How to pray the Rosary
The Rosary is prayed on a string of beads: a crucifix, five beads leading to a medal, then five decades of ten beads. Each decade is spent with one mystery from the life of Jesus and Mary.
Step by step
- Holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed.Sign of the CrossApostles' Creed
- On the first large bead, pray the Our Father.Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)
- On the next three beads, pray three Hail Marys, for an increase of faith, hope and charity.Hail Mary
- Pray the Glory Be.Glory Be
- Announce the first mystery, then pray the Our Father on the large bead.Our Father (The Lord's Prayer)
- On the ten small beads, pray ten Hail Marys while thinking about the mystery.Hail Mary
- End the decade with the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.Glory BeFatima Prayer (O My Jesus)
- Pray the second to fifth decades in the same way, announcing each mystery.
- Finish with the Hail Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross.Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)Sign of the Cross
Which mysteries to pray each day
| Day | Mysteries |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Glorious Mysteries |
| Monday | Joyful Mysteries |
| Tuesday | Sorrowful Mysteries |
| Wednesday | Glorious Mysteries |
| Thursday | Luminous Mysteries |
| Friday | Sorrowful Mysteries |
| Saturday | Joyful Mysteries |
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 (The Lord's Prayer)
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)
O 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 (Salve Regina)
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.