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How to Pray the Rosary


On the 5 decades (sets of 10 beads) of a rosary, we pray and meditate on the corresponding set of 5 Mysteries from the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, or the Luminous Mysteries.


Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
 
Say the "Apostles Creed." 
 
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
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 the life everlasting.
Amen. 
 
Say the "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.
 

Say three "Hail Marys." 
 
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. 
 
Say the "Glory be to the Father." 
 
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. 


Announce the First Mystery; then say the "Our Father."

Say ten "Hail Marys," while meditating on the Mystery.

Say the "Glory be to the Father."
After each decade say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy."  
 
Continue with the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Mysteries in the same manner.

Say the 'Hail, Holy Queen' on the medal after the five decades are completed. 
 
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 vale of tears;
turn, then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us,
and after this, our exile,
show unto 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. 
 

Daily Mystery Meditations

The Mysteries traditionally adhere to certain days of the week.
Monday: Joyful
Tuesday: Sorrowful
Wednesday: Glorious
Thursday: Luminous
Friday: Sorrowful
Saturday: Joyful
Sunday: Glorious

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