How to Pray the Rosary

1. The-Mysteries-of-the-Holy-Rosary

2. Rosary: Diagram of Beads and Prayers

3. How-To-Pray_-The-Rosary

4. Rosary Prayer Booklet: fma-rosary-booklet-web-final

5. Resources-on-the-Mysteries-of-the-Holy-Rosary

The Holy Rosary

About: 

To pray the rosary is to recite specific prayers corresponding with particular beads on the string. A rosary is made up of a crucifix, one larger bead, three small beads, another larger bead, and then a medal. After the medal comes to a larger bead again, followed by a group of 10 smaller beads. 

These mysteries represent the significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. The rosary is often used as a guide for other Catholic prayers. These prayers are related to challenges or celebrations in the life of one praying the rosary or on behalf of another for whom the prayers are said.

In 1208 the rosary was given to St. Dominic in an apparition by the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of Prouille. This Marian apparition received the title of Our Lady of the Rosary. The earliest records of the practice of counting prayers among religions of Western culture can be traced to the 11th and 12th centuries. It is believed that people carried small stones or pebbles in their pockets with which to count prayers.

The Steps of Praying the Rosary: 

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed”

1. Say the “Our Father”

1. Say three “Hail Marys” for Faith, Hope, and Charity

1. Say the “Glory Be”

1. Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”

1. Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery

1. Say the “Glory Be” (Optional: Say the “O My Jesus” prayer requested by Mary at Fatima)
2. Announce the Next Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat these steps (6 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.

1. Say the closing prayers: the “Hail Holy Queen” and “Final Prayer”

1.  Make the “Sign of the Cross”

Praying the Rosary: 

• Make the sign of the cross while holding The Crucifix 

1. Pray 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.

1. Hold the First Bead and Single Bead and Pray 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.

1. Hold the Next Three Beads and Pray the 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.

1. Hold the Fourth Bead and Pray 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.

1. Meditate on the First Mystery (According to Week Day): Announce the first Mystery, and imagine the event. Go through the emotions it brings to mind. 

1.  Pray 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.

1. Pray Hail Mary on the First Bead of the Decade (Tenth Bead) and on each following Bead: 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.

1. Pray the Glory Be and Add in the Fatima Invocation if you want: 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. Optional: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.

1. Reflect on the Second Mystery and then Pray the Our Father on the Next Single Bead: 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.

Pray the Hail Mary on the Next Ten Beads, and Repeat this Sequence around the Rosary

1. At the end of the last decade (last ten beads) pray Hail Holy Queen: Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.