How to Pray the Holy Rosary

The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.

The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.

Prayers of the Rosary

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 rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

from there he will 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 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 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.

The 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.

The Glory Be (The Doxology)

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

The Hail Holy Queen (The Salve Regina)

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you we cry, poor banished children of Eve;

to you we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn, then, most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us;

and after this, our exile,

show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Mysteries of the Rosary

The Church has used three sets of mysteries for many centuries. In 2002 Pope John Paul II proposed a fourth set of mysteries—the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries. According to his suggestion, the four sets of mysteries might be prayed on the following days: the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday, and the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
   Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

2. The Visitation
   Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.

3. The Nativity
   Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.

4. The Presentation
   Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.

5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
   Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Mysteries of Light

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
   God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.

2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
   At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
   Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.

4. The Transfiguration of Jesus
   Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.

5. The Institution of the Eucharist
   Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden
   Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.

2. The Scourging at the Pillar
   Jesus is lashed with whips.

3. The Crowning With Thorns
   Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.

4. The Carrying of the Cross
   Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him.

5. The Crucifixion
   Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection
   God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.

2. The Ascension
   Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.

3. The Coming of the Holy Spirit
   The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples.

4. The Assumption of Mary
   At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.

5. The Coronation of Mary
   Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.