How to Pray The Rosary
On the 5 decades (sets of 10 beads) of a rosary, we pray and meditate on the corresponding set of Mysteries which are traditionally adhering to certain days of the week.
- Joyful mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)
- Luminous mysteries (Thursdays)
- Sorrowful mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)
- Glorious mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)
1. Hold the Crucifix in your hand. Make the sign of The Cross and recite 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; 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 thence He shall 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
2. On the first bead, pray one 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
3. On the next three beads pray 3 Hail Marys.
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.
4. Pray one 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
5. Begin the first decade on the next separate bead.
Announce the first mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.
For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the first mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary; finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.
6. Begin the second decade on the next separate bead.
Announce the second mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.
For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the second mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary; finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.
7.Begin the third decade on the next separate bead.
Announce the third mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.
For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the third mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary; finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.
8. Begin the fourth decade on the next separate bead.
Announce the fourth mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.
For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the fourth mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary; finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.
9. Begin the fifth decade on the next separate bead.
Announce the fifth mystery and reflect on this moment in the life of Jesus and pray one Our Father.
For each of the next 10 beads continue your reflection on the fifth mystery and pray one Hail Mary on each bead. After the final Hail Mary; finish the decade by praying one Glory Be.
10. At the centerpiece, recite The Hail Holy Queen
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 towards 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.
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.
Make the sign of the cross to finish.
