How To Pray The Rosary
The Rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer that involves repeating specific prayers while meditating on the mysteries of the life of Jesus Christ. Here's how to pray the Rosary:
-
Hold the rosary in your hands and make the sign of the cross: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
-
Say the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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 the life everlasting. Amen."
-
Say the "Our Father," also known as the Lord's Prayer: "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 Marys" while meditating on the first mystery. The Hail Mary is a prayer that honors Mary, the mother of Jesus: "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."
-
Announce the first mystery and then say the "Our Father."
-
Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the mystery.
-
Announce the second mystery and then say the "Our Father."
-
Say ten "Hail Marys" while meditating on the mystery.
-
Continue this pattern until all five mysteries have been prayed.
-
Conclude the Rosary with the "Hail, Holy Queen" prayer: "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 towards us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen."
-
Make the sign of the cross to conclude the Rosary.