The Catholic Rosary—How to Pray the Rosary
The Holy Rosary is a Biblical Prayer Prayed on 59 Beads
Jan 23, 2009
The rosary is a prayer, often prayed on a set of 59 beads, which recalls the story of Christ's life and the history of salvation. Pray the rosary by following these steps:
- Begin with the sign of the cross. While holding the crucifix, make the sign of the cross by using the right hand to touch forehead, heart, left shoulder and right shoulder while saying: “In the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
- Then pray the Apostle’s 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 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."
- On the next large bead, say 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."
- On the following three small beads, pray three Hail Marys. "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."
- On the chain, pray the Glory Be. "Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
- Then announce the first Mystery (either Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious or Luminous depending on the day of the week and the season). You may read scripture describing each mystery, or picture the mystery in your head, or recite a phrase that calls the mystery to mind. For more information on the mysteries, see the mysteries of the rosary at catholic.org.
- On the large bead, pray the Our Father.
- On the ten beads after that, pray ten Hail Marys
- On the chain, pray a Glory Be.
You’ve just completed one decade (named for the ten beads in a row) of the rosary. Repeat steps 5-0 four more times to finish the next four decades.
At the end of your rosary prayer, say 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. Pray fior us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen"
For computer lovers: the virtual rosary lets you pray the rosary while sitting right at your computer.
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