Pray the Rosary

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 said. 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 first large bead.
    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 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. A Glory be to the Father is said at the end of each decade followed by this 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 said, followed by the "Glory be to the Father" 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.

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

Other common prayers at the end of the Rosary include:

The Memorare:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it 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

Joyful Mysteries	Sorrowful Mysteries	Glorious Mysteries	Luminous Mysteries
The Annunciation Luke 1: 26-38	The Agony in the Garden Mark 14: 32-42	The Resurrection Mark 16: 1-8	The Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3: 13-17
The Visitation Luke 1: 39-45	The Scourging at the Pillar John 19: 1-6	The Ascension Mark 16: 19-20	Wedding at Cana John 2: 1-12
The Birth of Jesus Luke 2: 4-7	Crowning with Thorns Matthew 27: 28-29	Descent of the Holy Spirit Acts 2: 1-4	Proclaiming the Kingdom Matthew 10: 7-8
The Presentation Luke 2: 22-24	Carrying of the Cross Luke 23: 26-27	The Assumption Revelation 12: 1-6	Transfiguration Luke 9: 28-36
Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple Luke 2: 40-52	The Crucifixion Matthew 27: 33-54	The Coronation Revelation 12: 1-6	Institution of the Eucharist Luke 22: 19-20