Pray the rosary

How to Pray the Rosary, including Rosary Prayers and Mysteries of the Rosary. You can count on your fingers, or use a set of rosary beads...

Method of Praying the Rosary Make the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostles Creed Say the Our Father. Say three Hail Marys. Say the Glory be to the Father. Announce the First Mystery; then say the Our Father. Say ten Hail Marys, while meditating on the Mystery. Say the Glory be to the Father. Announce the Second Mystery; then say the Our Father. Repeat 6 and 7 and continue with Third, Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner. After the Rosary: Pray the Hail Holy Queen.

Prayers of the Rosary

The Sign of the Cross

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

The sign of the cross is both an action and a statement of faith. A physical reminder of our redemption in the cross and an epxression of faith in the Trinity.

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The 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 arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall 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.

The Apostles Creed, dating back to the early church, is a profession of the fundamental truths of our faith. An ancient tradition held that on the day of Pentecost, the Apostles composed this Creed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Although this prayer was probably not composed as we know it by the Apostles themselves, it nonetheless reflects their teachings, as well as those found in the New Testament.

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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.

The Lord's Prayer 'is truly the summary of the whole of the Gospel'. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2761)

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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.

The first part of the Hail Mary is biblical drawn from Gabriel's greeting to Mary at the Annunciation and Elizabeth's greeting at the Visitation. The second part of the prayer has its origins in 15th century Italy.

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Glory be to the Father

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.

The prayer is a doxology - which is a short expression of praise of the Trinity, and dates back to the Early Church.

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Hail Holy Queen

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail, 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!

In Latin, Salve Regina, this Marian hymn is traditionally sung at Compline (night prayers), from the end of Eastertide to the beginning of Advent.

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The Mysteries of the Rosary

(Bible references in brackets, plus recommended days for saying the mysteries)

The Joyful Mysteries:(Mondays, Thursdays)*

1st Mystery: The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)

2nd Mystery: The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56)

3rd Mystery: The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)

4th Mystery: The Presentation (Luke 2:22-38)

5th Mystery: The Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays in Lent)*

1st Mystery: The Agony in the Garden (Matt. 26:36-56)

2nd Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar (Matt. 27:26)

3rd Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns (Matt. 27:27-31)

4th Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross (Matt. 27:32)

5th Mystery: The Crucifixion (Matt. 27:33-56)

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays)*

1st Mystery: The Resurrection (John 20:1-29)

2nd Mystery: The Ascension (Luke 24:36-53)

3rd Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-41)

4th Mystery: The Assumption of Our Lady

5th Mystery: The Coronation of Our Lady

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