If you have never prayed the Rosary or have done so infrequently, this will
be a good guide for you. Praying the Rosary is a great way to
reiterate our faith and beliefs, as well as keep us focused on the ultimate
goal of everlasting life with Christ. It's helpful and customary to
have a bead rosary to pray with, but is not necessary. Rosaries can be
found for less than a dollar and sometimes free through Catholic
organizations, or can be made from a simple kite string by tying knots.
Although particular mysteries are usually assigned to particular days of the week, any set of
mysteries can be said at any time. The Rosary may be prayed multiple
times a day too. The prayers said in the Rosary are important prayers
in the Catholic faith. Even if these are new to you, they should
become easy to recite in a short time. In fact, many find the
repetition of the familiar prayers strengthen a meditation-like focus on the
life of Christ and his sacrifices, the role of Mary in Christ's life and our
individual role in the world today.
1. Use the picture to the right to follow how a Rosary is
prayed. We begin
by making the sign of the cross.
In the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Apostle's Creed is next.
This prayer is an outline of the main beliefs of our faith.
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 power of 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 the Father. He will come
again 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 the life everlasting. Amen
2.The
Our Father is
said on the large beads.
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
3.
On each of the next three beads we say a
Hail Mary
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.
4.
The
Doxology or "Glory be to the Father" is said after the three
Hail Mary's
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
5.
The first mystery is read and reflected upon followed by an
Our Father.
6.
Then ten Hail Mary's are prayed. Usually referred to as a
"decade."
7.
The Doxology is said
at the end of each decade followed by the 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.
This prayer is said at the request of the Blessed Virgin Mary
when she appeared at Fatima.
8. Complete the next four mysteries in
the same manner. The large bead signifies the next mystery is to be
recited or announced followed by an Our Father.
Another decade of Hail Mary's is prayed, followed by the Doxology and the Fatima prayer.
9.
Pray the Hail Holy Queen at the conclusion of the Rosary.
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 send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears; turn, then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy towards 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.
Other common prayers at the end of the Rosary include:
The Memorare:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never wasit known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come; before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the word Incarnate! Despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael:
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Closing Prayer
O God, whose only-begotten Son by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech The, that by meditating upon 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
The Mysteries and Audio Rosary
Below are the four groups of Mysteries of the Rosary and the days of the week when they are usually prayed.
AUDIO ROSARY
Download all four for FREE!
Take it with you on an
MP3 player or burn
to disk for in the car, listen online, or on the computer.
Select the
to listen live, or right click to save to your computer.
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Joyful Mysteries | Mondays & Saturdays |
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Sorrowful Mysteries | Tuesdays & Fridays |
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Glorious Mysteries | Wednesday & Sundays |
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Luminous Mysteries | Thursdays |
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Joyful Mysteries |
Sorrowful Mysteries |
Glorious Mysteries |
Luminous Mysteries |
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The Annunciation |
The Agony in the
Garden |
The Resurrection |
The Baptism of Jesus |
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The Visitation |
The Scourging at the
Pillar |
The Ascension |
Wedding at Cana |
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The Birth of Jesus |
Crowning with Thorns |
Descent of the |
Proclaiming the
Kingdom |
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The Presentation |
Carrying of the
Cross |
The Assumption |
Transfiguration |
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Finding the Child |
The Crucifixion |
The Coronation |
Institution of the
Eucharist |