How to Pray the Rosary
Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
Few people realize that the Sign of the Cross is a prayer, and there is a
partial indulgence for those who devoutly cross themselves while saying the
words.
Sign of the Cross
In
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the sign of the cross, say the
Apostle's Creed. This is how we declare our Catholic faith, by stating our
beliefs. The Apostle's Creed was compiled from the teachings of the apostles.
Apostle's Creed (New Translation)
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.
Say one Our Father.
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 Mary prayers (for an
increase in faith, hope, and charity.)
Hail Mary
Hail
Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed are 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.
Say the Glory Be.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen.
Now it's time to delve into the
heart of your meditation!
·
Announce the first mystery for the current day.
For example, if you are praying the Joyful Mysteries, the first mystery is The
Annunciation.
·
Say one Our Father.
·
Say ten Hail Mary prayers while meditating on
the mystery.
·
Say one Glory Be.
·
Repeat this sequence for remaining mysteries.
Once you are finished, you can say the
Concluding Prayers. Typically, these consist of a Hail, Holy Queen and a prayer
that seems to be known only as the Let Us Pray.
At the very end, finish your prayer time with the Sign of the Cross.
Hail, Holy Queen
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 sorrows,
weeping and mourning in this vale* of tears. Turn then, O Gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O
clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us Oh Mother of God, that we
may be made worth of the promises of Christ. Amen.
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 by 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.
Optional but highly suggested prayers!
There are additional prayers that
are often said throughout and at the end of the Rosary. Usually the Fatima prayer is prayed after
every Glory Be. There is a second Fatima Prayer that the Blessed Mother gave to
the three children at Fatima, and this can be said at the end of the
Rosary. The Memorare is also an
important prayer to include when your Rosary is finished. Blessed Teresa of
Calcutta, more popularly known as Mother Teresa, used to say three Memorare
prayers when she didn't have time to say the Rosary but had an important
request. For a big finish, requesting St. Michael's protection is always a good
idea.
Fatima Prayer
Oh
my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls
to heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy. Amen.
Memorare
Remember,
O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to
thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left
unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto 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.
Fatima Prayer #2
"My
God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I beg pardon of You for those
who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You."
Prayer to St. Michael
Finally, many Catholics pray an Our
Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the pope.
The Mysteries
Joyful (Say on Monday and Saturday)
·
The Annunciation
·
The Visitation
·
The Nativity
·
The Presentation of Our Lord
·
Finding Jesus in the Temple
Sorrowful (Say on Tuesday and Friday)
·
The Agony in the Garden
·
The Scourging at the Pillar
·
The Crowning with Thorns
·
The Carrying of the Cross
·
The Crucifixion
Glorious (Say on Wednesday and Sunday)
·
The Resurrection
·
The Ascension
·
The Descent of the Holy Ghost
·
The Assumption
·
The Coronation of Mary
Luminous (Say on Thursday)
·
The Baptism of Jesus
·
The Wedding at Cana
·
Proclamation of the Gospel
·
The Transfiguration
·
Institution of the Eucharist
