The rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer devotion that involves meditating on events in the life of Jesus and Mary, known as the "mysteries." Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pray the rosary:
- Start with the Sign of the Cross
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
- The Apostles' Creed
On the crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed.
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."
- The First Our Father
On the first large bead, pray the Our Father.
"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."
- Three Hail Marys
On each of the next three small beads, pray a Hail Mary (these are often for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and charity).
"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"
- Glory Be
After the three Hail Marys, pray the Glory Be.
"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
- Announce the First Mystery
Announce the first mystery and begin meditating on it (see list of mysteries below).
Then pray the Our Father on the next large bead.
- Ten Hail Marys
On each of the ten small beads that follow, pray a Hail Mary while meditating on the mystery.
- Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
After the ten Hail Marys, pray the Glory Be.
Optionally, you can pray the Fatima Prayer: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.”
- Repeat for Each Mystery
Continue this pattern of announcing the mystery, praying the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be (and Fatima Prayer, if you wish) for each of the five mysteries.
- Hail, Holy Queen
After all five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen prayer.
"Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary."
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
- Closing Prayer
"Let us pray.
O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
Finish with the Sign of the Cross.
Mysteries of the Rosary
Each day has a specific set of mysteries:
- Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday)
The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
- Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion
- Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday, Sunday)
The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Coronation of Mary
- Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
The Baptism of Jesus
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
This rhythm of prayer allows for quiet reflection on the life of Jesus and Mary, with each decade offering a moment to focus on a different event or teaching.