How to Pray the Rosary
Begin at the tail end of the rosary beads
1. Holding the crucifix: "In
the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit", one Apostles' Creed
2. On the first bead: one
Our Father
3. On the three grouped beads: one Hail Mary on each bead
asking for an increase in the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love
(Charity)
4. On the next single bead: one
Glory Be & Fatima Prayer
The first mystery
5. Announce the first mystery. For example, the first luminous
mystery is the baptism of Jesus.
6. On the same single bead as above: one
Our Father
Move on to the loop of beads
7. On the first set of ten beads: one
Hail Mary on each bead (total of ten)
8. Pause and reflect on the first mystery
9. On the single bead: one
Glory Be & Fatima Prayer
The second to the fifth mysteries
Announce the mysteries one at a time and
repeat the pattern of
one Our Father
ten Hail Marys
one Glory Be & One Fatima Prayer
until you have reflected on all five
mysteries
Conclude each series (set of five mysteries) with
Hail, Holy Queen & Concluding Prayers
The Prayers of the Rosary
Apostles' Creed
(V). I believe
in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the
power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He
descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into
heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to
judge the living and the dead.
(R). I believe
in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Lord's Prayer
(V). Our
Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will
be done on earth as it is heaven.
(R). 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.
Hail Mary
(V). Hail Mary,
full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
(R). Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Doxology (Glory Be)
(V). Glory be
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
(R). As it was
in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
Fatima Prayer
(ALL) O my
Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls
to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.
Hail, Holy Queen
(ALL) Hail,
holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To You
we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to You we send up our sighs, mourning
and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate,
Your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the
blessed fruit of Your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.
Concluding Prayer
- V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
-
- R. That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.
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 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.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
Joyful Mysteries (Mondays
and Saturdays)
- The Annunciation: The angel Gabriel
announces to Mary that she is to become the Mother of Jesus. Luke
1:26-38.
- The Visitation: Mary visits and helps
her cousin Elizabeth. Luke 1:39-56.
- The Nativity: Mary gives birth to
Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Luke 2:1-20.
- The Presentation in the Temple: Jesus
is presented in the Temple. Luke2:21-38.
- The finding of the child Jesus in the
Temple: Jesus is found in the Temple and "all who heard Him were
amazed." Luke 2:41-51.
Mysteries of Light / Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
- The Baptism in the Jordan: Jesus'
public life begins when John baptizes him in the Jordan. Matthew
3:13-17.
- The Wedding Feast at Cana: Jesus
performs his first sign, turning water into wine. John 2:1-11.
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of
God: Jesus calls everyone to enter the Kingdom of God. Matthew
4:12-17.
- The Transfiguration: Jesus briefly
reveals his divine glory in the presence of Peter, John and James.
Mathew 17:1-8.
- The Institution of the Eucharist: The
Passover meal receives a new meaning with the institution of the
Eucharist, anticipating the glory of the Kingdom. Matthew 26:26-29.
Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays
and Fridays)
- The Agony in the Garden: Jesus suffers
his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and overcomes temptation through
prayer. Matthew 26:36-46.
- The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus is
taken to Pilate and is mocked and whipped at the pillar. John 19:1-3.
- The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is
crowned with a circle of sharp thorns. Matthew 27:27-31.
- The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus
carries the cross to Golgotha. Mark 15:21-24.
- The Crucifixion: Jesus dies on the
cross. Luke 23:33-46.
Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays
and Sundays)
- The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the
dead on the third day. Luke 24:1-12.
- The Ascension: Jesus ascends into
heaven forty days after resurrection. Mark 16:19-20.
- The descent of the Holy Spirit: The
Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the apostles. Acts 2.1-4.
- The Assumption: Mary, "when the course
of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the
glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's
Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his
Body" (CCC, 974). Luke 1:46-55.
- The crowning of Our Lady Queen of
Heaven: Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth. Revelation 12:1.