How to Pray the Holy Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary is prayed in five decades, each consisting of one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, a Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer. Begin with the set of prayers in the Introduction, pray the five decades while meditating on the mysteries for the day, then close with the set of prayers in the Conclusion.

Introduction

  1. Sign of the Cross
  2. Apostles' Creed
  3. Our Father
  4. Three Hail Marys — one for faith, one for hope, one for charity
  5. Glory Be
  6. Fatima Prayer

For Each of the Five Decades

  1. Announce the Mystery — name the mystery appointed for that day
  2. Our Father
  3. Ten Hail Marys — meditate on the mystery with each
  4. Glory Be
  5. Fatima Prayer

Conclusion

  1. Hail Holy Queen
  2. Closing Prayer — O God, Whose only-begotten Son…
  3. Sign of the Cross
Optional: Many Catholics add the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the close. This is a praiseworthy practice but not part of the formal structure of the Rosary.
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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; 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 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 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 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 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 vale 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.
Closing 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 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.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel (optional) Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection 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 Divine Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
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The Mysteries

Meditate on one set of five mysteries per Rosary. The Church assigns mysteries to days of the week as follows.

Monday & Saturday

Joyful Mysteries

  1. The Annunciation (Lk 1:26–38)
  2. The Visitation (Lk 1:39–56)
  3. The Nativity (Lk 2:1–21)
  4. The Presentation (Lk 2:22–38)
  5. Finding in the Temple (Lk 2:41–52)

Thursday

Luminous Mysteries

  1. The Baptism of Our Lord (Mt 3:13–16)
  2. The Wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1–11)
  3. Proclamation of the Kingdom (Mk 1:14–15)
  4. The Transfiguration (Mt 17:1–8)
  5. Institution of the Eucharist (Mt 26)

Tuesday & Friday

Sorrowful Mysteries

  1. The Agony in the Garden (Mt 26:36–56)
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Mt 27:26)
  3. The Crowning with Thorns (Mt 27:27–31)
  4. Carrying of the Cross (Mt 27:32)
  5. The Crucifixion (Mt 27:33–56)

Wednesday & Sunday

Glorious Mysteries

  1. The Resurrection (Jn 20:1–29)
  2. The Ascension (Lk 24:36–53)
  3. Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–41)
  4. The Assumption of Mary
  5. Coronation of Mary as Queen
The Luminous Mysteries were added by Pope St. John Paul II in Rosarium Virginis Mariae (On the Most Holy Rosary), October 2002.

About the Rosary

A sacred tradition amongst faithful Catholics, a growing practice amngst all Christians.

The Holy Rosary

Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

  • Joyful Mondays & Saturdays
  • Sorrowful Tuesdays & Fridays
  • Glorious Wednesdays & Sundays
  • Luminous Thursdays
Explore the Mysteries