How to Pray the Rosary
The Rosary is a way of praying with Mary while reflecting on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The repeated prayers create a steady rhythm in which to become still and think about each mystery.
The Rosary is especially associated with Catholic tradition. Anyone may use this guide. Beads are helpful but not essential, and you may begin with one decade rather than the whole Rosary. Prayer is not a test of memory or performance.
Rosary beads
A Rosary has a cross, a few opening beads and five groups of ten beads called decades. Each decade helps you keep a steady rhythm while you reflect on one mystery from the life of Christ.
A complete five-decade Rosary
- Make the Sign of the Cross.
- Pray the Apostles' Creed.
- Pray one Our Father.
- Pray three Hail Marys.
- Pray the Glory Be.
- Choose one set of mysteries.
- For each of the five mysteries: name the mystery, pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be and the optional Fatima Prayer.
- Pray the Hail Holy Queen and the concluding prayer.
- End with the Sign of the Cross if you wish.
One decade
- Choose one mystery.
- Pray one Our Father.
- Pray ten Hail Marys slowly.
- Pray the Glory Be.
- Add the optional Fatima Prayer if you wish.
Mysteries
The common weekly pattern is Monday and Saturday: Joyful; Tuesday and Friday: Sorrowful; Wednesday and Sunday: Glorious; Thursday: Luminous. This schedule is a custom, not a barrier to prayer.
- The Annunciation: Mary receives the angel's message and trusts God's word.
- The Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth and Christ is recognised with joy.
- The Birth of Jesus: Jesus is born among the poor and welcomed as Saviour.
- The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: Jesus is offered to God and recognised as light.
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: Jesus is found in his Father's house.
- The Baptism of Jesus: Jesus stands with sinners and the Father calls him beloved.
- The Wedding at Cana: Jesus reveals his glory and brings joy.
- Jesus Proclaims the Kingdom of God: Jesus calls people to repent and believe the good news.
- The Transfiguration: Jesus shines with divine glory before his disciples.
- The Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus gives himself to his people in love.
- The Agony in the Garden: Jesus prays in sorrow and gives himself to the Father's will.
- The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus suffers cruelty without returning hatred.
- The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is mocked as king and remains faithful.
- Jesus Carries the Cross: Jesus carries the weight of suffering for the world.
- The Crucifixion: Jesus dies in love and entrusts himself to the Father.
- The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead and brings new life.
- The Ascension: Jesus returns to the Father and remains Lord of all.
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit strengthens the Church for witness.
- The Assumption of Mary: Mary is received into the fullness of life with God.
- The Coronation of Mary: Mary is honoured as Queen because of God's grace.
Prayers in full
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 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 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 in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins.
Save us from the fires of hell.
Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you we turn in our need; to you we lift our prayer in this life of sorrow.
Turn your merciful eyes towards us, and after this life show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb.
O gentle, loving and holy Mary, pray for us, that we may receive the promises of Christ. Amen.
Lord God, by the life, death and resurrection of your Son, you have opened the way to eternal life.
As we have remembered these mysteries in the Rosary, help us to follow Jesus more closely and to live in your grace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.