The Rosary
The purpose of the Rosary, however, is not to recite rote prayers, but to repeat prayers you know by heart as you contemplate, actively meditate on, a Mystery of Christianity. There have been three series of Mysteries. Pope St. John Paul II has added the Luminous Mysteries, which encompass Christ's Ministry on earth.
"The Rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the Rosary is beyond description.” (Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
“Our LORD, in His wondrous Providence, allows children to break the hearts of devout fathers and mothers. Thus the decisions your children have made don't make you a failure as a parent in God's eyes. You are entitled to feel sorrow, but not necessarily guilt. Do not cease praying for your children; God's Grace can touch a hardened heart. Commend your children to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. When parents pray the Rosary, at the end of each decade they should hold the Rosary aloft and say to her, "With these beads bind my children to your Immaculate Heart", she will attend to their souls.” (St. Louise de Marillac)
While holding the crucifix make the Sign of the Cross, and then recite the Nicene Creed.
Recite the Our Father on the first large bead.
Recite three Hail Mary's for an increase of faith, hope, and charity on each of the three small beads.
Recite the Glory Be to the Father then the Fatima Prayer on the following large bead.
Recall the first Rosary Mystery, and then recite the Our Father on the large bead.
On the set 10 beads (also referred to as a decade) recite 10 Hail Mary's while reflecting on the mystery previously announced.
On the next large bead, recite the Glory Be to the Father and the Fatima prayer.
Continue with the next Mystery, one Our Father, ten Hail Mary's, one Glory Be, one Fatima prayer in a similar manner until the fifth Mystery is completed.
When the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is Customarily concluded
with the Hail Holy Queen, and the Sign of the Cross.
The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent)
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays, also Sundays during Lent)
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Saturdays, also Sundays from Easter until Advent)
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
The Mysteries of the Body (Mysterium Corpus: Christ’s Body Living in Human's Bodies) (This Mystery is not approved by the Holy Catholic Church and was suggested by S. Kurait) (S. Kurait prays it on Mondays). Click to learn what inspired to suggest the Mystery of the Body
Pray the Rosary
The Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of Heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one LORD Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God, Begotten, not made,
Consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven,
(Profound bow. Genuflect on Christmas and the Annunciation of the LORD.)
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became Man.
(Rise)
For our sake he was Crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right Hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and His Kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the LORD, the giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the Prophets.
I believe in one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the Resurrection of the dead
and the Life of the world to come. Amen.
(Large Bead)
The LORD Prayer:
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.
(On Each of the 10 small Beads)
Hail Mary:
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 at the hour of our death. Amen.
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.
Fatima Prayer:
O my Jesus, forgive us of our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
Pray the Rosary Mysteries
Pray and Reflect on the first Mysteries and after each Mysteries pray One Our Father, 10 Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Fatima Prayer.
At the end of the fifth Mysteries prayers, end the Rosary with the following prayers:
Hail Holy Queen