How to Pray the Rosary
1. Sign yourself and begin with the Apostle’s Creed.
2. Our Father.
3. Three Hail Marys. Glory Be.
4. Announce the First Mystery. Our Father.
5. Ten Hail Marys (one on each bead). Glory Be. Fatima Prayer.
This completes one “decade.” Decade, meaning “ten,” refers to a set of ten Hail Marys, which is introduced by one Our Father and finished with a Glory Be and an aspiration (usually the Fatima prayer). There are five decades in a typical set of rosary beads.
Continue along the beads, saying the next four decades and meditating on the next four mysteries. If you say all fifteen decades, you will go around the rosary beads three times.
You will end at the centerpiece, where you may say concluding prayers if you wish.
Making The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father (touch forehead), and of the Son (touch heart), and of the Holy Ghost (touch left then right shoulders). Amen.
In Latin: Signum Crucis
In nomine Patris (touch forehead) et Filii (touch heart) et Spiritus Sancti (touch left then right shoulders). Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
When saying the rosary with others, the prayers are recited as Versicle and Response, as indicated.
V. I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
R. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
In Latin: Symbolum Apostolorum
V. Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem coeli et terrae. Et in Jesum Christum, Filium ejus 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 coelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos.
R. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.
The Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer)
When saying the rosary with others, the prayers are recited as Versicle and Response, as indicated.
V. Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven.
R. 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.
In Latin: Pater Noster (Oratio Dominica)
V. Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificetur Nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in terra.
R. 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.
Hail Mary (Angelic Salutation)
When saying the rosary with others, the prayers are recited as Versicle and Response, as indicated.
V. Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen.
In Latin: Ave Maria (Salutatio Angelica)
V. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
R. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
Glory Be
When saying the rosary with others, the prayers are recited as Versicle and Response, as indicated.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
In Latin: Doxologia Minor
V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
The 15 Mysteries of the Rosary
Remember to ask Jesus and Mary for the associated graces.
1st Mystery: The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary (We ask for the grace of Deep Humility)
2nd Mystery: The Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth (Charity towards Our Neighbor)
3rd Mystery: The Nativity of Jesus (Detachment from Worldly Things)
4th Mystery: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Purity in Body and Mind)
5th Mystery: Finding Jesus at the Temple (True Wisdom)
Sorrowful Mysteries
6th Mystery: The Agony in the Garden (Sorrow for Our Sins)
7th Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar (Grace to Mortify our Senses)
8th Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns (Contempt of the World)
9th Mystery: Jesus Carrying the Cross (Patience in All Our Crosses)
10th Mystery: The Crucifixion (Final Perseverance)
Glorious Mysteries
11th Mystery: The Resurrection (Love of God)
12th Mystery: The Ascension (Ardent Desire for Heaven)
13th Mystery: The Coming of the Holy Ghost (That the Holy Ghost May Come into Our Souls)
14th Mystery: The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (Tender Devotion to Mary)
15th Mystery: The Coronation of Mary in Heaven (Perseverance in Grace and a Crown of Glory)
Fatima Prayer
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.
In Latin: Oratio Fatimae
Oh mi Jesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, libera nos ab igne inferni, conduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim illas quae maxime indigent misericordia tua. Amen.