How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary is a prayer in which we meditate with Mary on the most important events in the life of Jesus Christ. It consists of four sets of mysteries: the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. Each set contains five mysteries, and each mystery is meditated upon during one decade of the Rosary.

Most commonly, one set of the Rosary is prayed each day, consisting of five mysteries. However, you can also pray several sets or the entire Rosary. It is important not only to recite the prayers but also to reflect on the events in the lives of Jesus and Mary.

1. How to Pray the Rosary Step by Step

1. Make the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Holding the crucifix: pray the Apostles' Creed.
3. On the first large bead: pray the Our Father.
4. On the three small beads: pray the Hail Mary three times. Traditionally, these prayers are offered for an increase in faith, hope, and charity.
5. On the next large bead: pray the Glory Be to conclude the introductory Hail Marys. Announce the mystery of the Rosary you are about to contemplate, then pray the Our Father to begin the decade.
6. On the ten small beads: pray the Hail Mary ten times while meditating on the announced mystery.
7. After the decade: pray the Glory Be. You may also pray the O My Jesus prayer.
8. Repeat these steps for the remaining four mysteries of the chosen set of the Rosary.
9. At the end: pray the Sub Tuum Praesidium and make the Sign of the Cross.

2. Texts of the Rosary Prayers

The Apostles' 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; 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; from there he will 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.

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.

The Hail Mary

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.

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.

O My Jesus

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.

Sub Tuum Praesidium (Under Your Protection)

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. O our Lady, our Advocate, our Mediatrix, our Comforter. Reconcile us with your Son, commend us to your Son, and present us to your Son.

3. On Which Days Are the Different Mysteries Prayed?

The traditional weekly schedule for the mysteries of the Rosary is as follows:

• Monday: the Joyful Mysteries.
• Tuesday: the Sorrowful Mysteries.
• Wednesday: the Glorious Mysteries.
• Thursday: the Luminous Mysteries.
• Friday: the Sorrowful Mysteries.
• Saturday: the Joyful Mysteries.
• Sunday: the Glorious Mysteries.

4. What Are the Mysteries of the Rosary?

The Rosary is divided into four sets, each containing five mysteries. Before each decade, we announce one mystery and seek to meditate on it during the prayer.

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity of Jesus
4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
2. The Wedding at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the Call to Conversion
4. The Transfiguration of Jesus
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection of Jesus
2. The Ascension of Jesus
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

5. How to Pray the Pompeian Novena

The Pompeian Novena is a Rosary devotion lasting 54 days. Each day, three sets of the Rosary are prayed: the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. The Luminous Mysteries may be added as a fourth set, according to the practice followed. The novena consists of 27 days of supplication followed by 27 days of thanksgiving. The same intention is offered throughout both parts.

1. Begin the prayer with the Sign of the Cross.
2. Present your intention to Mary.
3. Pray three sets of the Rosary, meditating on five mysteries in each set.
4. After completing the Rosary, pray the appropriate concluding prayer: the supplication prayer during the first 27 days, or the thanksgiving prayer during the following 27 days.
5. Pray the Sub Tuum Praesidium, then repeat three times: Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.

Concluding Prayer – Supplication

Prayed during the first 27 days of the novena.
Remember, O merciful Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, that never has it been heard that anyone who sought your help, invoked your protection, or honoured your Rosary was abandoned by you. Do not despise my petition, O Mother of the Eternal Word, but through your Holy Rosary and the love you show for your shrine in Pompeii, graciously hear me. Amen.
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us. x3

Concluding Prayer – Thanksgiving

Prayed during the following 27 days of the novena.
What can I offer you, O Queen full of love? I dedicate my whole life to you. As far as my strength allows, I will spread devotion to you, O Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, for when I called upon your help, the grace of God came to me. Everywhere I will proclaim the mercy you have shown me. As far as I am able, I will promote devotion to the Holy Rosary and tell everyone how graciously you have treated me, so that even those who are unworthy, sinners like me, may turn to you with confidence. O, if the whole world knew how good you are and how much compassion you have for those who suffer, all creatures would turn to you. Amen.
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us. x3

6. How to Pray the Rosary Well

The aim is not merely to recite a set number of prayers. The Rosary helps us contemplate the life of Christ together with Mary. Before each decade, it is therefore helpful to announce the mystery, read a short passage from the Gospel or a reflection, and take a moment for personal meditation.
If your thoughts wander, calmly return to the prayer. You do not have to feel focused every time. What matters is remaining faithful to God and beginning the prayer again whenever you become distracted.

On our website, you will find meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary that can help you enter more deeply into your daily prayer.