Memorizing Traditional Catholic Prayers
Teaching children to pray is one of the greatest responsibilities and privileges of a Catholic parent. In order to enable your children to enjoy a lifetime of praying together with their Catholic family comfortably, they must know at least the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Act of Contrition. Those who are in their second year of preparation for First Communion must recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Act of Contrition from memory in December. To support you in this enterprise, we offer many resources, listed below. Don't get overwhelmed or discouraged! Reach out to us early with any concerns; we are here to work with you to make the best plan for your family, including adaptations for special needs and circumstances.
Tips for Memorizing
Pray together at the same time every day, like before bed or during car rides.
Put copies of the prayers in key places, such as on the bathroom mirror to be read while brushing teeth and on the table for mealtimes.
Number the lines of the prayer. Read the prayer, focusing on the first line. Then shut your eyes, say the first line from memory, open your eyes and read the rest of the prayer focusing on the second line, and so on.
Reflect on the meaning of the prayers.
Have the children decorate or illustrate the prayers.
Do activity sheets of the prayers.
Pray with hand motions.
Sing the prayers.