The Rosary

The Rosary is a prayer kept by the Church for many centuries. It has a long tradition concerning the benefits received by the Church, Communities, persons and even History. It has been written about eloquently by many of the Saints. It has also been endorsed by many, many saints and popes as well as included as part of their own personal devotions. 

The Rosary helps keep in memory certain principal events in the history of our salvation. There are twenty mysteries in the Rosary, and these are divided into the five Joyful Mysteries (Monday and Saturday), the five Luminous Mysteries (Thursday), the five Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday and Friday), and the five Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday and Sunday). As an exception, the Joyful Mysteries may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas, while the Sorrowful Mysteries may be said on the Sundays of Lent.

The steps to praying the Rosary are:

1.     Make the Sign of the Cross and say the “Apostles’ Creed”

2.     Say the “Our Father”

3.     Say three “Hail Marys” for Faith, Hope, and Charity

4.     Say the “Glory Be”

5.     Announce the First Mystery and then say the “Our Father”

6.     Say ten “Hail Marys” while meditating on the Mystery

7.     Say the “Glory Be” (Optional: Say the “O My Jesus” prayer requested by Mary at Fatima)

8.     Announce the Next Mystery; then say the “Our Father” and repeat these steps (6 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.

9.     Say the closing prayers: the “Hail Holy Queen” and “Final Prayer”

10.  Make the “Sign of the Cross”