To recite the Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ.
St. John Paul II
The Rosary is a form of vocal and meditative prayer on the Mysteries of our Redemption. The Mysteries symbolize important events from the lives of both our Lord and the Blessed Mother. The Rosary was revealed to St. Dominic by the Blessed Mother and began in the 15th century by Alen de Rupe, a Dominican preacher. A Rosary consists of a string of beads and a crucifix. The beads are used to keep track of the prayers so as not to be distracted with counting while meditating on the mysteries.
Listen to the Rosary or Use Video as a Guided Meditation:
• The Joyful Mysteries – Mondays and Saturdays, the Sundays during the Advent Season, Christmas Day, and the Sundays during the Christmas Season.
• The Luminous Mysteries – Thursdays.
• The Sorrowful Mysteries – Tuesdays and Fridays, the Sundays during the Lenten Season, and daily during Holy Week.
• The Glorious Mysteries – Wednesdays and Sundays, Easter Sunday, and the Sundays during the Easter Season.
To Pray the Rosary
- Hold the crucifix and pray the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’ Creed.
- On the single bead pray The Our Father.
- On the next three beads pray three Hail Mary’s (1st: For an Increase of Faith. 2nd: For an Increase of Hope. 3rd: For an Increase of Charity).
- Then pray one Glory Be to the Father.
- On the next single bead, we think about the first mystery and pray The Our Father.
- On the first decade (set of ten beads) we pray a Hail Mary on each bead as we reflect on that mystery. The Glory Be is to be prayed at the end of each set. The Fatima Prayer is often said after the Glory Be.
- Between decades, on the single bead, we think about the next mystery and pray The Our Father.
- Continue praying and meditating on the next four mysteries using the beads as above.
- After the last decade pray the Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer, and the Hail, Holy Queen prayers.
- End by holding the crucifix and pray the Sign of the Cross.
Prayers of the Rosary
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
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.
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.
The 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 our death. Amen.
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.
The Fatima 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. Amen.
The 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 unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ.
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 meditating upon these mysteries in 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.
The Joyful Mysteries
Mondays and Saturdays, the Sundays during the Advent Season, Christmas Day, and the Sundays during the Christmas Season.
- The Annunciation – Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus (Fruit of the Mystery: Humility)
- The Visitation – Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered (Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor)
- The Nativity – Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem (Fruit of the Mystery: Poverty)
- The Presentation – Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God (Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience)
- Finding in the Temple – Jesus is found in the Temple, discussing his faith with the teachers (Fruit of the Mystery: Joy in Finding Jesus)
The Holy Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries
The Luminous Mysteries
Thursdays.
- The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan – God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son (Fruit of the Mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit)
- The Miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana – At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle (Fruit of the Mystery: To Jesus through Mary)
- Proclamation of the Kingdom – Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom of God (Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance and Trust in God)
- The Transfiguration – Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John (The Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness)
- Institution of the Eucharist – Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper (Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration)
The Holy Rosary – The Luminous Mysteries
The Sorrowful Mysteries
Tuesdays and Fridays, the Sundays during the Lenten Season, and daily during Holy Week.
- Agony in the Garden – Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies (Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin)
- Scourging at the Pillar – Jesus is beaten with whips (Fruit of the Mystery: Purity)
- Crowning with Thorns – Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns (Fruit of the Mystery: Courage)
- Carrying of the Cross – Jesus carries the cross on which he will be crucified (Fruit of the Mystery: Patience)
- The Crucifixion – Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies (Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance)
The Holy Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Glorious Mysteries
Wednesdays and Sundays, Easter Sunday, and the Sundays during the Easter Season.
- The Resurrection – God the Father raises Jesus from the dead (Fruit of the Mystery: Faith)
- The Ascension – Jesus returns to his Father in heaven (Fruit of the Mystery: Hope)
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples (Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God)
- The Assumption – At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven (Fruit of the Mystery: Grace of a Happy Death)
- The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth (Fruit of the Mystery: Trust in Mary’s Intercession)
The Holy Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries
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