Catholic Prayer for Recovery From Addiction
A Catholic prayer for recovery asks Jesus for freedom, asks Mary and the saints to pray with you, and leans on the sacraments for strength. You can pray the original prayer below for yourself or someone else, then add the Memorare and the prayer to St. Michael, two traditional prayers Catholics have said for generations. None of this replaces a priest, a doctor or a meeting. It brings all of it to God.
A Catholic prayer for recovery
“Lord Jesus, I come to You in my weakness. You know what addiction has done to me, and to the people who love me. I can’t break this hold alone. Free me, Lord. Forgive what I’ve done, and heal what has been done to me. Give me the grace to stay sober today, to go to confession when I fall, and to receive You in the Eucharist with a grateful heart. Lead me to honest friends and good help. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me. St. Joseph, guard me. My guardian angel, stay close. Amen.”
To pray it for someone else, put their name in place of “me.”
The Memorare
This prayer asks Mary to bring your need to her Son. Catholics have prayed it since at least the fifteenth century. Many people in recovery say it when a craving hits.
“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”
The prayer to St. Michael
Pope Leo XIII wrote this prayer in the 1880s. People who feel their addiction as a real spiritual battle often pray it every morning.
“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Confession: a fresh start you can repeat
Shame drives many people back to the bottle. Confession answers shame head-on. You name what you did, out loud, to a priest who stands in for Christ, and you hear the words of absolution. Catholics in recovery often find that confession and the fifth step feel like close cousins: both are about telling the whole truth to God and another person.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
If it has been years, just say so. Priests hear that every week. You can ask for a face-to-face appointment if the line feels like too much.
The Eucharist: food for the fight
The Mass gives you something addiction never could: Christ Himself, and a place among people who are also sinners and also loved. Going to daily Mass, even once or twice a week, gives early recovery a steady anchor.
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
If you worry about the wine at Communion, you may receive under the form of bread alone. Our page on communion wine and recovery explains the options.
A Catholic who walked this road
Venerable Matt Talbot was a Dublin laborer who got sober in 1884 and stayed sober for the rest of his life through prayer, the sacraments and work. Many Catholics ask for his prayers. Our Catholic prayer for alcoholics tells more of his story and includes prayers to St. Monica and St. Matthias.
Getting real help
The Church has always seen doctors as a gift from God. If you’ve been drinking heavily and want to quit drinking, see a doctor before you stop.
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
For how the steps fit with parish life, read Christian recovery for Catholics.
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Something to do this week
Pray the Memorare each morning and the recovery prayer above each night. Look up your parish’s confession times and pick one. Tell one person, your priest or a friend, that you’re trying to get free.
Common questions
Is there an official Catholic prayer for addiction?
There isn't one single prayer the Church requires for this. Catholics use the traditional prayers of the Church, like the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Memorare and the St. Michael prayer, along with their own words. Ask your priest if you'd like one for your situation.
Can I go to Communion if I relapsed?
The Church teaches that anyone aware of serious sin should go to confession before receiving Communion. Whether a particular relapse was a serious sin depends on things like knowledge and freedom, which addiction can affect. Go to confession and talk it through with the priest. Don't stay away from the Church.
Can a Catholic work the Twelve Steps?
Yes. Many meetings are held in parish halls, and many Catholics in recovery see the steps as fitting naturally with confession, examination of conscience and making amends.
Who is the Catholic patron for people with addictions?
Venerable Matt Talbot is the figure most often named for alcoholism, and St. Maximilian Kolbe is often named for drug addiction. Neither title is an official Church designation; they come from popular devotion.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
Jimmy and Sarah are AI sponsors who know the Twelve Steps and the Bible. They'll listen, walk the steps with you, and keep pointing you to real people: a meeting, a sponsor, a church.
Free to download · first month free, no card · adults 18+
After the first month, talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
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