1. Daily readings of Scripture
Daily readings can be found here in English or here in Spanish.
Have a family discussion about the readings. Children often have great insights and curious questions when Scripture stories are read to them.
2. Liturgy of the Hours
Join in with priests, women and men religious and others in this form of prayer by easily download the iBreviary app. It will lead you through the prayers during each part of the day.
3. Rosary
Praying the rosary is a wonderful way to reflect and pray with Scripture. Here is a resource to help guide you. Children enjoy leading a decade on their own. This is also an opportunity to ask children who they would like to ask our Blessed Mother to pray for.
4. Spiritual Communion
Spiritual Communion is an ancient practice in the Catholic Church which remains relevant not solely for those concerned about contagious disease, but for all individuals who, due to their unique circumstances, are not able to receive Holy Communion, yet desire the Lord in the Eucharist.
5. Read lives of the saints
Reading the lives of the saints is a great place to find inspiration and catechesis. There are many books that can be ordered online or found in audiobook or ebook formats. Some libraries also allow patrons to digitally check out ebooks for devices such as a Kindle. When the stay-at-home directive is no longer in place, many parishes have libraries for parishioners to enjoy as well.
6. Divine Mercy Chaplet
This powerful prayer was given to us by St. Faustina Kowalska and loved by St. John Paul II. This prayer leads us to trust in Jesus and asks him to send his mercy on us.
7. Create a prayer space in your house
Find a space in your home, a corner of the living room or any place the family tends to gather, to create a space for prayer. Ask the children to decorate the space. Possibly a white table cloth, flowers, a statue or Crucifix can be placed there. Consider using objects that are unique for your family. Use this space to help focus family prayer.
8. Make a Morning Offering
This simple prayer said in the morning connects all of our daily prayers and work to the sacrifice of the Mass. We are able to offer to God the Father through His Son everything in our day as a gift. Here is an example your family can use:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart,
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month.
Amen.
9. Stations of the Cross
The practice of praying the last moments of Christ’s life goes back to the earliest days of the Church. Many still travel to Jerusalem to walk the Via Dolorosa. For most, the pilgrimage to Jerusalem is impossible. This is why churches today have the stations on their walls. Even when we cannot visit our own parishes, we can still pray each station at home. These guides will help with prayer as you make this spiritual pilgrimage.
Stations of the Cross during COVID-19 Pandemic (video)
10. Angelus
Many churches around the world ring their bells at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. to call us to prayer. A prayer to be said at this time is the Angelus. This prayer reminds us of the most joyous moment in human history, the moment God became one of us. If you aren’t able to hear church bells, set a timer to these time and unite your family's prayer with millions around the world.
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. And the Word was made Flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.