Prayer · subject 24 of 26

Learning to pray

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Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Questions 557–566 · Learning to pray. The link opens the containing section; use the question numbers to find this range.

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Official papal approval or promulgation

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Questions 557–566 · Learning to pray. The link opens the containing section; use the question numbers to find this range.

Holy See English edition, 2005, including the Common Prayers appendix

Pope Benedict XVI · 2005-06-28

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.

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These are separate selections from the approved 1891 historical catechism. They provide related background and do not reproduce or replace the Compendium section above.

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.