12 Catholic Prayers Kids Should Know Before Their First Communion
I have wanted to share these Catholic prayers for First Communion preparation for a couple of months now. I am finally publishing today when we celebrate World Prayer Day, as luck would have it. World Prayer Day is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March.
Next week, our son will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Confession), and later in May, he will receive his First Holy Communion. He’s been preparing for these two Sacraments for the last 18 months at our Parish, attending Catechism classes. As these special days draw closer, there are a few prayers he needs to know for both occasions. I have designed a printable set of 12 prayers for First Holy Communion preparation, and you can download them for free.
There’s also a new, paid version (without watermarks) available HERE, or click the button below for details. These newly designed cards feature beautiful watercolor florals.
Your purchase supports this site, so I can keep this content free!
These cards will help your Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) or Catechism group. Print the PDF file on white cardstock and cut along the borders. The cards measure 3 x 4.5 inches and can be laminated to last longer. Save them in a box, or carry them in your purse or pocket.
Commercial Use / Mass Distribution
Please note that this file is for personal use only, and you can only print it a maximum of five times. Commercial Licenses are available below.
Commercial Use – Please Read
These prayer cards are free for your personal use only. Due to the high volume of requests I have received to grant permission to print the file more than five (5) times, I have created a commercial license.
If you want to use these free cards for commercial purposes, please purchase a license below. Thank you in advance for your support!
1. Sign of The Cross
The Sign of the Cross is a Catholic ritual blessing oneself by tracing a cross in the body with the right hand. The Sign is accompanied by the spoken or mental recitation of the trinitarian formula.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
2. The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
The Lord’s Prayer, also known as Our Father, is the prayer Jesus taught his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount. According to the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, this is how Jesus taught us to pray:
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
3. Hail Mary (Ave Maria)
The Hail Mary is also commonly known as the Ave Maria. This traditional Roman Catholic prayer asks for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is the basis of the Rosary and the Angelus prayers.
Hail Mary, full of Grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
4. Glory Be to The Father
The Glory Be To The Father prayer captures the essence of our Christian faith. God is three persons; The Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each one of these is to be equally adored and venerated. The Glory Be to The Father reveals God as everlasting. He was here before; He is here and now and will always be. He is the beginning and the end.
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.
5. Act of Contrition
The Act of Contrition plays an important role in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is prayed by the repentant after the confession of sins to a priest, who then gives the penitent absolution. It is also customarily said, especially before going to bed at night.
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good, I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
6. Prayer to The Guardian Angel
The Prayer to the Guardian Angel is dear to my heart. It’s a short prayer asking God’s angel for protection. This is a prayer that kids generally pray in the morning before starting their day and at night before going to bed.
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day/night be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
7. Morning Prayer
The Morning Prayer is a beautiful Catholic prayer offering our day, thoughts, words, and actions to God.
God, our Father, I offer you today
all that I think, and do, and say.
I offer it with what was done
on earth by Jesus Christ, your Son.
Amen.
8. Act of Consecration to Mary
The Act of Consecration to Mary is a Catholic prayer honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. We Catholics venerate Mary as our Holy Mother; as she accepted becoming the Mother of God, she also becomes our model of Grace and trust in God.
O my Queen, O my Mother, I love you and give
myself to you. I give to you this day my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole self.
Since I am yours, keep me and guard me as
your child forever.
Amen.
9. Grace Before Meals
We say Grace before our meals to request God’s blessing of His gifts, goodness, and bounty.
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts
which we are about to receive from your goodness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
10. Grace After Meals
We say Grace after meals to thank God for the gifts received, now and forever.
We give you thanks
for all your gifts,
Almighty God,
living and reigning
now and forever.
Amen.
11. Prayer to the Holy Spirit
In the prayer to the Holy Spirit, we ask God to fill our hearts with love for Him and his Creation. We ask the Holy Spirit to intercede and lead the way with His light.
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 will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit,
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit,
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
12. Act of Faith, Hope, and Love
The Act of Faith, Hope, and Love is a simple and clear but powerful Catholic prayer. We recite three radical affirmations in the Act of Faith, Hope, and Love. This is a very easy prayer for kids to learn that will greatly impact their lives.
Jesus, I believe in you.
Jesus, I hope in you.
Jesus, I love you.
I hope you enjoy this set of free printable prayers for First Communion preparation or to grow and deepen your Catholic faith.
Watercolor Floral – Paid Version
You can purchase the instant download watercolor floral version HERE.
Credits
Special thanks to Loyola Press and Catholic.org for freely providing these prayers to the public and helping spread our beautiful Roman Catholic Faith. Loyola Press is a Jesuit Ministry and publishing company that provides Faith Formation resources to help develop a deep relationship with Jesus Christ.
The English translation of the Prayer Before Meals and the Prayer After Meals from Book of Blessings © 1988, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved.
The English translation of the Prayer to the Holy Spirit from A Book of Prayers © 1982, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved.