This prayer was given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself when the apostles asked Him to teach them to pray (Mt 6:9-13) and has been an important prayer since. The Didache (1st/2nd century catechism) commends the prayer to be recited by the faithful three times during the day. In the latter part of the 4th century it became an official part of the Mass where it was originally recited after the breaking of the bread. Later, Pope Gregory the Great, influenced by St. Augustine, moved it to just before the breaking of the bread where it has been ever since. Today, the Didache's tradition of reciting the prayer thrice daily continues in the Church with the Lord's prayer being recited at Mass and then twice more during the Liturgy of the Hours, at Lauds and Vespers.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.