How to Recite the Rosary
On the 5 decades (sets of 10 beads) of a rosary, we pray and meditate on the corresponding set of 5 Mysteries from the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, or the Luminous Mysteries.
1. The Apostle’s 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; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, 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 Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
2. 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. Say 3 Hail Marys
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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. Glory be to the Father
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.
5. Announce the First Mystery
Then say the Our Father (2).
6. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade
Say ten Hail Marys (3), while meditating on the Mystery.
7. Glory be to the Father
After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: “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.”
8. Announce the Second Mystery
Then say the Our Father (2). Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.
9. 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 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.
Daily Mystery Meditations
The Mysteries traditionally adhere to certain days of the week.
Monday: Joyful
Tuesday: Sorrowful
Wednesday: Glorious
Thursday: Luminous
Friday: Sorrowful
Saturday: Joyful
Sunday: Glorious
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries (Monday, Saturday)
- The Annunciation:
The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that She is to be the Mother of God.
- The Visitation:
The Blessed Virgin pays a visit to Her cousin Elizabeth.
- The Nativity:
The Infant Jesus is born in a stable at Bethlehem.
- The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple:
The Blessed Virgin presents the Child Jesus to Simeon in the Temple.
- The Finding in the Temple:
Jesus is lost for three days, and the Blessed Mother finds Him in the Temple.
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
- The Baptism in the Jordan:
Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.
- The Wedding at Cana:
Jesus attends a wedding at Cana in Galilee, where he turns water into wine.
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom:
Jesus goes through the towns and cities of his own country proclaiming God’s Kingdom and helping the poor.
- The Transfiguration:
Jesus leads his friends up a high mountain, where they see him shining in glorious light.
- The Institution of the Eucharist:
At supper with his friends before he dies, Jesus gives himself to them in bread and wine.
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday, Friday)
- The Agony in the Garden:
Jesus prays in the Garden of Olives and drops of blood break through His skin.
- The Scourging at the Pillar:
Jesus is tied to a pillar and cruelly beaten with whips.
- The Crowning with Thorns:
A crown of thorns is placed upon Jesus’ head.
- The Carrying of the Cross:
Jesus is made to carry His cross to Calvary.
- The Crucifixion:
Jesus is nailed to the cross, and dies for our sins.
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday, Sunday)
The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead:
Jesus rises from the dead, three days after His death.
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven:
Forty days after His death, Jesus ascends into heaven.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit:
Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit comes to the apostles and the Blessed Mother in the form of fiery tongues.
The Assumption of Mary into Heaven:
The Blessed Virgin is assumed into heaven.
The Crowning of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth:
The Blessed Virgin is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth by Jesus, her Son.
Litany of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Mother of mercy,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honour,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comfort of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee,
O Lord God,
that we, your servants,
may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body;
and by the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin,
may be delivered from present sorrow,
and obtain eternal joy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Memorare of St. Bernard
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine 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