Major Catholic Prayer Traditions – Very Extensive and Easy-to-Use

Catechists should be aware that the prayer of the Catholic Church is far more than the memorized vocal prayers, devotional prayers (such as the Rosary) or the prayers we say together at Mass.

For over a thousand years, the Church has developed rich prayer forms such as contemplative prayer (Christian meditation), liturgy of the hours, prayer using scripture, and prayer using nature, to name a few.

For centuries, only priests, monks and cloistered nuns participated in many of these prayer forms, but today we recognize the value these spiritual practices have for lay people.

In a culture where New Age spirituality can be attractive to many people, including youth and young adults, it is important for Catholic students to receive the information that we have our own beautiful treasury of prayer – ways to draw closer to God that are perhaps less familiar, but not difficult.

To make this happen, catechists should be aware of at least the following prayer traditions: Benedictine, Carmelite, Dominican, Franciscan and Ignatian. (See Quick Summaries below.)

For the whole list and explanations of the Major Prayer Traditions in the Catholic Church, click here.