Prayer Life
Welcome to the St. Michael's RC Primary School and Nursery Prayers Page
At St. Michael's RC Primary School and Nursery, we are a close-knit Catholic family of faith dedicated to following the teachings of Christ. Our school community is built on a foundation of shared values that guide us in our journey of faith and education. These values encompass Church, Independence, Resilience, Caring, Learning, and Enjoyment.
Our commitment to these values shapes our mission to create an environment where every member of our school community is encouraged to embrace these principles. As we strive to nurture each individual, we aim to instil in them the confidence to reach their full potential, providing them with the best foundation for their place in an ever-changing world.
Prayer is an integral part of our shared faith, and with great pleasure, we invite you to explore this section of our website dedicated to prayers. These prayers are spoken within our school's walls and can be shared and cherished in your own home. They serve as a source of inspiration, comfort, and guidance for all aspects of life.
In this sacred digital space, we have gathered prayers reflecting our commitment to faith and our core values. These prayers are a testament to our unity as a community and our shared dedication to the teachings of Christ.
Please feel free to use these prayers as a family at home.
These are the prayers we use each day; please support your child first to memorise these, and, in doing so, they will gradually be understood in-depth, understanding that each prayer draws the children into a closer relationship with Jesus.
It is important that whilst at St Michael's School, pupils encounter a wide range of prayers and should have familiarity with common text, but also appreciate that there are many ways of praying.
Below is a guide of some of the prayers the children will focus on throughout their school life.
Prayers that will be focused on at St Michael's RC Primary School
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The sign of the cross is both an action and a statement of faith.
Glory be to the Father
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
The doxology is a short expression of praise of the Trinity.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen
The Apostles’ Creed serves as a concise summary of Catholics’ beliefs and the core aspects of the Scripture and God’s teachings.
Act of Contrition
O my God,
because you are so good,
I am very sorry that I have sinned against you,
and with the help of your grace
I will not sin again.
To express your “contrition” is to share your sorrow or remorse; the Act of Contrition is an apologetic prayer.
Angel of God
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen
The prayer invokes the protection of a guardian angel
Come, Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And You shall renew the face of the earth.
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.
The prayer is asking God to send the Holy Spirit to give us a new heart. This is different from just a fresh start; it is asking for a true transformation of our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is asking God to create us as his people.
The Rosary
Watch the video for help- How to Pray the Rosary
The full Rosary is made up of four sets of five mysteries. The meditation on each mystery is accompanied by the praying of the Lord’s Prayer, followed by ten ‘Hail Mary’s and one ‘Glory be...’
The Joyful Mysteries
Recited (Monday and Saturday)
The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)
The Nativity (Luke 2:1-7)
The Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22-35)
The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
The Mysteries of Light
Recited (Thursday)
The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17)
The Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
The Proclamation of the Kingdom, with the call to Conversion (Mark 1:14-15;2:3-12)
The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36)
The Institution of the Eucharist (Matthew 26:26-29)
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Recited (Tuesday and Friday)
The Agony in the Garden (Mark 14:32-42)
The Scourging of the Pillar (Matthew 27:15-26)
The crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
The Carrying of the Cross (John 19:15-17; Luke 23:27-32)
The Crucifixion (Luke 23:33-38, 44-46)
The Glorious Mysteries
Recited (Wednesday and Sunday)
The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8)
The Ascension (Acts 1:6-11)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-12)
The Assumption (1Thessalonians 4:13-19)
The Coronation of Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth (Revelation 12:1;14:1-5; Isaiah 6:1-3)
The Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his handmaid in her lowliness;
for behold, from this day forward,
all generations will call me blessed.
For the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
His mercy is from age to age
for those who fear him.
He has made known the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit of heart.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted those who are lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
mindful of his mercy,
even as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.
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
Mary's song of praise was first sung to her cousin, Elizabeth.
Act of Faith
My God, I believe in you
and all that your Church teaches,
because you have said it,
and your word is true.
Act of Hope
My God, I hope in you,
for grace and for glory,
because of your promises,
your mercy and your power.
Act of Love
My God, because you are so good,
I love you with all my heart,
and for your sake,
I love your neighbour as myself.
The Benedictus
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel:
for He has visited his people and redeemed them;
He has raised up for us a horn of salvation
In the house of David his servant,
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy ones,
his prophets from ages past.
To grant salvation from our foes,
and from the hands of all who hate us,
showing mercy to our fathers,
remembering his holy covenant;
the oath he swore to Abraham our father,
To grant that freed from the hand of our foes,
we may serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness
all the days of our life.
As you, little child, we be called
the Prophet the Most High.
for you will go before the Lord
to make ready his ways:
to grant knowledge of salvation to his people
by the forgiveness of their sins;
Through the tender mercy of our God,
the Dawn from on high will visit us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness,
and those in the shadow of death;
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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.
The Canticle of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, is taken from Luke's Gospel
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary……..
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:
R. Be it done to me according to your word.
Hail Mary……..
V. And the Word was made flesh:
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary……..
V. Pray for us O holy Mother of God.
R. That we made be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Hail Mary……..
Let us pray;
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,
thy grace into our hearts,
that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, your Son,
was made known by the message of an angel,
may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection,
through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Angelus is traditionally said three times per day: at 6am, 12 noon, and 6pm
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
hail, 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 vale 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.
The Salve Regina is one of the Marian Anthems sung at Night Prayer
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored they help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by the 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 World Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
The Memorare is a Catholic prayer seeking the intercession and help of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is appropriate to pray at any time, but especially appropriate during times of difficulty or distress.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen
The prayer for Eternal Rest is a powerful tool that can aid the souls of the faithful departed on their journey to Heaven.