How to Pray the Rosary

1. While holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles Creed.

2. On the first bead, recite the Our Father.

3. On the three beads that follow, a Hail Mary is recited at each bead.

4. At the next single bead, the Doxology is recited.

5.At the first decade of beads, announce the First Mystery and begin by reciting the Our Father.  Then recite a Hail Mary at each of the successive ten beads.  Meditate on the Mystery as you recite each Hail Mary.

6. After the tenth Hail Mary, follow up with the Doxology on the next single bead, which separates the decades.

7.After the Doxology, you may opt to recite the following prayer, which was requested by the Blessed Mother 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. Begin the second decade as you did the first, announcing the second mystery.

9. At the conclusion of the final decade, recite the Hail, Holy Queen.

10. Generally, depending on the liturgical season, the Joyful Mysteries are prayed on Monday and Saturday; the Sorrowful Mysteries are prayed on Tuesday and Friday; the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday; and the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday.

Catholic Prayers

The 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, creator of heaven and earth.  I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.  He descended to the dead.  On the third day He rose again.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.  Amen.

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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.

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The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art though 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.

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The Doxology

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.

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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 towards 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.

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Mysteries of the Rosary

The Five Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation:  Humility

And when the angel had come to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women."  (Luke 1:28)

The Visitation:  Love of Neighbor

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: "Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb."  (Luke 1:41-42)

The Birth of Jesus:  Poverty

She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged.  (Luke 2:7)

The Presentation:  Obedience

When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it was written in the law of the Lord, "Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord."  (Luke 2: 22-23)

Finding the child Jesus in the Temple:  Joy in finding Jesus

On the third day they came upon Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  (Luke 2:46)

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The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden:  Sorrow for Sin

In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.  Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief.  (Luke 22: 44-45)

The Scourging at the Pillar:  Purity

Pilate's next move was to take Jesus and have Him scourged.  (John 19:1)

Crowning with Thorns:  Courage

They stripped off His robes and wrapped Him in a scarlet military cloak.  Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on his head, and stuck a reed in His right hand.  (Matthew 27:28-29)

Carrying of the Cross:  Patience

.carrying the cross by Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).  (John 19:17)

The Crucifixion:  Perseverance

Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."  After He said this, He expired.  (Luke 23:46)

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The Five Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection:  Faith

You need not be afraid! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was crucified.  He has been raised up; He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him.  (Mark 16:6)

The Ascension:  Hope

Then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at God's right hand.  (Mark 16:19)

Descent of the Holy Spirit:  Love of God

All were filled with the Holy Spirit.  They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.  (Acts 2:4)

The Assumption:  Grace of a Happy Death

You are the glory of Jerusalem. You are the splendid boast of our people. God is pleased with what you have wrought.   May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty forever and ever.  (Judith 15:9-10)

The Coronation:  Trust in Mary's Intercession

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)

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The Five Luminous Mysteries

Baptism of Jesus:  Openness to the Holy Spirit

And when Jesus was baptized, .the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven, saying "this is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."  (Matthew 3:16-17)

Wedding at Cana:  To Jesus Through Mary

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you."  .Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water."  And they filled them up to the brim.  (John 2:5-7)

Proclaiming the Kingdom:  Repentance and Trust in God

"And preach as you go, saying, 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand,' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.  You received without pay, give without pay."  (Matthew 10:7-8)

Transfiguration:  Desire for Holiness

And He was praying, the appearance of His countenance was altered and His raiment became dazzling white.  And a voice came out of the cloud saying, "This is My Son, My chosen; listen to Him!"  (Luke 9:29, 35)

Institution of the Eucharist:  Adoration

And He took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you."  .And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."  (Luke 22:19-20)

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