How often does your family pray together? At meals? At bedtime? At Mass? As Catholics, we are communal pray-ers. We have a rich tradition of shared prayer:
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The Angelus - A prayer that is traditionally repeated three times daily, morning, noon, and evening, at the sound of the bell. (This is the reason that many Catholic churches ring their bells at noon and 6pm.)
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Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office - Prayed daily by ordained clergy and lay faithful throughout the world.
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Stations of the Cross - A journey of remembering Jesus' passion and death.
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The Rosary - Meditations on the mysteries of Christ's life.
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The Mass - The source and summit of our Catholic faith.
We have our children learn and memorize prayers such as the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Glory Be, so that they can participate in our community prayers.
Catholic prayer is an important tradition that parents have the responsibility for passing on to their children. Whether the prayer is a thanksgiving before or after meals, bedtime prayers, shared Scripture readings, or simple blessings when leaving the house, praying together as a family can be a powerful experience of bonding, support, and encouragement.
How will your family pray together today?
