How to Pray the Rosary

Standardized by Pope St. Pius V in the 16th Century, the Rosary is a universal prayer with slight regional differences.  Prior to this standardization the rosary came in many forms.  Here is a version from the later middle ages

Here is a modern version of the rosary commonly said in Rome.

Below is described the most common method used to pray the Rosary in the United States.  For a downloadable diagram that explains this same method go here

To begin:

Make the Sign of the Cross

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

At the Crucifix:   Say the Apostle's Creed

I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. 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 the life everlasting. Amen.

On the large beads 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 small beads say the Hail Mary

HAIL MARY, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen.

At the end of the decades 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 will be forever. Amen.

Say the Fatima Prayer after each Glory Be

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

Prayers at the End of the Rosary

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.

V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

O GOD, Who by the life, death, and resurrection of Thy only-begotten Son, hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on 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.

Meditations

At the beginning of each decade (set of 10 Hail Mary), a mystery from the life of Jesus or Mary is announced.  This is meditated upon during the praying of the decade.

On Mondays and Saturdays

I. Joyous Mysteries

1. The Annunciation. [Mt 1:18, Lk 1:26-38]

2. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. [Lk 1:39-45]

3. The Birth of Jesus. [Lk 2:6-12]

4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. [Lk 2:25-32]

5. Mary and Joseph Finding Jesus in the Temple. [Lk 2:41-50]

On Thursdays

II. Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. [Mt 3:13, Mk 1:9, Jn 1:29]

2. The Wedding at Cana. [Jn 2:1-11]

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. [Mk 1:15, Lk 10:8-11]

4. The Transfiguration. [Mt 17:1-8, Mk 9:2-9]

5. The Institution of the Eucharist. [Jn 6:27-59, Mt 26:26-29, Mk 14:22-24, Lk 22:15-20]

On Tuesdays and Fridays

III. Sorrowful Mysteries

1. The Agony in the Garden. [Lc 22:39-46]

2. The Scourging at the Pillar. [Mt 27:26, Mk 15:6-15, Jn 19:1]

3. The Crowning with Thorns. [Jn 19:1-8]

4. Jesus Carries His Cross. [Jn 19:16-22]

5. Jesus Dies on the Cross. [Jn 19:25-30]

On Wednesdays and Sundays

IV. Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection. [Mk 16:1-7]

2. The Ascension. [Lk 24:46-53]

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. [Act 2:1-7]

4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven. [Ps 16:10]

5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. [Rev 12:1]