Saying the Rosary

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Make the Sign of the Cross.

  1. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.

  2. On the first bead, say an Our Father.

  3. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.

  4. Say the Glory Be

  5. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.

  6. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
    (After finishing each decade, some say the Fatima Invocation)

  7. After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by concluding prayer. Text for these prayers is below.

MYSTERIES AND DAYS OF THE WEEK

You pray mysteries for each of the five sections (decades) of the rosary according to the day of the week:

Mondays and Saturdays:

The Joyful Mysteries remind the faithful of Christ’s birth:

  1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26–38)

  2. The Visitation (Luke 1:39–56)

  3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1–21)

  4. The Presentation (Luke 2:22–38)

  5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–52)

Tuesdays and Fridays:

The Sorrowful Mysteries recall Jesus’ passion and death:

  1. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden (Matthew 26:36–56)

  2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)

  3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27–31)

  4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:32)

  5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33–56).

Wednesdays and Sundays:

The Glorious Mysteries focus on the resurrection of Jesus and the glories of heaven:

  1. The Resurrection (John 20:1–29)

  2. The Ascension (Luke 24:36–53)

  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–41)

  4. The Assumption of Mary, the Mother of God, into heaven

  5. The Coronation of Mary in heaven.

Thursdays:

Pope John Paul II added The Mysteries of Light, also known as the Luminous Mysteries, in 2002:

  1. The Baptism in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13–16)

  2. The Wedding Feast at Cana (John 2:1–11)

  3. The Preaching of the coming of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15)

  4. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8)

  5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matthew 26).

PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY

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; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall 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.

Our Father
Our Father who art heaven, hallowed be your 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.

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 and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy. 

Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that, 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.

Alae Taule'alo