HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

Say or mentally form any intentions, kiss the Crucifix, then:

1. Begin by making the sign of the cross. Then pray 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 the ‘Glory Be’ and the ‘O my Jesus,’ and
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.

 

The Traditional Rosary – 15 Mysteries

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.

The traditional Rosary consisted of three parts, each having five mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious (prayed in this order when all 15 mysteries are prayed together).

In his Apostolic Letter ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, October 2002), Pope John Paul II announced the addition of “The Mysteries of Light,” also known as the “Luminous Mysteries.” The Luminous Mysteries are prayed on Thursdays.

 

On Monday and Saturday, meditate on the “Joyful Mysteries”

First Decade – The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)

Second Decade – The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)

Third Decade – The Birth of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)

Fourth Decade – The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)

Fifth Decade – The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)

 

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

 

On Thursdays, meditate on the “Luminous Mysteries”

First Decade – The Baptism of our Lord in the Jordan

Second Decade – Our Lord’s Self-manifestation at the Wedding Feast of Cana

Third Decade – Our Lord’s proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with his call to conversion

Fourth Decade – The Transfiguration

Fifth Decade – Institution of the Eucharist, as the sacramental expression of the Paschal Mystery.

 

 

Prayers of the Rosary

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (with fluid movements, with your RIGHT hand touch center forehead as you say “In the name of the Father,” touch center breastbone as you say “and of the Son,” and touch left shouder as you say “and of the Holy” then right shoulder as you say “Spirit.” Conclude with “Amen.”)

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 power of 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. He ascended into heaven and sits 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.

The Lord’s Prayer (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 (The Angelic Salutation)

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.

The Gloria (The Minor Doxology, 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.

Fatima Prayer (O My Jesus)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of thy mercy.

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 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.

 

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

 

Rosary Indulgences

A Plenary Indulgence…may be gained (under the usual conditions) when the Rosary is prayed in Church, in a family group or in a religious community. Also:

Five (5) decades of the Rosary must be prayed continuously. The prayers of the Rosary must be prayed vocally and one must meditate upon the Mysteries of the Rosary.

If the recitation of the Rosary is public, the Mysteries of the Rosary must be announced.

A Partial Indulgence…One may gain a partial indulgence for the Rosary’s recitation in whole or in part in other circumstances.

A Plenary Indulgence…
can be gained only once a day (except by those who are in danger of death.)

* to gain a plenary indulgence one must perform the indulgenced act. Three other conditions must be fulfilled:

• A sacramental confession
• Eucharistic Communion
• Prayers for the Pope’s intentions

 

In addition, one must be free of all attachments to sin, even venial sin. If this complete integrity is not present or if the above conditions are not fulfilled the indulgence is only partial. Both a plenary and partial indulgence may be applied to the dead.