HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

1. On the crucifix, make the sign of the cross and then

pray the Apostles’ Creed.

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 Ghost, born
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified; died, and was buried. He descended into hell;
on the third day He arose 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 5. On the large bead, meditate on the first mystery and
Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of pray the Our Father.
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the
You pray mysteries for each of the five sections
body, and life everlasting. Amen.
(decades) of the rosary according to the day of the
2. On the next large bead, say the Our Father. week:
THE LORD’S PRAYER THE MYSTERIES OF THE HOLY ROSARY
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; JOYFUL MYSTERIES (Mondays and Saturdays)
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in
The Joyful Mysteries remind the faithful of Christ’s birth:
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive
1. The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin (Luke 1:26–
us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
38);
against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver
2. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St.
us from evil, Amen.
Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–56);
3. On the following three small beads, pray three Hail
3. The Birth of Jesus in the stable (Luke 2:1–21);
Mary’s.
4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22–
THE HAIL MARY
38);
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed
5. The Losing and Finding of the Child Jesus in the
are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
Temple (Luke 2:41–52)
womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesdays and Fridays)

4. On the chain, pray the Glory Be.
GLORY TO THE FATHER
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy
Spirit, as it was, in the beginning is now, and ever shall
be, world without end. Amen.
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 to Calvary (Matthew
27:32);

5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (Matthew 27:33–

56).
 GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Wednesdays and Sundays) HAIL HOLY QUEEN

The Glorious Mysteries focus on the resurrection of
Jesus and the glories of heaven:
1. The Resurrection of Jesus (John 20:1–29);
2. The Ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:36–53);
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the
Apostles (Acts 2:1–41);
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, into
heaven;
5. The Coronation of Mary Most Holy as Queen of
Heaven and Earth.
LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Thursdays)
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail our life, our
sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor
banished children of Eve, to you do 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.
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.

Pope John Paul II added The Mysteries of Light, also Christ, graciously hear us.

known as the Luminous Mysteries, in 2002: God the Father of Heaven,

Have mercy on us.
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13–
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
16);
Have mercy on us.
2. The self-manifestation of Jesus at the wedding of
God the Holy Ghost,
Cana (John 2:1–11);
Have mercy on us.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the Holy Trinity, one God,
Call to Conversion (Mark 1:14–15); Have mercy on us.
4. The Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1–8); Holy Mary,

5. The Institution of the Eucharist as the Sacramental pray for us.

Expression of the Paschal Mystery (Matthew 26). Holy Mother of God,

pray for us.
6. Skip the centerpiece medallion, and on the ten beads
Holy Virgin of virgins,
after that, pray a Hail Mary on each bead; on the chain,
pray for us.
pray a Glory Be. Although a decade is 10, these 12
Mother of Christ,
prayers form a decade of the rosary.
pray for us.
Many Catholics add the Fatima Prayer after the Glory
Mother of divine grace,
Be and before the next Our Father: O My Jesus,
pray for us.
forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell
Mother most pure,
and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in
pray for us.
most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
Mother most chaste,
7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 four more times to finish the next pray for us.
four decades. Mother inviolate,
8. At the end of your Rosary, say the Hail Holy Queen. pray for us.
Mother undefiled, House of gold,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mother most amiable, Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mother most admirable, Gate of Heaven,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, Morning star,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, Health of the sick,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, Refuge of sinners,
pray for us. pray for us.

Virgin most prudent, Comforter of the afflicted,

pray for us. pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, Help of Christians,
pray for us. pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, Queen of angels,
pray for us. pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us. pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, Queen of prophets,
pray for us. pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, Queen of apostles,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mirror of justice, Queen of martyrs,
pray for us. pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, Queen of confessors,
pray for us. pray for us.
Cause of our joy, Queen of virgins,
pray for us. pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, Queen of all saints,
pray for us. pray for us.
Vessel of honor, Queen conceived without Original Sin,
pray for us. pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, Queen assumed into Heaven,
pray for us. pray for us.
Mystical rose, Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us. pray for us.
Tower of David, Queen of peace,
pray for us. pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of
Christ.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we Thy
Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and
body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed
Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow
and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ Our
Lord. Amen.

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 salvation; 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.