How to Pray the Rosary

What is the Rosary?

The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.

The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.

Step by step

1. Familiarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the rosary.
2. Make the Sign of the Cross.
   Show the prayer

   The Sign of the Cross

   In the name of the Father
   and of the Son
   and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

3. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
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   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 sits 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.

4. On the first bead, say an Our Father.
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   The 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.

5. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.
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   The 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.

6. Say the Glory Be
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   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.

7. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.
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   The 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.

8. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery.
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   The 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.

9. Then say a Glory Be.
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   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.

   Optional:

   The Fatima Prayer (optional, after each decade)

   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.

10. After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this dialogue and prayer:
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    Hail, Holy Queen

    Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
    our life, our sweetness and our hope.
    To you do we cry,
    poor banished children of Eve.
    To you do we send up our sighs,
    mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
    Turn then, most gracious advocate,
    your eyes of mercy toward us,
    and after this exile
    show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb,
    Jesus.
    O clement, O loving,
    O sweet Virgin Mary.

    Closing 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 while meditating on 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.

11. (A prayer to St. Joseph may also follow.)
12. Conclude the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.
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    The Sign of the Cross

    In the name of the Father
    and of the Son
    and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today's mysteries are on the main page

The prayers