1. Preparation
Start by making the sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then recite the Apostle’s 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; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall 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.
Then say 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys (for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity) and then 1 Glory Be:
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.
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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 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.
2. The Rosary Proper
The Rosary is essentially the decades and their associated mysteries, and only these must be prayed to “pray the rosary”, either in satisfaction of Our Lady’s requests, or, to gain the indulgences attached to praying the rosary.
Sunday – “Glorious Mysteries”
Monday – “Joyful Mysteries”
Tuesday – “Sorrowful Mysteries”
Wednesday – “Glorious Mysteries”
Thursday – “Luminous Mysteries”
Friday – “Sorrowful Mysteries”
Saturday – “Joyful Mysteries”
While meditating on the Mysteries, recite:
One Our Father (large beads), 10 Hail Marys (small beads) and 1 Glory Be (before the next large bead) to make a complete decade of the rosary.
After each decade the Fátima Prayer may also be said (Pope Pius XII).
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
3. Concluding Prayers
After the completion of five mysteries (5 decades), or 15 or 20, the following is customarily said:
Hail Holy Queen (or Salve Regina may be sung)
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.
(Verse) Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
(Response) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Rosary Prayer
(Verse) Let us pray,
(Response) 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.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
What is the Significance of the Sign of the Cross in the Rosary Prayer?
The Sign of the Cross is a profound gesture that marks the beginning and end of the Rosary prayer. It is a symbol of our faith, reminding us of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our salvation. As stated in the Bible, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Why is the Apostle’s Creed Recited at the Beginning of the Rosary?
The Apostle’s Creed is a summary of the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith. By reciting it, we profess our faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. It also affirms our belief in the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. As the Bible says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
What is the Purpose of the Hail Mary in the Rosary?
The Hail Mary is a prayer of intercession to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a request for her to pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. The prayer is based on the Angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in Luke 1:28, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,” and Elizabeth’s exclamation in Luke 1:42, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” By praying the Hail Mary, we are asking Mary, the Mother of God, to intercede for us with her Son, Jesus Christ.
How are the Mysteries of the Rosary Integrated into the Prayer?
The Mysteries of the Rosary are meditations on key events in the life of Jesus and Mary. They are divided into four sets: the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries. Each set is contemplated on specific days of the week. As we pray each decade of the Rosary, we meditate on these mysteries, seeking to understand and live the virtues they represent. The Bible encourages us to meditate on God’s word day and night (Joshua 1:8).
What is the Role of the Fatima Prayer in the Rosary?
The Fatima Prayer is said after each decade in response to a request from Our Lady of Fatima, who appeared to three shepherd children in Portugal in 1917. The prayer is a plea for mercy, asking Jesus to forgive our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven. It underscores the Catholic belief in the mercy of God, as expressed in the Bible, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8)
Why Do We Conclude the Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen?
The Hail Holy Queen, also known as the Salve Regina, is a prayer of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It acknowledges Mary as our mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. By concluding the Rosary with this prayer, we are entrusting ourselves to Mary’s maternal intercession. As Jesus said from the cross, “Woman, behold your son…Behold, your mother.” (John 19:26-27)
What is the Purpose of the Rosary Prayer?
The Rosary Prayer that follows the Hail Holy Queen is a petition to God to grant us the graces necessary to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and to imitate what they contain. It is a recognition that through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, God has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. As the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
What is the Significance of the Invocation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary?
The invocation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a declaration of our trust in God’s mercy and Mary’s intercession. The Sacred Heart of Jesus symbolizes His divine love for humanity, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary represents her maternal love and purity. As the Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Why is the Rosary Considered a Powerful Prayer?
The Rosary is considered a powerful prayer because it is Christocentric, meaning it is centered on Jesus Christ, His life, His death, and His resurrection. As we pray the Rosary, we meditate on the mysteries, which are significant events in the life of Jesus and His mother Mary. This meditation brings us into a deeper understanding and appreciation of our faith and the divine plan of salvation. As we reflect on these mysteries, we are drawn into the heart of the Gospel. As stated in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”
How Does Praying the Rosary Benefit Us Spiritually?
Praying the Rosary benefits us spiritually by helping us to contemplate the mysteries of our salvation, grow in virtue, and deepen our relationship with God and Mary. It is a form of meditation that helps us to focus our minds on God, seek His will, and draw strength from His presence. As the Bible says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
