How to Pray the Rosary

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Last Updated: December 14, 2023 Approved

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Rosary is one of the most beautiful, powerful, and sacred prayers. The Rosary is a devotion to God through a devotion to the Virgin Mary. The Rosary is Scriptural, Christ centered, and the twenty Mysteries reflect the life of Jesus Christ. The Rosary offers hope when life can be unbearable. Keep reading for instructions on praying the Rosary.

Basic Rosary Text

Rosary in English

Rosary in Latin

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

The Introduction

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1
Begin by touching the crucifix and praying the Sign of the Cross. To make the Sign of the Cross, with your right hand touch your forehead, your heart, your left shoulder, and then your right. If you don't have a Rosary in your hands to hold, that's fine. You can keep track mentally. While making the Sign of the Cross, say:^{[1]
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- English: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Latin: In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
  - Touch your forehead when you say Father, touch your breastbone when you say Son, touch your left shoulder when you say Holy, and touch your right shoulder when you say Spirit.
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Pray the Apostle's Creed. If you have a Rosary, you are still holding the crucifix. With your head down and in a contemplative stance, say:^{[2]
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- English: 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; He shall come again 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.
- Latin: Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.
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3
On the first large rosary bead, pray the Our Father. The traditional version reads thusly:^{[3]
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- English: 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.
- Latin: Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
4
On each of the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary. These three prayers should be done with the intention of an increase in Faith, Hope, and Love.^{[4]
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- English: 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.
- Latin: Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
5
On the next large bead, pray the Glory Be, also known as the Lesser Doxology. Technically, this is on the space between the three beads and the larger bead; the larger bead is for the Our Father.^{[5]
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- English: 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.
- Latin: Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

The First Decade

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Announce the Mystery. This is only necessary if you're in a group. If you are alone, you may choose to silently contemplate on it. There are certain ways that each person will choose to go about reciting the Mysteries, so choose a method that speaks to you:
- The traditional order is to meditate on the Joyful Mysteries on Monday, the Sorrowful on Tuesday, the Glorious on Wednesday, the same pattern for Thursday to Saturday, and then Glorious again on Sunday.
- Since introducing the Luminous Mysteries in 2002, Pope John Paul II proposed a different schedule for those praying the full 5 decades a day: Monday - Joyful; Tuesday - Sorrowful; Wednesday - Glorious; Thursday - Luminous; Friday - Sorrowful; Saturday - Joyful; Sunday - Glorious
- Depending on the day, choose the appropriate mystery:^{[6]
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  - 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
  - 1st Luminous Mystery: The Baptism of Our Lord in the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-16)
  - 1st Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony of Our Lord in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-56)
  - 1st Glorious Mystery: The Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
You should be on the large bead that precedes the pendant.^{[7]
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That's one Hail Mary for each bead. You should be moving in a counter-clockwise fashion, just to the right of the pendant at this point.
4
Before the next large bead, pray a Glory Be. After that, you may choose to pray one Fátima Prayer:^{[8]
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- English: 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. (Amen.)
- Latin (there is no single official Latin translation of the Fátima Prayer): Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.

Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

The Second Decade

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Announce the second Mystery. Again, depending on the day, a different Mystery is appropriate. Choose from the following:
- 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
- 2nd Luminous Mystery: The Wedding at Cana, when Christ manifested Himself (Jn 2:1-11)
- 2nd Sorrowful Mystery: Our Lord is Scourged at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26)
- 2nd Glorious Mystery: The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:36-53)
Do you see a pattern emerging? Apart from the introduction and conclusion, it's all the same. Big beads are Our Fathers, small beads are Hail Marys, and at the end of each decade (10 Hail Marys) is a Glory Be and, if desired, a Fatima Prayer.
That is, 10 more Hail Mary prayers, one for each bead.
Again, if desired, a Fátima Prayer fits in nicely right here.

Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

The Third Decade

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1
Announce the third Mystery. Once more, depending on the day, a different Mystery is appropriate. Choose from the following:
- 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Birth (Nativity) of Our Lord (Luke 2:1-21)
- 3rd Luminous Mystery: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15)
- 3rd Sorrowful Mystery: Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-31)
- 3rd Glorious Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
Try to maintain a state of reflection, even though the prayers do get repetitive. Concentrating on the intention of your prayer will help. Are you praying for a sick friend? For strength? Think about your own intentions.
As you pray each one, move down a bead. You're halfway there! If you don't have a Rosary, your fingers are the same number, quite conveniently.
And what's next? You guessed it. The optional Fátima Prayer. Pope Pius XII is the one you can thank for that little ditty.

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

The Fourth Decade

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1
Announce the fourth Mystery. Kinda goes without saying, now doesn't it? Take a look at your calendar. What day is it? Choose from the following:
- 4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-38)
- 4th Luminous Mystery: The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8)
- 4th Sorrowful Mystery: Our Lord Carries the Cross to Calvary (Matthew 27:32)
- 4th Glorious Mystery: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
Song is an equally acceptable form of prayer in the eyes of God. If you know a hymn version of the prayer, sing it!
Only one decade to go! Try not to whip through them like homework on a Friday night. Listen to the words as you say them aloud or to yourself. What do they actually mean?
That one sure came out of left field, didn't it? Hey, only one decade to go! You should be 4/5 of the way around the Rosary now, nearing the pendant once more.

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

The Fifth Decade

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Announce the fifth Mystery. They're last but certainly not least. Choose from the following:
- 5th Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
- 5th Luminous Mystery: The Last Supper, or the Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matthew 26)
- 5th Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion of Our Lord (Matthew 27:33-56)
- 5th Glorious Mystery: The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
Really feel this one – it's the last one you have! Let the words resonate within you and feel their meaning.
Your hand should be inching closer and closer to the crucifix. Are you still maintaining reflection? Great.
One more possible Fátima Prayer and it's time to bust out some new prayers!

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

The Conclusion

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1
Pray a Hail Holy Queen. You're onto the pendant! Here's how this one goes
- English: Hail Holy Queen, mother of mercy; hail 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 vale 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. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
- Latin: Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae; vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae; ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostende. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. Amen.
2
Pray the Final Rosary Prayer (optional). Hands still on the pendant, recite the following:
- English: 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 by 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.
- Latin: Oremus: Deus, cujus Unigenitus, per vitam, mortem et resurrectionem suam nobis salutis aeternæ praemia comparavit: concede, quaesumus; ut, haec mysteria sanctissimo beatae Mariae Virginis Rosario recolentes; et imitemur quod continent, et quod promittunt, assequamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
3
Pray the Memorare (optional). This one is the most uncommon, but adds a nice finishing touch to your intimate session. This one goes like this:
- English: 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, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, Our Mother. To thee we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer them. Amen.
- Latin: Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria, a saeculo non esse auditum, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.
The Litany is a list of call-and-response prayers, with the first several invoking the three Persons of the Holy Trinity to "Have mercy on us", and the rest asking the Virgin Mary (under various titles such as "Mirror of Justice") to "Pray for us". It ends with a slightly different version of the Agnus Dei that is recited before Holy Communion at Mass. The full text of the Litany may be found here.
Catholics sometimes add one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be for the reigning Pope, asking that he be blessed physically and spiritually. Some would also pray another set of the above for the intentions of the dead, including loved ones and particularly the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Lift your head, feel lightened, and go about your day, prayerful and contemplative. Now wasn't that a worthwhile 20 minutes

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Is it appropriate to have more than one intention for praying the Rosary, or should I simply pray it with one intention at a time?

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It's just fine and perfectly appropriate to pray for more than one thing.

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Can Protestants pray with the Rosary too?

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Yes you can. Other sects use a different form of rosary called the Ecumenical Miracle Rosary.

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I need to make a small rosary for a friend's mother, but I can't find instructions for how to lay out the beads. He said he wanted a Novena Rosary. Can you help?

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I think if you talk to a priest, he could tell you how to arrange the beads.

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If you are nervous about an upcoming event silently say just a decade in your head as you drive there or wait in line for your turn. It is very relaxing to know that Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother are there for you.

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Say a decade for an individual in need. All you need to do is mention the name of the person and the related intention at the end of the decade. (e.g. O Lord, I lift up this decade of the rosary for [person's name] because [certain circumstance that calls for prayer.]

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You do not actually need a Rosary; you can pray the Rosary on your fingers or by using another method of counting. Some mobile rosary apps aid in counting via virtual beads on the touchscreen, in addition to guiding the individual through the prayers and Mysteries.

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Things You'll Need

A rosary or rosary ring (optional - used only for keeping track of where you are in the prayers; can be substituted by your own ten fingers)
People to pray with, more often than not in a call-and-response fashion (optional - "For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them." [Mt 18:20])