Saints LightHow to pray the Rosary
To pray the Rosary, you pray five decades, each one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be, while thinking about one event in the life of Jesus and Mary called a mystery. There are twenty mysteries in four sets, and each set has its own days of the week.
The Rosary is a prayer of the heart: while your lips repeat the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be, your mind walks with Mary through the life of her Son, one mystery at a time. Choose a set of mysteries below. Each decade opens with a short reading from Scripture and a reflection to hold while you pray. Go at your own pace, and if your mind wanders, simply come back.
The four sets of mysteries
Monday and SaturdayThe Joyful MysteriesAnnunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation in the Temple, Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
Tuesday and FridayThe Sorrowful MysteriesAgony in the Garden, Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning with Thorns, Carrying of the Cross, Crucifixion.
Wednesday and SundayThe Glorious MysteriesResurrection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary, Coronation of Mary.
ThursdayThe Luminous MysteriesBaptism of the Lord, Wedding at Cana, Proclamation of the Kingdom, Transfiguration, Institution of the Eucharist.
To begin
- The Sign of the Cross, once. Holding the crucifix, begin with the Sign of the Cross.
- The Apostles' Creed, once. On the crucifix, profess the faith of the Church.
- The Our Father, once. On the first bead after the crucifix.
- The Hail Mary, three times. On the next three beads, asking for an increase of faith, hope and charity, one for each.
- The Glory Be, once. On the chain before the next large bead.
Each of the five decades
Name the mystery and read its Scripture. Then pray:
- The Our Father, once
- The Hail Mary, ten times
- The Glory Be, once
- The Fatima Prayer, once (optional)
To finish
- Hail, Holy Queen, once
- The Sign of the Cross, once
Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, hath 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.
Questions about the Rosary
How do you pray the Rosary?
Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed on the crucifix, then one Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be. For each of the five decades, name the mystery, then pray one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be while you think about that mystery. End with the Hail Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross.
Which mysteries of the Rosary are prayed on which day?
By custom, the Joyful Mysteries on Monday and Saturday, the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday and Sunday, the Luminous Mysteries on Thursday.
How long does it take to pray the Rosary?
Five decades take most people about fifteen to twenty minutes. You can also pray a single decade, which takes about three minutes.
Go further
- A practical guide to praying the Rosary
- Learning to Pray, a course in Catholic prayer
- The Prayer Book
Pray the Rosary bead by bead
The Saints Light app guides you through the Rosary one bead at a time, with Scripture, a meditation and sacred art for each mystery. The Rosary is free in the app.
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