​
Rosary
NOTE: According to USCCB.org, the Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and the Luminous. The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.
​
1. Announce prayer intentions for this Rosary, then make the Sign of the Cross.
2. Pray the Apostles’ Creed while holding the Crucifix.
Leader: 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.
All: 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.
3. Pray The Lord’s Prayer on the first bead.
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
4. Pray The Hail Mary on each of the next 3 beads "for an increase in the virtues of faith, hope, and charity."
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
5. Pray The Glory Be.
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
6. Announce the first mystery.
​
-
The Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays & Saturdays. During the season of Advent, they are also prayed on Sundays.
-
The Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays & Fridays. During the season of Lent, they are also prayed on Sundays.
-
The Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays, and they are also prayed on Sundays outside the seasons of Advent and Lent.
-
The Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays.
​
First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
“And when the angel had come to her, he said, ‘Hail full of grace, the Lord is with you.’” (Luke 1:28)
Fruit of the Mystery: Humility
First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
“He was in such agony and He prayed so fervently that His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When He rose from prayer and returned to His disciples, He found them sleeping from grief.” (Luke 22:44-45)
Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for Sin
First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection
“’Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him.’” (Mark 16:6)
Fruit of the Mystery: Faith
First Luminous Mystery: Baptism of Jesus
“After Jesus was baptized, …the heavens were opened [for Him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon Him. And a voice from the heavens, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Fruit of the Mystery: Openness to the Holy Spirit
7. Pray these prayers.
Our Father. (1st bead)
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Hail Mary. (next 10 beads)
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be. (added to last bead)
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer. (added to last bead)
Leader: O my Jesus…
All: …forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
8. Announce the second mystery that follows the mystery announced previously.
Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
“Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’” (Luke 1:41-42)
Fruit of the Mystery: Love of Neighbor
​
Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him scourged.” (John 19:1)
Fruit of the Mystery: Purity
Second Glorious Mystery: The Ascension
“So then Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)
Fruit of the Mystery: Hope
Second Luminous Mystery: Wedding at Cana
“His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’ …Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim.” (John 2:5-7)
Fruit of the Mystery: To Jesus through Mary
9. Pray these prayers.
Our Father. (1st bead)
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Hail Mary. (next 10 beads)
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be. (added to last bead)
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer. (added to last bead)
Leader: O my Jesus…
All: …forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
10. Announce the third mystery that follows the mystery announced previously.
Third Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Jesus
“She gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
Fruit of the Mystery: Poverty in Spirit
Third Sorrowful Mystery: Crowning with Thorns
“They stripped off His clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about Him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on His head, and a reed in His right hand.” (Matthew 27:28-29)
Fruit of the Mystery: Courage
Third Glorious Mystery: Descent of the Holy Spirit
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (Acts 2:4)
Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God
Third Luminous Mystery: Proclaiming the Kingdom
“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” (Matthew 10:7-8)
Fruit of the Mystery: Repentance and Trust in God
11. Pray these prayers.
Our Father. (1st bead)
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Hail Mary. (next 10 beads)
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be. (added to last bead)
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer. (added to last bead)
Leader: O my Jesus…
All: …forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
12. Announce the fourth mystery that follows the mystery announced previously.
Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation
“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord.’” (Luke 2:22-23)
Fruit of the Mystery: Obedience
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: Carrying of the Cross
“And carrying the cross Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.” (John 19:17)
Fruit of the Mystery: Patience
Fourth Glorious Mystery: The Assumption
“’You are the glory of Jerusalem! …You are the great boast of our nation! …You have done good things for Israel, and God is pleased with them. May the Almighty Lord bless you forever!’” (Judith 15:9-10)
Fruit of the Mystery: Grace of a Happy Death
Fourth Luminous Mystery: Transfiguration
“While He was praying His face changed in appearance and His clothing became dazzling white. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is My chosen Son; listen to Him.’” (Luke 9:29,35)
Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness
13. Pray these prayers.
Our Father. (1st bead)
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Hail Mary. (next 10 beads)
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be. (added to last bead)
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer. (added to last bead)
Leader: O my Jesus…
All: …forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
14. Announce the fifth mystery that follows the mystery announced previously.
Fifth Joyful Mystery: Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple
“After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:46)
Fruit of the Mystery: Joy in Finding Jesus
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion
“Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit’; and when He had said this He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46)
Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance
Fifth Glorious Mystery: The Coronation
“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Revelation 12:1)
Fruit of the Mystery: Trust in Mary's Intercession
Fifth Luminous Mystery: Institution of the Eucharist
“Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, which will be given for you…’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood.’” (Luke 22:19-20)
Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration
15. Pray these prayers.
Our Father. (1st bead)
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Hail Mary. (next 10 beads)
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be. (added to last bead)
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer. (added to last bead)
Leader: O my Jesus…
All: …forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.
16. Pray The Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen).
All: 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.
17. Pray the closing prayer.
Leader: Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
​
All: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Leader: Let us pray.
All: 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 while meditating upon the 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.
(The following are optional prayers, which you can skip and finish the Rosary by making the Sign of the Cross.)
18. (Optional) Pray the Memorare "for the intercession of our Blessed Mother."
All: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
19. (Optional) Pray the St. Joseph Prayer "for the intercession of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary."
All: To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities. O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be kind to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness. As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.
20. (Optional) Pray "for the intentions of the Holy Father."
Our Father.
Leader: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven.
All: 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.
Hail Mary.
Leader: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be.
Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…
All: …as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
21. (Optional) Pray "for the souls in Purgatory."
Leader: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
All: …and let perpetual light shine upon them, and may they rest in peace. Amen.
22. (Optional) Pray "for the intercession of our Guardian Angel."
All: O most faithful companion, whom God has appointed to watch over me, my guide and protector, ever at my side, what thanks can I offer you for your love, your constancy, and your innumerable benefits? You watch over me in sleep, you console me in sorrow, you raise me when I fall, you ward off dangers, you prepare me for the future, you withdraw me from sin, you urge me to good, you move me to do penance, and reconcile me with my God. Already, perhaps, I should have been thrust into hell, but you by your prayers have averted from me the dreadful wrath of God. Desert me not, then, I beseech you; encourage me in adversity, restrain me in prosperity, protect me in dangers, and assist me in temptations, lest at any time I yield to them. Offer to the Divine Majesty all my prayers and sighs and works, and obtain for me the grace to die in the friendship of God, and so to enter into eternal life.
Amen.
23. (Optional) Pray "for the intercession of all the Angels and Saints."
All: Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, celestial Virtues, Cherubim and Seraphim; all Saints of God, holy men and women, and you especially, my patrons: I ask you to plead for me that I may have the grace to offer a worthy sacrifice to almighty God, to the praise and glory of His Name, for my own welfare and that of all His holy Church.
Amen.
24. (Optional) Pray "for the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, Patron Saint of ARMOR."
All: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection 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, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.