How to Pray the Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Rosary is a cherished prayer in the Catholic tradition, inviting the faithful to meditate on pivotal events in the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. This meditative practice combines vocal prayers with deep reflection, fostering spiritual growth and a closer connection to the divine.

Understanding the Structure of the Rosary

The Rosary is divided into five decades, each consisting of ten "Hail Mary" prayers. Each decade is associated with a specific mystery, encouraging contemplation on significant moments from the Gospels. The mysteries are categorized into four sets:

1. The Joyful Mysteries: Focus on the early life of Jesus.

2. The Sorrowful Mysteries: Reflect on the Passion and death of Christ.

3. The Glorious Mysteries: Celebrate the Resurrection and the glory of heaven.

4. The Luminous Mysteries: Highlight events from Jesus' public ministry.

Step-by-Step Guide to Praying the Rosary

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross: While holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and recite the Apostles' Creed. citeturn0search0

2. First Large Bead: Pray the "Our Father."

3. Next Three Small Beads: Recite three "Hail Marys," traditionally for the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

4. Following Chain: Pray the "Glory Be."

5. Announce the First Mystery: Reflect on the appropriate mystery for the day and recite the "Our Father."

6. First Decade: On the next ten beads, pray ten "Hail Marys," meditating on the announced mystery.

7. Conclude the Decade: Recite the "Glory Be." Optionally, add the "O My Jesus" prayer, also known as the Fatima Prayer.

8. Subsequent Mysteries: Repeat steps 5-7 for the remaining four mysteries.

9. Closing Prayers: After completing all five decades, conclude with the "Hail, Holy Queen" and any additional prayers, followed by the Sign of the Cross.

Daily Mysteries Schedule

To enrich the prayer experience, the Church recommends specific mysteries for each day:

- **Monday and Saturday**: Joyful Mysteries

- **Tuesday and Friday**: Sorrowful Mysteries

- **Wednesday and Sunday**: Glorious Mysteries

- **Thursday**: Luminous Mysteries

**Benefits of Praying the Rosary**

Engaging in the Rosary offers numerous spiritual benefits:

- **Deepened Meditation**: Fosters contemplation on the life of Christ.

- **Spiritual Peace**: Provides comfort and serenity through repetitive prayer.

- **Community Connection**: Unites individuals in a shared tradition of devotion.

For a visual and guided experience, you might find this video helpful:

videoHow to Pray the Rosary with Bishop Barronturn0search13 

When to pray the mystery 

Sunday: The GLORİOUS Mystery 

Monday: The JOYFUL Mystery

Tuesday: The SORROWFUL Mystery 

Wednesday: The GLORiOUS Mystery 

Thursday: The LUMİNOUS Mystery 

Friday: The SORROWFUL Mystery 

Saturday: The JOYFUL Mystery 

 

What prayers do we use when praying the Rosary?

Sign of the Cross

In the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit.  

Amen.

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 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Fatima Prayer

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.

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.

Rosary Prayer