Catholic Prayers and devotionals

[JohnnyReb]

I want to understand how Catholics view prayer. As a former Pentecostal, I often would pray spontaneously, directly to God, just carrying my burdens to him. I am sure Catholics pray this way too as all Christians do.

I know that Catholics believe in the communion of the saints, and pray the rosary. I want to start doing these things. Its part of what makes Catholicism so beautiful. How do I get started with these things?

My Catholic aunt always prays before meals and does the sign of the cross. Is there a specific prayer that should be said? What is the proper way to do the sign of the cross (I want to do it properly)

I am very interested in any other Catholic devotionals and prayer, especially stuff thats good for someone who is in the process of converting.

Thanks

 

[dawgfan]

I am very interested in any other Catholic devotionals and prayer, especially stuff thats good for someone who is in the process of converting.

Thanks

I like to use alot of the prayers in the Pieta Prayer Book
olrl.org/pray/pieta/

 

[pippin]

The Sign of the Cross:

(Using the Right Hand)
(touching forhead) In the Name of the Father
(touching the chest) and of the Son
(touching the left shoulder) and of the Holy
(touching the right shoulder) Spirit
(bringing hands together) Amen.

Traditional Prayer before Meals:

Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts
which we are about to recieve from thy bounty,
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

Prayer after meals:

We give Thee thanks, O Almighty God, for all thy mercies. Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

 

[water]

I like to use alot of the prayers in the Pieta Prayer Book
olrl.org/pray/pieta/

This is the favorite Prayer Book that many have. One can get it at a local Catholic bookstore for about $5.00

Johnny, here are some links about the meaning of making the sign of Cross.

scborromeo.org/papers/signcros.PDF
ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/ZSIGNCRO.HTM

 

[JohnnyReb]

Thanks for the response, all of you.

 

[Rawb]

As for praying to the saints, you can talk to them just like you do to God, but instead of asking for specific things you ask them to pray for your requests. Like say for example your family pet goes missing and it’s upsetting your young son. You could pray to St.Francis of Assisi that he would pray that your dog would be found.

Sometimes people cut out the asking the Saint to pray and just ask for their request - in that case they’re still really asking the saint to pray for it, they just know that’s what they’re asking so they don’t bother saying it.