Catechumens

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Christian prayer

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What is prayer?

Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God to adore Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg of Him all the graces we need whether for soul or body.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 276, question 304.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

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At what particular times should we pray?

We should pray particularly on Sundays and holy-days, every morning and night, in all dangers, temptations, and afflictions.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 278, question 306.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

How should we pray?

We should pray: first, with attention; second, with a sense of our own helplessness and dependence upon God; third, with a great desire for the graces we beg of God; fourth, with trust in God's goodness; fifth, with perseverance.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 278–279, question 307.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

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Watch · beginner

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A brief starting point for building a faithful habit of personal prayer.

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Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Practical encouragement for prayer amid work, family and a crowded day.

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Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions and a full transcript have not been verified for this recording.

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How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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An introduction to turning attentive Scripture reading into prayer.

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Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

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Additional Church references
Source readingVerify

Catechism: the Lord's Prayer

Read paragraphs 2759–2760, including the prayer, slowly twice; allow 4–6 minutes.

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Source readingVerify

Catechism: prayer as relationship and gift

2558–2565; first block

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Source readingVerify

Catechism: vocal prayer

2700–2704; first block

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Source readingVerify

Catechism: meditation

2705–2708; third block

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Source readingVerify

Catechism: difficulties in prayer

2729–2731; fourth block

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My library

Optional, with no account required. No prayer completion or private reflection is recorded.

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These notes are placed after the resource so they do not interrupt reading, prayer or study.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: the Lord's Prayer

Read paragraphs 2759–2760, including the prayer, slowly twice; allow 4–6 minutes.

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

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The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: prayer as relationship and gift

2558–2565; first block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

View approval evidence (new tab)

Additional approval evidence (new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: vocal prayer

2700–2704; first block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

View approval evidence (new tab)

Additional approval evidence (new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: meditation

2705–2708; third block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

View approval evidence (new tab)

Additional approval evidence (new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Official papal approval or promulgation

Catechism: difficulties in prayer

2729–2731; fourth block

English text published by the Holy See; consult the publisher for current amendments

Pope John Paul II · 1992-10-11

Verified 2026-09-10. This record covers the listed work, not other material linked by its publisher.

View approval evidence (new tab)

Additional approval evidence (new tab)

The text is read at its source. Ecclesiastical approval does not give Catechumens permission to reproduce it.

Scope of Catechumens commentary

Approval of a cited source does not extend to original commentary written by this app. Original religious lessons, explanations and prayers remain withheld until approval for those exact texts is documented.