How to Pray the Rosary
To pray the Rosary, it helps to have a set of Rosary beads. The prayer begins by with the Sign of the Cross, followed by reciting the Apostles Creed. Using the beads, say an Our Father while on the first bead, and then a Hail Mary on the following beads. After each series of Hail Mary’s say the Glory Be. During the prayers on each series of ten beads (decade), we meditate on one of the Mysteries. End the Rosary with the “Hail Holy Queen”.
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,
Maker 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 the Father.
From thence He will come again 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 the Life everlasting. Amen.
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
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.
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
The Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
Hail 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.
V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
The Mysteries of the Rosary
By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit – Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit – Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit – Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit – Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit – Obedience ]
The Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light
(Thursdays) see Rosarium Virginis Mariae
1. Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan (II Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 3:17 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit – Gratitude for the gift of Faith]
2. Jesus’ self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1- 12) [Spiritual fruit – Fidelity]
3. Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with His call to conversion (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47- 48, John 20:22-23) [Spiritual fruit – Desire for Holiness]
4. Jesus’ Transfiguration (Luke 9:35 and parallels) [Spiritual fruit – Spiritual Courage]
5. Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery. (Luke 24:13-35 and parallels, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) [Spiritual fruit – Love of our Eucharistic Lord]
The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit – God’s will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit – Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit – Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit – Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit – Pardoning of Injuries]
The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit – Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit – Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit – Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit – To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit – Grace of Final Perseverance]