Guide
How to Pray the Rosary
A complete guide to this Marian devotion. Learn each prayer and understand the mysteries.
Start PrayingWhat is the Rosary?
The Rosary combines vocal prayer with meditation on the life of Christ. Through the repetition of prayers, we meditate on key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary.
The word "rosary" comes from the Latin "rosarium," meaning "crown of roses." When we pray the Hail Mary, we offer Our Lady a spiritual rose.
A complete Rosary consists of five decades, each beginning with an Our Father, followed by ten Hail Marys, and concluded with a Glory Be.
Structure
01
Opening
- Sign of the Cross
- Apostles' Creed
- Our Father
- Three Hail Marys
- Glory Be
02
Five Decades
- Announce the Mystery
- Our Father
- Ten Hail Marys
- Glory Be
- Fatima Prayer
03
Closing
- Hail Holy Queen
- Final Prayer
- Sign of the Cross
The Mysteries
Each day has traditionally assigned mysteries to meditate upon.
Joyful Mysteries
Mon & Sat- 1The Annunciation
- 2The Visitation
- 3The Nativity
- 4The Presentation
- 5Finding in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries
Tue & Fri- 1Agony in the Garden
- 2Scourging at the Pillar
- 3Crowning with Thorns
- 4Carrying of the Cross
- 5The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
Wed & Sun- 1The Resurrection
- 2The Ascension
- 3Descent of the Holy Spirit
- 4The Assumption
- 5The Coronation
Luminous Mysteries
Thursday- 1Baptism in the Jordan
- 2Wedding at Cana
- 3Proclamation of the Kingdom
- 4The Transfiguration
- 5Institution of the Eucharist
The Prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, 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 Ghost, 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 amongst 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 Ghost. 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 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.