Rosary - Praying

How to Pray the Holy Rosary

A Rosary proper is made up of groups of ten beads, or decades, each of which constitutes one of the mysteries of the Rosary. The mysteries are those events in the lives of Jesus and His Mother which the Church proposes for our meditation, in order that we deepen our understanding of salvation and grow in the imitation of their virtue. 

The typical rosary, both in physical construction and in practice, consists of 5 decades (50 Hail Marys). The 5 decade rosary is what is usually meant in practice (a personal, parish or family rosary), and in requests of the Blessed Virgin for the praying of the rosary—as at Lourdes and Fátima. A complete rosary consists of 15 decades (the three traditional mysteries—Joyful, Sorrowful & Glorious), or 20 decades (including the Luminous Mysteries introduced by Pope St. John Paul II).

In addition, as Pope John Paul II noted in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, it has become “customary” to say prayers before the decades, and also in conclusion. These are said on the Crucifix and the group of one plus three beads hanging from the centerpiece of the Rosary. As customary prayers they are to that extent also optional, or, others may be freely chosen. They do in fact vary from place to place, though the pattern suggested below is a common one.

The Preparatory Prayers

Starting on the Crucifix, we call to mind our Redemption and the truths of the Faith.

1. Holding the Crucifix make the Sign of the Cross, praying: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” One may choose to kiss the Crucifix, as well. 

2. Still on the Crucifix profess the Apostles Creed. “I believe in God, the Father Almighty . . .”

On the group of 4 beads, honor the Holy Trinity, One God and Three Divine Persons. On the three Hail Mary beads, one may also ask successively for an increase of Faith, of Hope and of Charity, the three theological virtues (1 Cor. 13).  

3. On the first, single, bead, pray the Our Father.

4. On the group of three beads, pray three Hail Marys.

5. On the space after the beads pray the Glory Be.

Prayer and Meditation on the Mysteries

On the 5 groups of 10 beads, or decade, a distinct mystery from the lives of Jesus and Mary is honored. A complete Rosary of 20 decades is composed of 5 Joyous Mysteries, 5 Luminous Mysteries, 5 Sorrowful Mysteries, and 5 Glorious Mysteries.  At Fatima, the Blessed Virgin asked for a Terço every day for peace, using the Portuguese word for a “third” of the traditional 15 decade rosary, that is, 5 decades of the rosary composed of one of the groups of mysteries. This remains the case, even though Pope St. John Paul II in 2002 added a fourth set of mysteries, the Luminous.

One may freely say a single set of mysteries each day (or once around the beads), or a complete rosary of 15 or 20 decades. One may pray any set of mysteries, or follow the traditional pattern. Finally, the rosary may be prayed at one time, or spread throughout the day, as well as prayed in church, at home, or anywhere, as time and opportunity allows. 

On the Decades

Announce the first Mystery. If possible, make a short meditation on the subject matter (e.g., The Anninciation). One can use the applicable Scriptures, books created for this purpose (see EWTN's Religious Catalogue store), or simply reflect on the scene, or one's relationship to the scene, such as one's weaknesses for which one should imitate Jesus and Mary.  

1. On the single bead (the centerpiece serves this purpose for the 1st decade), an Our Father

2. On each of the ten beads, a Hail Mary

3, On the space after the decade, the Glory Be.  

4. Finally, the Fátima Prayer.  While the “Decade Prayer” is not a formal part of the Rosary, it has become customary to pray it as requested in 1917 by Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima.

This pattern is then repeated for each of the subsequent mysteries of the Rosary.

The Concluding Prayers

After completed all the decades, it is usual to say the Hail, Holy Queen, and other prayers according to custom—though, as noted above, these are not formally part of the Rosary, nor obligatory. They are given in the customary order.

1. Hail Holy Queen, with its Versicle and Response.

2. The Rosary Prayer

3. St. Michael's Prayer

4. Prayers for the intentions of the Pope. This is necessary to gain the Plenary Indulgence attached to the Rosary said in a group. It may be the Creed and an Our Father, or an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, or even other prayers for his intention. A partial Indulgence is gained by an individual who says the Rosary.  

5. Sacred and Immaculate Heart Prayers.  

(At Fatima Our Lady said that God desired these devotions alongside each other.)

The Rosary is then concluded as it began, With the Sign of the Cross.

Texts of the Prayers

The Creed

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

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.

Hail Mary

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 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.

The Fátima Prayer

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.

Salve Regina (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 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 us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Versicle & Response

V.  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

The Rosary Prayer

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise through Christ our Lord, Amen.  

Other Commonly Used Prayers

Prayer to St. Michael

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

Prayers for the Pope

Required for the Plenary Indulgence granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the Marian rosary in a church or oratory, in a family, religious community, association of the faithful or gathered together for some honest purpose. Also, joining the Holy Father's recitation by radio or TV. It must be five decades continuously prayed, together with, or joined to, meditation on the mysteries. A partial indulgence otherwise. (Apostolic Penitentiary, Manual of Indulgences, 2006, Grant 17)

The Prayer for the intention of Pope is satisfied by an Our Father and Hail Mary, or “any other prayer accoding to individual piety and dvotion, if recited for this purpose.” (Manual, norm 20, 5.)

Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

(optionally)  Just Heart of Joseph, pray for us.