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The Holy Rosary
The rosary has 59 beads, a crucifix, and a medal, with certain prayers for each of these different pieces. The prayers of the rosary can be divided into three categories:
- Introductory Prayers
- The Decades
- Closing Prayers
With the prayers of the rosary, we ask Mary to pray for us and to guide us by the example of her son, Jesus.
What is the Rosary and why do we pray it?
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer that leads us to Jesus through Mary. The word rosary means garland of roses, which has been interpreted into the rosary of today, a string of beads. Mother Mary, also known as the Lady of the Rosary, urged everyone to pray the rosary to help people grow in their faith, convert sinners, and bring about world peace.
The Rosary begins with the Apostles’ Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel’s words announcing Christ’s birth and Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ’s life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
Every October 7th we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary by meditating upon the mysteries of Christ and connecting with the incarnation, passion and glorious resurrection of the Son of God.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ’s spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
The Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the season of Advent, on Sundays:
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation in the Temple
- The Finding in the Temple
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and, during the season of Lent, on Sundays:
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion and Death
The Five Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and, outside the seasons of Advent and Lent, on Sundays:
The Five Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays:
- The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
- The Wedding Feast at Cana
- Jesus’ Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
When you meditate on these mysteries and establish the rosary as a spiritual habit in your life, an amazing thing happens: Jesus’ peace becomes your peace, his hope becomes your hope, and his healing becomes your healing as his life transforms your life.
How to Pray the Rosary
- While holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the first bead, pray the Our Father.
- On the next three beads, pray three Hail Mary’s then pray the Glory Be.
- For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.
- While holding each of the ten beads of the decade, next pray ten Hail Mary’s while meditating on the Mystery, then Pray The Glory Be.
- After finishing each decade, pray The Fatima Prayer.
- After saying all five decades. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by the closing prayer.
- Conclude the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross.
Step 1: While holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed:
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He arose again; He ascended into heaven, and 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 Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen
Step 2: On the first bead, pray the Our Father:
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.
Step 3: On the next three beads, pray three Hail Mary’s then pray the Glory Be:
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.
Step 4: For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father:
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.
Step 5: While holding each of the ten beads of the decade, next pray ten Hail Mary’s while meditating on the Mystery, then Pray The Glory Be:
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.
Step 6: After finishing each decade, pray the Fatima Prayer:
Fatima Prayer
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 Your Mercy.
Step 7: After saying all five decades. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this closing prayer:
Hail Holy Queen 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 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.
Closing Prayer:
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 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.
The Annunciation
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin whose name was Mary. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to Your word.”
(Luke 1: 26-38)
The Visitation
Mary set out and traveled to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
(Luke 1: 39-43)
The Nativity
While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her first-born Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:6-7)
The Presentation
In the Temple-Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His Mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
(Luke 2: 22-35)
The Finding in the Temple
When Jesus was twelve years old, His parents went up to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. As they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind. After three days, they found Him in the temple. Jesus went down with them to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.
The Agony in the Garden
They came to a place named Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray. My soul is sorrowful even to death.” He prayed to His Father: “Take this cup away from Me, but not what I will but what You will.”
(Mark 14:32-36)
The Scourging at the Pillar
They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed Him over to be crucified.
(Mark 15: 1-15)
The Crowning with Thorns
The soldiers led Jesus away inside the palace and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed Jesus in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on Him. They began to salute Him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking His head with a reed and spitting upon Him.”
(Mark 15: 16-19)
The Carrying of the Cross
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. So they took Jesus and, carrying the cross Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
(John 19 16-17)
The Crucifixion and Death
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus. Darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.”
(Luke 23: 33-46)
The Resurrection
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised as He said.”
(Matthew 28:5-6)
The Ascension
As the Apostles were looking on, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight. This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen Him going into heaven.”
(Acts 2: 1-4)
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 2: 1-4)
The Assumption
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
(1 Thessalonians 4: 14-17)
The Coronation of Mary
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
(Revelation 12:1)
The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
The disciple John saw Jesus coming toward him, and proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29)
The Wedding Feast at Cana
“Jesus did this (miraculously transformed water into wine) as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.”
(John 2:11)
Jesus’ Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose Sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
(John 20:22-23)
The Transfiguration
“And Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.”
(Mathew 17:2)
The Institution of the Eucharist
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”
(John 6:54)