The Holy Rosary is a meditative Catholic prayer centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, contemplated with Mary. You may offer it for a personal intention, for another person, or for the needs of the Church and the world.
Opening the Rosary
Make the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
On the crucifix, pray the Apostles' Creed. On the first large bead, pray the Our Father. On the next three beads, pray three Hail Marys for an increase in faith, hope, and charity. Finish with the Glory Be.
Prayers of Each Decade
Announce the mystery and pause briefly to contemplate it. Then pray:
- One Our Father.
- Ten Hail Marys.
- One Glory Be.
- The Fatima Prayer, if desired.
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. 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 most in need of thy mercy. Amen.
Joyful Mysteries
Prayed on Mondays and Saturdays.
- The Annunciation.
- The Visitation.
- The Nativity.
- The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
Luminous Mysteries
Prayed on Thursdays.
- The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
- The Wedding Feast at Cana.
- The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
- The Transfiguration.
- The Institution of the Eucharist.
Sorrowful Mysteries
Prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- The Agony in the Garden.
- The Scourging at the Pillar.
- The Crowning with Thorns.
- Jesus Carries the Cross.
- The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.
Glorious Mysteries
Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
- The Resurrection.
- The Ascension.
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit.
- The Assumption of Mary.
- The Coronation of Mary.
After the fifth decade, pray the Hail Holy Queen and present any final intentions. Finish with the Sign of the Cross. The repeated prayers provide a steady rhythm, but the heart of the Rosary is attentive contemplation of Christ.