How to pray the Rosary
The Rosary is a popular devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. By praying the Rosary, we pray with Mary and we ask her to pray for us. The main part of the Rosary is to recite five sets of ten Hail Marys (each set is called a decade).
Saying a five-decade Rosary is connected with meditation, or solemn reflection, on what are called the mysteries of the life of Jesus. These mysteries too are collected into sets of five—five joyful, five luminous, five sorrowful, and five glorious mysteries.
When you pray the Rosary, choose one set of mysteries to meditate on while saying the decades of Hail Marys. With a little practice, praying the Rosary regularly can be a source of great inspiration and consolation.
How to pray the Rosary
- Begin by making the Sign of the Cross. Then pray the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the first bead, say an Our Father.
- On the next 3 beads, say a Hail Mary, finish with one Glory Be.
- On the next single bead, name the first Mystery, then say an Our Father.
- On the next ten beads, say a Hail Mary, finish with one Glory Be.
- On the next single bead, name the second Mystery, then say an Our Father.
- On the next ten beads, say a Hail Mary, finish with one Glory Be.
- On the next single bead, name the third Mystery, then say an Our Father.
- On the next ten beads, say a Hail Mary, finish with one Glory Be.
- On the next single bead, name the fourth Mystery, then say an Our Father.
- On the next ten beads, say a Hail Mary, finish with one Glory Be.
- On the next single bead, name the fifth Mystery, then say an Our Father.
- On the next ten beads, say a Hail Mary, finish with one Glory Be.
- Finish by making the Sign of the Cross.
The Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries (prayed on Monday and Saturday)
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Birth of Our Lord
- The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
- The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The Luminous Mysteries (prayed on Thursday)
- The Baptism of Jesus
- Jesus Reveals Himself in the Miracle at Cana
- Jesus Proclaims the Good News of the Kingdom of God
- The Transfiguration of Jesus
- The Institution of the Eucharist
The Sorrowful Mysteries (prayed on Tuesday and Friday)
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning of Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
The Glorious Mysteries (prayed on Sunday and Wednesday)
- The Resurrection of Jesus
- The Ascension of Jesus
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
- The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven
Download a Free How-To Guide
How to pray the Rosary with kids from The Catholic Children’s Bible
A guide for praying the rosary is also found in The Catholic Children’s Payer Book.
How to pray the Rosary with tweens and teens from The Catholic Youth Bible
A guide for praying the rosary is also found in the Breakthrough! Bible Poster Set for the NABRE and GNT translations.
How to pray the Rosary with kids from The Catholic Children’s Bible
A guide for praying the rosary is also found in The Catholic Children’s Payer Book.
How to pray the Rosary with tweens and teens from The Catholic Youth Bible
A guide for praying the rosary is also found in the Breakthrough! Bible Poster Set for the NABRE and GNT translations.
