Prayers Society

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The oldest prayers were dedicated to the Virgin Mary – e.g. Ave Maria (Hail Mary), the rosary, and many litanies. The original form of prayers were pagan formulations, which were adapted to the new doctrine upon the acceptance of Christianity.
In addition to Marian prayers, the Our Father (the Lord’s Prayer) and the Credo (creed), and the Angelus were recited and even more frequently sung. Litanies were primarily dedicated to Christ, but also to other saints - the priest would chant and the people would respond with Kyrie eleison.
Monks knew and used many more prayers related to the daily cycle. Hermits and others who devoted themselves to God and solitude recited the Holy Scriptures and psalms.
During the liturgy, Latin was predominantly heard, but there were also prayers or songs in the vernacular, e.g. Lord, Have Mercy on Us or Saint Wenceslas.

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