How to Pray the Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary
HOW TO PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY INTRODUCTION


1. The Sign Of The Cross
2. The Apostle's Creed
3. The Our Father
4-6. The Hail Mary
7. The Glory Be
8. The Fátima Prayer

THE FIRST DECADE
9. Announce
10. The Our Father
11-20. The Hail Mary
21. The Glory Be
22. The Fátima Prayer

THE SECOND DECADE
23. Announce
24. The Our Father
25-34. The Hail Mary
35. The Glory Be
36. The Fátima Prayer

THE THIRD DECADE
37. Announce
38. The Our Father
39-48. The Hail Mary
49. The Glory Be
50. The Fátima Prayer

THE FOURTH DECADE
51. Announce
52. The Our Father
53-62. The Hail Mary
63. The Glory Be
64. The Fátima Prayer

THE FIFTH DECADE
65. Announce
66. The Our Father
67-76. The Hail Mary
77. The Glory Be
78. The Fátima Prayer

THE CONCLUSION
79. Hail Holy Queen
80. The Rosary Prayer
81. The Sign Of The Cross


THE INTRODUCTION


Start by making the Sign of the Cross while holding the Crucifix:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(As you say this with your right hand 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.)

Then recite 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 rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth 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 Sprit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

Then say the Our Father Prayer while holding the first large bead:

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.

Then say a Hail Mary for each of the next three small beads:

(for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity)

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 death. Amen.

Then while holding the chain before the next Our Father bead Say the Glory Be:

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.

Then while still holding the chain say the the Fatima Prayer:

(This prayer is optional but recommended by Pope Pius XII)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

The First Decade


Then while still holding the chain Announce the first Mystery:

(for more detail on the mysteries check below)

Then say the Our Father Prayer while holding the first large bead:

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.

Then say a Hail Mary for each of the next ten small beads:

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 death. Amen.

Then while holding the chain before the next Our Father bead Say the Glory Be:

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.



Then while still holding the chain say the the Fatima Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

THE SECOND DECADE


Then while still holding the chain Announce the second Mystery:

(for more detail on the mysteries check below)

Then say the Our Father Prayer while holding the first large bead:

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.

Then say a Hail Mary for each of the next ten small beads:

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 death. Amen.

Then while holding the chain before the next Our Father bead Say the Glory Be:

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.

Then while still holding the chain say the the Fatima Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

THE THIRD DECADE


Then while still holding the chain Announce the third Mystery:

(for more detail on the mysteries check below)

Then say the Our Father Prayer while holding the first large bead:

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.

Then say a Hail Mary for each of the next ten small beads:

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 death. Amen.

Then while holding the chain before the next Our Father bead Say the Glory Be:

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.

Then while still holding the chain say the the Fatima Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

THE FOURTH DECADE


Then while still holding the chain Announce the fourth Mystery:

(for more detail on the mysteries check below)

Then say the Our Father Prayer while holding the first large bead:

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.

Then say a Hail Mary for each of the next ten small beads:

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 death. Amen.

Then while holding the chain before the next Our Father bead Say the Glory Be:

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.

Then while still holding the chain say the the Fatima Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

THE FIFTH DECADE


Then while still holding the chain Announce the fifth Mystery:

(for more detail on the mysteries check below)

Then say the Our Father Prayer while holding the first large bead:

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.

Then say a Hail Mary for each of the next ten small beads:

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 death. Amen.

Then while holding the chain before the next Our Father bead Say the Glory Be:

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.

Then while still holding the chain say the the Fatima Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.

THE CONCLUSION


After the completion of the decades and their accompanying mysteries, recite the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) while still holding the centerpiece:

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 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

With the centerpiece still in hand recite the Rosary Prayer:

Let us pray, O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

We then end our Rosary by making the Sign of the Cross while holding the centerpiece:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY


The Five Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays, may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas)

1. The Annunciation: Gabriel comes from God to Mary, who is at home in Nazareth, announcing that she shall be the Mother of the Redeemer. She accepts.

2. The Visitation: Mary hastens with her good news to the hill country, to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is herself to be the mother of John the Baptist.

3. The Nativity: After a difficult journey, Mary is sheltered in a cave among the hills of Bethlehem, and the Redeemer is born. Shepherds from the surrounding countryside visit the holy Child in the manger.

4. The Presentation: Forty days later, Mary and Joseph takes Jesus "to present Him to the Lord" in the Temple. There Simeon and Anna recognize their God.

5. Finding of the Child Jesus: After an agonizing three-days search, Mary and Joseph discover their twelve-year old Son in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, going "about His Father's business.

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries

(Tuesdays and Fridays, may be said on Sundays during Lent)



1. The Agony in the Garden: In the Garden of Olives Jesus is prostrated in an agony of bloody swear as He contemplates and accepts His Passion and death.

2. The Scourging: After His arrest, Jesus is stripped, and shackled to a whipping-post. He is cruelly scourged until the soldiers, not He, can take no more.

3. The Crowning: The soldiers press a crown of thorns on the head of Jesus. Then, arraying Him in scarlet, they bend their knees before Him in a spirit of mockery, spitting upon and mocking Him all the while.

4. The Carrying of the Cross: Embracing the cross with love, Jesus bears its weight to Calvary. He falls three times, but the soldiers only goad Him on.

5. The Crucifixion: With His hands and feet crudely nailed to the cross, Jesus is jarringly raised on high between two thieves. After three hours of extreme suffering, Jesus finally bows His head and dies.



The Five Glorious Mysteries

(Wednesdays, Sundays and after Easter until Advent)



1. The Resurrection: The third day after His death, Jesus rises gloriously from the tomb, as He had foretold. To the apostles, disciples, and holy women, He “showed Himself alive after His passion by many proofs.”

2. The Ascension: Jesus leads His apostles and friends to the Mount of Olives, where “He lifted up His hands and blessed them” as He ascended.

3. Descent of the Holy Spirit: As the fearful apostles are huddled in the upper room, parted tongues as of fire settle over the heads of each, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit. Then fearlessly they go forth.

4. The Assumption: After the death of Mary, her body is taken up incorrupt into heaven in order to be reunited forever with her stainless soul.

5. Coronation: Mary is received into heaven by her divine Son and in the presence of all the angels and saints is glorious crowned Queen of Heaven.



The Five Luminous Mysteries

(Thursdays) Suggested by Pope John Paul II



1. The Baptism of Jesus:Baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus is affirmed by the Father and empowered by the Spirit.

2. The Wedding Feast at Cana: At Mary’s request Jesus works his first miracle, by changing water into wine and so revealed His glory.

3. The Proclamation: Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming, "Kingdom of God is a hand. "Repent and believe!"

4. The Transfiguration: Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There he was transfigured before them.

5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist: During the meal Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. “Take this and eat it,” he said. “This is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. "All of you must drink from it,” he said, “for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.

The Fifteen Promises of the Rosary

The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary

(Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan)

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.

3. The rosary shall be a powerful Armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.

10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.

11. You shall obtained all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.

12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.

"The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin...If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labors." Pope Pius XI
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