas are usually prayed so that the first day after the novena is completed is the feast day of the saint whose intercession was sought, they can be prayed at any time. Click here to view a year’s calendar of novenas and explore all novenas. Below are some novenas to saints popular with students in Catholic Hoos.
- St. Gemma Galgani
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- St. Monica
- St. John of the Cross
- St. John Paul II
- Novena of the Miraculous Medal
- St. Ann (Mother of Mary)
A daily examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern His direction for us. These practices help us to grow closer to God by seeing Him in our lives, reflecting on our thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day, and by growing in virtue and rooting out sin.
A litany is a prayer of several invocations prayed for a purpose or intention. These prayers glorify God, and help us to be grateful and thankful for all His work in our lives. Litanies can be prayed to Our Lord and His various devotions, our lady and her various devotions, and the saints. Explore more litanies here. Below are common and popular examples.
- Litany of the Saints
- Litany of the Sacred Heart
- Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Litany of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows
- Litany of the Holy Face
- Litany of the Precious Blood
- Litany of Saint Joseph
- Litany of the Holy Name
- Litany of Humility
- Litany of Trust
If you’re looking to find more prayer resources or want to learn more about prayer in Catholic Hoos, shoot an email to our 2023 Faith Formation Chair, Emma Fuentes, at [email protected].
Looking to learn more or have questions about prayer? Want guidance on how to start praying and establish a routine? Whether you’re new to prayer and still figuring it out, or have been cultivating a prayer life for several years, contact any one of our FOCUS missionaries. They are happy to meet up over coffee, food, or drinks and chat with you wherever you are in your faith and life.
SACRAMENTS
The Eucharist (Mass):
Mass is offered multiple times a day at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, located right next off of Grounds past O-Hill Dining Hall at 401 Alderman Road. Whether you are new to the Catholic Mass, trying it out, or returning, you are welcome here!
New to Catholic Mass? Returning to the Mass? These guides will help you prepare to experience the place where heaven meets earth.
To receive Our Lord well and to be thankful for His physical presence and our ability to receive Him in the sacrament of the Eucharist during Communion, we should pray to prepare and give thanks. These prayer will help you do both.
- Anima Christi
- Jesus Prayer
- Domine non sum dignus
- Divine Praises
- St. Thomas Aquinas Post-Communion Prayer
- St. Gemma Galgani Post-Communion Prayer
Spiritual Communion:
When you can’t physically receive Our Lord in the Eucharist, either at Mass by not being in a state of grace, or having not fasted for at least 1 hour, or when you are anywhere else, pray a spiritual communion to unite yourself to Christ.
Confession:
The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) is God’s gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Confession times are available multiple times throughout the week and by request.
Do you desire to return to Confession? Do you want to know more about the Sacrament of Confession (Penance)? See the links below to learn more.
The act of contrition is a prayer you can pray to express sorrow for your sins and a desire to orient your life more to God. This prayer, though used in the Sacrament of Penance, can be used at any time for any reason!
When going to confession, one should be prepared to tell the priest their sins. This is best done by preparing ahead of time. The documents below are meant to help you examine your life and make a thorough confession.
- C-P-R Examination
- Examination of Conscience for College Students
- Examination of Conscience with Mortal & Venial Sins
- A Detailed Examination of Conscience
Adoration:
Adoration is spending time in the presence of the Jesus in the exposed Eucharist. It is a time of silent prayer, contemplation, and rest. Adoration is offered daily at STA. Click here to see the Adoration times offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
If you’re looking for more information on the sacraments, have questions about a particular practice or sacrament of the Catholic Church, or just looking for a buddy to sit with at Mass, please contact any one of our FOCUS missionaries. They are happy to grab coffee or drinks with you, chat, and meet you wherever you are in your faith or life.