How to Pray the Rosary

Reciting the Rosary

The following image of the Catholic Rosary was made freely available by www.newadvent.org.

1. Begin by making the sign of the cross. Then say the Apostle's Creed.
2. Recite the Our Father.
3. Recite a Hail Mary on each of these three beads asking for faith, hope, and charity.
4. Recite the Glory Be followed by the Our Father. Then announce or focus on the first mystery depending on the day of the week as explained below.
5. Say 10 Hail Mary's, one for each bead of the decade.
6. Say a Glory Be and a Fatima Prayer. Then announce or meditate on the second mystery. Finally say the Lord's Prayer.
7. 10 Hail Mary's.
8. Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, Meditate on the third Mystery, and say the Lord's Prayer.
9. 10 Hail Mary's.
10. Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, Meditate on the fourth Mystery, and say the Lord's Prayer.
11. 10 Hail Mary's.
12. Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, Meditate on the fifth Mystery, and say the Lord's Prayer.
13. 10 Hail Mary's.
14. Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, Hail Holy Queen, and then the Rosary Prayer. End with making the Sign of the Cross.

On Monday and Saturday, meditate on the "Joyful Mysteries"

First Decade (Steps 9-22): The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
Second Decade (Steps 23-36): The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
Third Decade (Steps 37-50): The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)
Fourth Decade (Steps 51-64): The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
Fifth Decade (Steps 65-78): The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

On Thursday, meditate on the "Luminous Mysteries"

First Decade: The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
Second Decade: The Wedding at Cana, when Christ manifested Himself (Jn 2:1-11)
Third Decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
Fourth Decade: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8)
Fifth Decade: The Last Supper, when Our Lord gave us the Holy Eucharist (Mt 26)

On Tuesday and Friday, meditate on the "Sorrowful Mysteries"

First Decade: The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
Second Decade: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
Third Decade: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
Fourth Decade: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
Fifth Decade: The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)

On Wednesday and Sunday, meditate on the "Glorious Mysteries"

First Decade: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
Second Decade: The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
Third Decade: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
Fourth Decade: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Fifth Decade: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

Mary has not only given the world the Rosary but also the Scapular and the Miraculous Medal, one of the Catholic Medals that many wear in devotion to Mary.

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