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HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY
The rosary is divided into five groups of ten beads called decades. As we pray the rosary we meditate on the events of Our Lord's life and Passion, which are called Mysteries. The repetition of the prayers assists in this prayerful meditation. The rosary, in essence, is a compendium of the Gospel and leads us, through the intercession of Our Lady, to contemplate Jesus Christ. Below is a guide to praying the Rosary, and at the botton of this page is an instructive video.
Begin by praying the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen1. On 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. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. He shall 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 life everlasting. Amen.2. Begin the rosary with one 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.3. Pray three Hail Marys for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and love.
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.
4. Pray one 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.Next, you will begin to pray the Mysteries, or decades, of the Rosary.
On Monday and Saturday, meditate on the “Joyful Mysteries”
It is suggested you focus on the mysteries according to the day of the week you are praying.- First Decade: The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
- Second Decade: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
- Third Decade: The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)
- Fourth Decade: The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
- Fifth Decade: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
- First Decade: The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
- Second Decade: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
- Third Decade: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
- Fourth Decade: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
- Fifth Decade: The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)
- First Decade: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
- Second Decade: The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
- Third Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
- Fourth Decade: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
- Fifth Decade: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
- First Decade: The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
- Second Decade: The Wedding at Cana, when Christ manifested Himself (Jn 2:1-11)
- Third Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
- Fourth Decade: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8)
- Fifth Decade: The Last Supper, when Our Lord gave us the Holy Eucharist (Mt 26)
5. Announce the first mystery (Ex: “The first Joyful Mystery is the Annunciation.”), and then pray one 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.
6. Follow with ten Hail Mary’s, one for each of the 10 beads in the decade
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.
7. Pray one 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.
Conclude the decade with the Fatima Prayer (optional).
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.
Repeat steps 5 through 7 for the remaining decades.
8. Pray the Hail Holy Queen and the concluding prayer.
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. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.?R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
- 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 by 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.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
This video from Bishop Barron shows how to pray the Rosary
