A Guide to Prayer
How to Pray the Holy Rosary
A complete guide to this beloved Marian devotion, meditating on the life of Christ through the eyes of His Mother.
Begin PrayingWhat is the Rosary?
The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary. By praying the Hail Mary while contemplating the mysteries, we draw closer to Our Lord through His Blessed Mother.
The word "rosary" comes from the Latin rosarium, meaning "crown of roses." Each Hail Mary we pray is a spiritual rose offered to the Queen of Heaven.
A complete Rosary consists of five decades. Each decade begins with the Our Father, followed by ten Hail Marys, and concludes with the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
The Order of Prayer
Structure of the Rosary
The Opening
- Sign of the Cross
- Apostles' Creed
- Our Father
- Three Hail Marys
- Glory Be
The Five Decades
- Announce the Mystery
- Our Father
- Ten Hail Marys
- Glory Be
- Fatima Prayer
The Closing
- Hail Holy Queen
- Final Prayer
- Sign of the Cross
Meditations on Christ
The Four Mysteries
Each day has traditionally assigned mysteries upon which to meditate.
Joyful Mysteries
Mon & Sat- 1.The Annunciation
- 2.The Visitation
- 3.The Nativity
- 4.The Presentation
- 5.Finding in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries
Tue & Fri- 1.Agony in the Garden
- 2.Scourging at the Pillar
- 3.Crowning with Thorns
- 4.Carrying of the Cross
- 5.The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
Wed & Sun- 1.The Resurrection
- 2.The Ascension
- 3.Descent of the Holy Spirit
- 4.The Assumption
- 5.The Coronation
Luminous Mysteries
Thursday- 1.Baptism in the Jordan
- 2.Wedding at Cana
- 3.Proclamation of the Kingdom
- 4.The Transfiguration
- 5.Institution of the Eucharist
Learn the Words
The Prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
Hail Mary
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
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.
Fatima Prayer
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. Amen.
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 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.
Final Prayer
O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.