3 Prayers Catholics Need to Memorize (but Don't)

Fr. Mark-Mary has 3 prayers that he has found are vital to memorize. (Spoiler: we're not talking about the Hail Mary or the Our Father here.)

Why memorize these prayers? What's wrong with having it on your phone, or seeking out printed prayers in church? Basic prayer memorization is a beautiful part of Catholic formation, and having these prayers written on your heart truly change you.

00:00 3 Prayers to Memorize
00:17 The Act of Contrition
03:41 Psalm 51
04:20 The Magnificat of Mary

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[AscensionPresents]

What other prayers would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below! 🙏

[JackFalltrades]

People _should_ be praying the Act of Contrition more often than just for Confession. They should pray it every night before going to bed. And it's a nice habit to pray it if you are conscious of committing a sin, e.g. Cursing another driver for cutting you off!

[KoiPondPeppy]

Yes, I pray the Act of Contrition every night sincerely in case I offended God at all that day. Always looking for a beautiful new prayer so Psalm 51 and The Magnificat of Mary will be my new goals.

[WashingtonDC]

Unfortunately, I am one of those Catholics who have not memorized the Act Of Contrition. I went to confession and the Priest told me to say the Act Of Contrition and my replied was I don't know I have to read it. So, the Priest said it for me and I had to repeat it after him. A month ago I went to confession and the Priest told me to say the Act Of Contrition and I had to say that I have not memorized it yet. For some reason I haven't been able to memorize it. Thank you Father Mark Mary. Deo gratia.

[whocares]

Spiritual communion prayer when passing a church
Eternal rest prayer when passing a cemetery
Psalm 130 for the souls in purgatory
Those are most frequently prayed in my daily life

[christinebutler]

When I was a kid, we had to learn the Act of Contrition before First Confession and First Communion.

[colleen]

I do have the Act of Contrition memorized, and I am halfway through memorizing the Magnificat, actually- this surprised me, being only 13.
Thanks again for another video!!

[TrixieCalhoun]

I went to Catholic school and had to memorize The Act of Contrition. I also say it before I receive the Eucharist, which helps me feel more prepared.

[elvismawhinney]

This is CRAZY!!!! I have been watching Muslim YouTube videos but out of the blue I got a reply from a comment I made three years ago on this channel. That then brought me to this video and I have never heard of the act of contrition before, I mean it’s clearly a sign or calling!!! My mind is blown!!!! I’m not even catholic.

Pray for me. Peace from Ireland 🇮🇪 ✌🏼

[ericdale]

I converted into the Church a few years ago but this year I have been making a much greater effort to practice the faith seriously. Your videos show me that I have much more to learn. God willing, I will continue to deepen my faith and practice in the Church.

[Ryan-zvxw]

This nice man is so young! Old people like myself know the act, but under pressure we will feel anxious about getting the words right. When priests started putting a laminated copy next to the kneeler I was so grateful! People know it, but it feels like a pop quiz to have to say it at the end of confession and it's actually distracting from the sacrament when you are afraid you're going to fail the quiz. There are also several *slightly* different versions so it can hang you up when you are saying it out loud. I almost always start off saying it but then grab that little card like it's a life raft at about the "having offended thee" .

[monicadriscoll]

I used to have it memorized, but there's many things I have forgotten... fun getting older 😊

[ccrmag]

I confessed to bishop Scott McCaig recently and when he asked me for act of contrition and I was mortified I didn’t know it by memory. He didn’t make me feel that way but I knew deeply I should have known it.

[Marla]

I am 68 and though the Church changed 1000% due to Vatican II, in being sent to Catholic grade school ages 5-14 so squeezed in under the wire and experienced incredible Catholic faith formation, for which I am so so grateful. We had to memorize all these prayers plus the creed. They might be dusty but they are “in there”. TY Father for your lovely videos!

[theclapaolini]

Never too late memorize our catholic prayers get in the loop.
Yes ACT OF CONTRITION IS SO CONSOLING.
sharing this to your friends.
God bless.

[danielyoung]

I found it on the phone app and am memorizing it for Lent. Psalm 51 l pray Fridays and l’ve got the Magnificat covered.

[abbyski]

I went to confession earlier this week at my local church- there's usually little pamphlets with the Act of Contrition are in the confessional- but that day there wasn't! I totally fumbled saying it at the end.There's a shorter "Prayer of Sorrow" taped up on the screen but it's very brief and childish, but I had to go with that. It made me resolve to actually memorize the Act of Contrition in my mind and heart, so I don't have to lean on a written copy. And maybe buy a giant stack of prayer cards with the traditional prayer on it to leave in the confessional.

[KeyboardSourceError]

This reminds me of a time when I had trouble reciting the Apostles/Nicene Creed during mass or rosary. To this day, I still get both mixed up, but I think the importance here is to not memorize the words in a prayer but to remember the significance of the prayer through each word. With each line of prayer that comes from my mouth, I internally affirm that it also pours forth from my heart. I'm also at fault for seeing others as less for not memorizing a prayer to the T, but my advice is to be patient with yourself, our brothers, and sisters. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit that guides us in our prayers.

[susancuenca]

When i was in RCRA, we never went through those 3 prayers. Now I know and I'm going to start learning and memorize the prayer. Ive been doing Our Father, Hail Mary and a Glory be before I go to sleep. There is still a lot to learn! Thank you!

[homethatilove]

I LOVE the Canticle of Mary in sung chant especially in Latin 🤍