How to Pray the Holy Rosary
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer that helps us meditate on the mysteries of Christ's life through the eyes of Mary.
Today's Mysteries
The Church traditionally prays different mysteries on different days
Joyful Mysteries
Monday & Saturday
Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesday & Friday
Glorious Mysteries
Wednesday & Sunday
Luminous Mysteries
Thursday
Praying the Rosary
Make the Sign of the Cross
Hold the crucifix and make the Sign of the Cross.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Apostles' Creed
Still 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.
Our Father
On the first large bead, 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.
Three Hail Marys
On the three small beads, pray a Hail Mary on each for 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.
Glory Be
After the three Hail Marys, 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
Announce the first mystery and pray the Our Father on the large bead.
Example: 'The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation.'
Ten Hail Marys (One Decade)
Pray a Hail Mary on each of the ten small beads while meditating on the mystery.
Hail Mary... (×10)
Glory Be & Fatima Prayer
After each decade, pray the Glory Be and the Fatima Prayer.
Glory be... 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 the Remaining Decades
Repeat steps 6-8 for each of the remaining four mysteries, moving around the rosary.
Announce each mystery, pray the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, and Fatima Prayer.
Hail Holy Queen
After completing all five decades, 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. Amen.
Final Prayer & Sign of the Cross
Conclude with the Sign of the Cross and any personal intentions.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Meditate on Christ's Life
Joyful Mysteries
Monday & Saturday- 1The AnnunciationLuke 1:26-38
- 2The VisitationLuke 1:39-56
- 3The NativityLuke 2:1-20
- 4The PresentationLuke 2:22-40
- 5Finding Jesus in the TempleLuke 2:41-52
Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesday & Friday- 1The Agony in the GardenMatthew 26:36-46
- 2The Scourging at the PillarJohn 19:1
- 3The Crowning with ThornsMatthew 27:27-31
- 4The Carrying of the CrossJohn 19:17
- 5The CrucifixionJohn 19:18-30
Glorious Mysteries
Wednesday & Sunday- 1The ResurrectionJohn 20:1-18
- 2The AscensionActs 1:9-11
- 3The Descent of the Holy SpiritActs 2:1-4
- 4The Assumption of MaryRevelation 12:1
- 5The Coronation of MaryRevelation 12:1
Luminous Mysteries
Thursday- 1The Baptism in the JordanMatthew 3:13-17
- 2The Wedding at CanaJohn 2:1-11
- 3The Proclamation of the KingdomMark 1:14-15
- 4The TransfigurationMatthew 17:1-8
- 5The Institution of the EucharistMatthew 26:26-28
Why Pray the Rosary?
Scripture-Based
Every mystery is rooted in Scripture. The Rosary is a way to meditate on the Gospel.
Highly Indulgenced
The Church attaches a partial indulgence to the Rosary, and a plenary indulgence when prayed in certain conditions.
Recommended by Saints
Countless saints — from St. Dominic to St. John Paul II — have praised the Rosary as essential.
“The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life. It is the remedy for all our evils, the root of all our blessings. There is no more excellent way of praying.”
— Pope Leo XIII
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