Introduction

The Rosary is divided into five decades. Each decade represents a mystery or event in the life of Jesus. There are four sets of "Mysteries of the Rosary" (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious). These four "Mysteries of the Rosary" therefore contain, a total of twenty mysteries. The Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries are then said on specific days of the week (see each set of mysteries below). During private recitation of the Rosary, each decade requires devout meditation on a specific mystery. Public recitation of the Rosary (two or more people), requires a leader to announce each of the mysteries before the decade, and start each prayer (see "The Family Rosary" below).

The Apostle's Creed is said on the Crucifix; the Our Father is said on each of the Large Beads; the Hail Mary is said on each of the Small Beads; the Glory Be after the three Hail Mary's at the beginning of the Rosary, and after each decade of Small Beads. In June 13, 1917, Our Lady asked that an additional prayer be added after each decade of the Rosary (see prayers at the end of this document). It is a prayer of forgiveness to Jesus and is said following the Glory Be after each decade only.


Prayer Before The Rosary

Queen of the Holy Rosary, you have designed to come to Fatima and Medjugorje, to reveal to the three shepherd children and six visionaries, the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption which are recalled in it, I may obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners, and the favor which I ask of you in this Rosary (Mention your request). I ask it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially for my own. Amen.


How To Say The Rosary

Detailed Prayer Guide

• Start with The Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed.

• Say The Our Father.

• Say 3 Hail Mary's.

• Say the Glory Be to the Father.

• Choose a set of Mysteries based on the day it should be said. Announce the First Mystery, then say The Our Father.

• Say 10 Hail Mary's.

• Say the Glory Be to the Father.

• Say the O My Jesus.

• Announce the Second Mystery, then say The Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, Glory Be and O My Jesus.

• Announce the Third Mystery, then say The Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, Glory Be and O My Jesus.

• Announce the Fourth Mystery, then say The Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, Glory Be and O My Jesus.

• Announce the Fifth Mystery, then say The Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's, Glory Be and O My Jesus.

• Conclude by saying The Hail Holy Queen, Let Us Pray.

• Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, The Memorare, and 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.

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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; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated 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.

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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.

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The Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace! the Lord is with thee; blessed are 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.

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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.

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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 promises of Christ.

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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 of 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.

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Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in our day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through this world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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The Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To you I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

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O My Jesus: O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

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The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Thursdays; Sundays of Advent.)

• 1. The Annunciation: Mary learns from the Angel Gabriel that God wishes her to be the mother of God and humbly accepts. (Luke 1:26-38)
   
• 2. The Visitation: Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth and is praised by her as "blessed among women." (Luke 1:39-56)
   
• 3. The Nativity: Mary gives birth to Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem. (Luke 2:1-20)
   
• 4. The Presentation: Mary and Joseph present Jesus to His Heavenly Father in the Temple of Jerusalem forty days after His birth. (Luke 2:22-39)
   
• 5. The Finding in the Temple: After searching for three days, Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus sitting in the Temple discussing the law with the learned doctors. (Luke 2:42-52)

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The Luminous Mysteries (Said on Thursdays throughout the year)

• 1. First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."(Matthew 3:17)
   
• 2. The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana, Christ Manifested Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him. (John 2:11)
   
• 3. The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."  (Mark 1:15)
   
• 4. The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. (Matthew 17:2)
   
• 5. The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26)

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The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays; Sundays of Lent.)

• 1. The Agony in the Garden: The thought of our sins and His coming suffering causes the agonizing Savior to sweat blood (hematidrosis). (Luke 22:39-44)
   
• 2. The Scourging: Jesus is stripped and unmercifully scourged until His body is one mass of bloody wounds. (Matt. 27:26)
   
• 3. The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus's claim to kingship is ridiculed by putting a crown of thorns on His head and a reed in His hand. (Matt. 27:28- 31)
   
• 4. The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus shoulders His own cross and carries it to the place of crucifixion while Mary follows Him sorrowing. (Luke 23:26- 32)
   
• 5. The Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies after three hours of agony witnessed by His Mother. (Matt. 27:33-50)

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The Glorious Mysteries (Sundays except during Advent and Lent, Wednesdays and Saturdays.)

• 1. The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead on Easter Sunday, glorious and immortal, as He has predicted. (Matt. 28:1-7)
   
• 2. The Ascension: Jesus ascends into Heaven forty days after His resurrection to sit at the right hand of God the Father. (Luke 24:50-51)
   
• 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Jesus sends the Holy Spirit in the form of fiery tongues on His Apostles and disciples. (Acts 2:2-4)
   
• 4. The Assumption: Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, is assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.
   
• 5. The Coronation: Mary is crowned as Queen of heaven and earth, Queen of angels and saints.

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The Family Rosary

The Family That Prays Together... Stays Together.

The family Rosary is the Rosary recited aloud together, by as many of the family and their friends as can be present. Any family (two or more people) may say the Family Rosary in any suitable place and at any time.

A leader says aloud the first part of each prayer; a second person or group of persons answers aloud the second part of the prayer.

To begin the Family Rosary, all hold the Crucifix of their Rosary in the right hand and make the Sign of the Cross.

The leader begins the Apostles' Creed and proceeds through the rest of the Rosary as shown on Page 2. The leader announces the Mystery before each decade. Five decades (one complete Mystery: Joyful, Sorrowful, or Glorious) should be recited each day.