A simple Rosary guide.
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How to pray the Rosary
- Begin at the crucifix. Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed.
- Pray the opening prayers. On the first large bead, pray the Our Father. On the next three small beads, pray three Hail Marys for faith, hope, and charity. Then pray the Glory Be.
- Announce the first mystery. Choose one set of five mysteries. Name the first mystery and take a moment to reflect on it.
- Pray one decade. Pray the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and the Glory Be. You may add the Fatima Prayer. Keep the mystery gently in mind as you pray.
- Continue through five mysteries. Repeat the decade for each of the next four mysteries. A decade is ten Hail Marys; a usual five-decade Rosary contains fifty, plus the three opening Hail Marys.
- Close your prayer. Pray the Hail, Holy Queen and the concluding prayer, then finish with the Sign of the Cross.
The mysteries
Joyful Mysteries
Monday & Saturday
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Luminous Mysteries
Thursday
- The Baptism of Jesus
- The Wedding at Cana
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- The Institution of the Eucharist
Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesday & Friday
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
Wednesday & Sunday
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
The prayers
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 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 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.
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.
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.
Concluding Prayer
Let us pray. O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
FreeRosaryBook.com · Free books and a prayer companion · The daily schedule is suggested; you may choose any mysteries.