How to Pray
the Rosary
A simple prayer. A profound encounter with Christ. Learn how to pray the Holy Rosary, one prayer and one Mystery at a time.
A Simple Prayer
of the Gospel
The Rosary is a prayer of meditation centered on the life of Jesus Christ. As we pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, we reflect on important moments in the Gospel called the Mysteries of the Rosary.
If you're new to the Rosary, don't worry about getting everything perfect. Simply begin. The prayers and rhythm will become familiar very quickly.
THE ROSARY AT A GLANCE
1
Crucifix
Sign of the Cross + Apostles' Creed
6
Ten Beads
Ten Hail Marys (contemplate the Mystery)
2
First Bead
Our Father
7
Complete the Decade
Glory Be + optional Fatima Prayer
3
Three Beads
Three Hail Marys for Faith, Hope & Charity
5/6/7
Repeat
Continue through all five Mysteries
5
First Mystery
Announce the Mystery + Our Father
8
Conclude
Hail Holy Queen + concluding prayers
Let's Pray the Rosary
Begin with the Sign of the Cross
Holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
While holding the crucifix, pray 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 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.
Pray the Our Father
Move to the first large bead and pray 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.
Pray Three Hail Marys
On the next three small beads, pray one Hail Mary on each bead. These are traditionally offered for an increase in Faith, Hope, and Charity.
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.
After the third Hail Mary, pray the 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.
Announce the First Mystery
Before beginning the first decade, announce the first Mystery.
“The First Joyful Mystery is the Annunciation. The fruit of this Mystery is humility.”
Pause briefly and bring the Gospel scene to mind. Then pray the Our Father on the large bead.
What Does It Mean to Meditate on a Mystery?
The Rosary is more than the repetition of prayers. At its heart is the contemplation of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.
Don't worry if your mind wanders. Simply return your attention to the Mystery and continue praying. The repeated prayers create a peaceful rhythm in which we can contemplate the life of Christ with Mary.
Pray Ten Hail Marys
On each of the next ten small beads, pray one Hail Mary while continuing to meditate on the Mystery.
After the tenth Hail Mary, pray the Glory Be.
You may then pray the 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.
Continue Through the Five Mysteries
Announce the next Mystery and repeat the same pattern.
Continue until you have prayed all five Mysteries. Together, these five decades form the heart of the Rosary.
The Mysteries
of the Rosary
Each Rosary focuses on five Mysteries from one of four groups. Together they lead us through the life, ministry, Passion, Resurrection, and glory of Jesus Christ.
Joyful Mysteries
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
Luminous Mysteries
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
- The Wedding Feast at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Conclude the Rosary
After completing the fifth decade, pray the 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.
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.
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.
A Few More Moments in Prayer
At RosaryMinded, we also like to conclude our Rosary with the Memorare and the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled
to thy protection, implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
St. 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 power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.