How to pray the Rosary

The Holy Rosary is one of the most beloved prayers of the Catholic tradition. It combines the serene repetition of the Hail Mary with the meditation on the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary. Here is the complete step-by-step guide.

The order of the prayers

1. The Sign of the Cross and the Apostles' Creed.
2. One Our Father.
3. Three Hail Marys (for faith, hope and charity).
4. One Glory Be.
5. Then you pray five decades. Each decade consists of:
   • Announcing the mystery and meditating on it.
   • One Our Father.
   • Ten Hail Marys.
   • One Glory Be (and, optionally, the Fatima Prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins…").
6. After the five decades: the Hail Holy Queen and the closing prayers.

The four sets of mysteries

Each set has five mysteries to meditate on:

Joyful Mysteries

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

Luminous Mysteries

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

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

Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption of Mary
5. The Coronation of Mary

Which mysteries are prayed each day

Frequently asked questions

How many Hail Marys are in a full Rosary? Fifty (ten for each of the five decades), plus the three at the beginning.

Who added the Luminous Mysteries? Saint John Paul II, in 2002.

Do I need rosary beads to pray it? They help you keep count, but you can also pray it on your fingers or from memory.

How long does it take to pray the Rosary? Between 15 and 20 minutes, prayed calmly.

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