How to Pray the Rosary

The Holy Rosary is one of three Sacramentals that the Blessed Virgin Mary has given to the Holy Catholic Church. In the thirteenth century, Mary gave the Rosary as a powerful weapon to mankind to combat the evils that were in this world as a result of the spiritual battle that is taking place between Satan and God. Since then, the blessings received through this Sacramental are beyond man's count.

STEP 1: Make the sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

STEP 2: Say the Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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.
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 life everlasting.
Amen.

STEP 3: Say 1 "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.

STEP 4: Say 3 "Hail Mary's":

(For the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity)

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 death.
Amen.

STEP 5: Say 1 "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.

STEP 6: The Rosary Breakdown:

The Holy Rosary consists of 20 decades.

A decade consists of: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's and 1 Glory Be.

To pray an entire Rosary, you must pray 20 times each of the following: the "Our Father," 10 "Hail Mary's" and the "Glory Be" in that order.

The Rosary is been divided into 4 parts of 5 decades each.
Each of the four parts is called a Chaplet.

To pray an entire Chaplet, you must pray 5 times
the "Our Father," 10 "Hail Mary's" and "Glory Be" in that order.

The general practice of Catholic is to commit themselves to
praying one Chaplet per day.

STEP 7: The Mysteries of the Rosary:

While praying a decade, you reflect on a mystery.
There are specific mysteries for each day of the week.

For example, when praying the Holy Rosary on a Monday,
you meditate on the Joyful Mysteries.

During the recitation of first decade,
you meditate on the Annunciation of Mary.
During the recitation of the second decade,
you meditate on the Visitation.
During the recitation of the third decade,
you meditate on the Nativity of Jesus. Etc.

The following is a list of the traditional Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries - Monday and Thursday

1. The Annunciation
Lk. 1:28
Humility

2. The Visitation
Lk. 1:41-2
Charity

3. The Nativity
Lk. 2:7
Poverty

4. The Presentation
Lk. 2:22
Obedience

5. The Finding in the Temple
Lk. 2:46
Piety

The Sorrowful Mysteries - Tuesday and Friday

1. The Agony in the Garden
Lk. 22:44-45
Contrition

2. The Scourging at the Pillar
Jn. 19:1
Purity

3. The Crowning with Thorns
Mt. 27:28-29
Courage

4. The Carrying of the Cross
Jn. 19:17
Patience

5. The Crucifixion
Lk. 23:46
Self-denial

The Glorious Mysteries - Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday

1. The Resurrection
Mk. 16:6
Faith

2. The Ascension
Mk. 16:19
Hope

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:2
Love

4. The Assumption
Judith 15:10-11
Eternal Happiness

5. The Crowning of Mary
Apoc. 12:1
Devotion to Mary


STEP 8: The "Fatima Prayer":

After the completion of one decade, you recide the "Fatima Prayer":

O my Jesus,
forgive us our sins,
save us from the fire of hell,
lead all souls to heaven,
especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

STEP 9: The "Hail Holy Queen":

After the completion of one Chaplet (5 decades which represents 5 mysteries),
you pray the "Hail Holy Queen" prayer.

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 we send up our sighs mourning
and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile
show 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.

STEP 10: The Sign of the Cross:

You conclude the Rosary by doing the Sign of the Cross.

In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.