Introduction
Welcome! The Rosary is a beautiful prayer in the Catholic tradition that helps us reflect on the life of Jesus Christ through a series of meditations called "mysteries," while asking Mary, His mother, to pray for us. It might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but don’t worry—we’ll go through it step by step. All you need is a set of Rosary beads (or your fingers to count) and a willing heart. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
- Rosary Beads: A string of beads with a crucifix, one standalone bead, a centerpiece, and five groups (decades) of ten beads each. If you don’t have beads, you can use your fingers.
- Time: About 15-20 minutes.
- A Quiet Space: Somewhere you can focus.
Step-by-Step Guide to Praying the Rosary
- Make the Sign of the Cross
- Hold the crucifix, and say: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- This begins the prayer and invites God’s presence.
- Say the Apostles’ Creed
- Still holding the crucifix, recite this statement of Christian belief:
“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 sitteth 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.”
- Pray the Our Father
- Move to the first standalone bead after the crucifix and say:
“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.”
- This prayer, taught by Jesus, sets the tone for the Rosary.
- Pray Three Hail Marys
- Move to the next three beads (one prayer per bead) and say:
“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.”
- These are for the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
- Pray the Glory Be
- After the three Hail Marys, before the centerpiece, say:
“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.”
- This praises the Holy Trinity.
- Announce the First Mystery
- The Rosary is divided into four sets of mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous), each focusing on events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Pick one set based on the day (see below). For example, if it’s Monday, start with the Joyful Mysteries.
- Say: “The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation” (when the angel Gabriel announces to Mary she will bear Jesus).
- Take a moment to think about this event.
- Pray the Our Father
- On the standalone bead or space before the first decade (group of ten beads), say the Our Father again.
- Pray Ten Hail Marys
- For each of the ten beads in the decade, say a Hail Mary while meditating on the mystery. For example, imagine Mary saying “yes” to God during the Annunciation.
- Pray the Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
- After the ten Hail Marys, say the Glory Be, then add:
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.” (This is the Fatima Prayer, added after a vision in 1917.)
- Move to the Next Mystery
- Announce the next mystery (e.g., “The Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation”), then repeat steps 7-9. Do this for all five mysteries in the set.
- Finish with the Hail Holy Queen
- After the fifth mystery, hold the centerpiece and pray:
“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. Amen.”
- Make the Sign of the Cross
- End as you began: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
The Mysteries and When to Pray Them