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Praying the Rosary

With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty of the face of Christ and to experience the depth of his love.  Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.  

St. John Paul II (Rosarium Virginis Mariae)

 

The Rosary, simple, yet profound, is a prayer loved by countless saints and faithful throughout history and encouraged by the Church.  Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Rosarium Virginis Mariae, described the rosary as a prayer that is clearly Marian in character and yet is at heart a Christocentric prayer.  In its elements it is scripture-based and has “all of the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety” and is “an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnifiat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb.”  (RVM, 1)

Watch Bishop Barron’s instruction on How to Pray the Rosary and join him in praying the rosary with the beautiful videos from Word on Fire found down below.  We have also added an outline of the Rosary and the prayers for easy access.   

Praying the Rosary involves praying a number of different prayers and focusing on different mysteries on Christ and the graces that he has given to the world.  

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.

Here is the basic outline of how to pray the Rosary: 

  1. Make the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles’ Creed.
  3. On the first bead, say an Our Father.
  4. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.
  5. Say the Glory Be
  6. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.
  7. 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 following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima)
  8. After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen, followed by the final prayer.  End with the Sign of the Cross.
 
 
 
 
 

The Prayers of the Rosary

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen.

 
 
 
 
 
 

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy. Amen.

 
 
 
 
 

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 unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.

 
 
 
 
 

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 while meditating on 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.

 
 
 
 
 
 

These prayers are not part of the official rosary, but can be said as additional devotional prayers at the end of the Rosary.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
Oh Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the divine power of God,
cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl around the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

For the intentions of the Holy Father

Catholics who say the rosary in a group, or, individually before the Blessed Sacrament, may gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions, which includes prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

One Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Said on Mondays, Saturdays (except during Lent), and the Sundays from Advent to Lent.  

The Joyful Mysteries:  

  1. The Annunciation
  2. The Visitation
  3. The Birth of Our Lord
  4. The Presentation
  5. The Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple
 

Said on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the year, and every day from Ash Wednesday until Easter.

The Sorrowful Mysteries:

  1. The Agony in the Garden
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar
  3. The Crowning with Thorns
  4. The Carrying of the Cross
  5. The Crucifixion
 Said on Wednesdays (except during Lent) and the Sundays from Easter to Advent.   

The Glorious Mysteries:

  1. The Resurrection
  2. The Ascension
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
  4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  5. the Crowning of The Blessed Virgin Mary

Said on Thursdays (except during Lent). 

The Luminous Mysteries:

  1. The Baptism of Jesus
  2. The Wedding at Cana
  3. The Proclamation of the kingdom
  4. The Transfiguration
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist.

Searching for the Rosary Mysteries in the Bible

The Joyful Mysteries:

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.” – Luke 1:26-27

Fruit of the mystery: Humility

 
 
 
 
 
 

“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’” – Luke 1:39-42

Fruit of the mystery: Love of Neighbor

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:1-7

Fruit of the mystery: Poverty

 
 
 
 

“When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,’ and to offer the sacrifice of ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,’ in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.” – Luke 2:21-24

Fruit of the mystery: Purity of Heart and Body

 
 
 
 
 

“Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,  and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” – Luke 2:41-47  

Fruit of the mystery: Devotion to Jesus

 
 
 
 

The Sorrowful Mysteries:  

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.’ He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.’” – Matthew 26:36-39

Fruit of the mystery: Obedience to God’s Will

 

“Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.” – Matthew 27:26

Fruit of the mystery: Mortification

 

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” – Matthew 27:27-29

Fruit of the mystery: Courage

 

“They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. They brought him to the place of Golgotha (which is translated Place of the Skull).” – Mark 15:21-22  

Fruit of the mystery: Patience

 
 

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.’] They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, ‘He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.’ Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, ‘If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription that read, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’ Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.’ The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, ‘Have you no fear of God,for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

“It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last.” – Luke 23:33-46  

Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow for our Sins

 

Glorious Mysteries

“But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.’” – Luke 24:1-5

Fruit of the mystery: Faith

 

“So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.” – Mark 16:19  

Fruit of the mystery: Hope

 

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” – Acts 2:1-4

Fruit of the mystery: Wisdom

 
 

“Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” – Luke 1:48-49

Fruit of the mystery: Devotion to Mary

 
 

“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” – Revelation 12:1

Fruit of the mystery: Grace of a happy death

 

The Luminous Mysteries

“After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” – Matthew 3:16-17

Fruit of the mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit

 
 
 

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ [And] Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’” – John 2:1-5

Fruit of the mystery: To Jesus through Mary

 

“’This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15  

Fruit of the mystery: Conversion

 
 

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.” – Matthew 17:1-2

Fruit of the mystery: Desire for holiness

 
 

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’” – Matthew 26:26  

Fruit of the mystery: Adoration