The Rosary
How to Pray the Holy Rosary
The Rosary is not one prayer, but a series of prayers with reflections on events in the Life of Jesus. These reflections are called mysteries. There are four sets of mysteries: The Joyful Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, and the Glorious Mysteries. Traditionally, the Mysteries are said on specific days, but you can pray any (or all) of the mysteries whenever you choose.
I will first explain how to pray the Rosary, then list the Mysteries. If you do not know all of the prayers in the Rosary, you can go to the Catholic Prayers page and find links to all of them, or you can scroll down and find them at the end of this post. If you would like guided reflections for each of the mysteries, you can find them here: Rosary Meditations. Or click here to find out more and get your copy: Rosary Meditations.
How to pray the Rosary.
We begin by telling God our intentions for our Rosary: who or what we are praying for when we pray the Rosary.
Then, we pray the following prayers:
The Sign of the Cross, the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, Three Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
Announce the first mystery. Pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
Announce the second mystery. Pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
Announce the third mystery. Pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
Announce the fourth mystery. Pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
Announce the fifth mystery. Pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
Pray the Hail Holy Queen.
You can also pray the Let us Pray, and the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries
These are traditionally prayed on Mondays and Saturdays.
1-The Annunciation: The Archangel visits Mary and asks her to be the Mother of God.
2-The Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth.
3-The Nativity: Jesus is born.
4-The presentation: Jesus is presented as an infant in the Temple.
5-The Finding in the Temple: Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple after searching for Him for three days.
The Luminous Mysteries
These are traditionally prayed on Thursdays.
1-The Baptism of Jesus.
2-The Miracle at the wedding feast at Cana.
3-The proclamation of the kingdom of Heaven.
4-The Transfiguration of Jesus.
5-The institution of the Eucharist.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
These are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
1-The agony of Jesus in the garden.
2-The scourging of Jesus at the pillar.
3-The crowning of Jesus with thorns.
4-The carrying of the cross.
5-The crucifixion and death of Jesus.
The Glorious Mysteries
These are traditionally prayed on Sundays and Wednesdays.
1-The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
2-The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven.
3-The descent of the Holy Spirit.
4-The Assumption of Mary into Heaven.
5-The crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and earth.
If you would like guided reflections for each of the mysteries, you can find them here: Rosary Meditations, or Click here to find out more and get your copy: Rosary Meditations.
Rosary Resources
The Confraternity of the Rosary is a great resource to learn more about the Rosary. If you chose, you can enroll in the Confraternity (for free) to join with others in praying the Rosary. You can learn more details about this on their website.
The Rosary Gift Guide is filled will resources for all ages.
The Prayers of the Rosary
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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; 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 thence 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
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most 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 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 Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Let us Pray
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 the mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeing the ruin and destruction of souls. Amen.
Do you want to find more prayers to help you grow closer to our Lord? You can find more in the Prayers section.
Would you like to have your own copy of the Rosary Meditations for all of the Mysteries, plus copies of the Rosary Reflection Guide and Benefits of Praying the Rosary? Click here to find out more and get your copy: Rosary Meditations
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