How to pray the Rosary

The Steps to Praying the Rosary

  1. Make the Sign of the Cross and say the ‘Apostles Creed‘
  2. Say the ‘Our Father’
  3. Say three ‘Hail Marys‘ for Faith, Hope, and Charity
  4. Say the ‘Glory Be’
  5. Announce the First Mystery and then say the ‘Our Father‘
  6. Say ten ‘Hail Marys‘ while meditating on the Mystery
  7. Say the ‘Glory be‘ (Optional: Say the ‘O My Jesus’ prayer requested by Mary at Fatima)
  8. Announce the Next Mystery; then say the ‘Our Father’ and repeat these steps (6 through 8) as you continue through the remaining Mysteries.
  9. Say the closing prayers: the ‘Hail Holy Queen‘, ‘Prayer to St Michael‘, and ‘Final Prayer‘

Pope Saint John Paul II suggested the recitation of the Rosary as follows:

  • Monday – Joyful
  • Tuesday – Sorrowful
  • Wednesday – Glorious
  • Thursday – Luminous
  • Friday – Sorrowful
  • Saturday – Joyful
  • Sundays of Advent and Christmas – Joyful
  • Sundays of Lent – Sorrowful
  • Other Sundays – Glorious

Opening Prayers

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. He will come again in glory 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.”

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.”

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.

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.”


Closing Prayers

Hail Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our hope. To thee we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale 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. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

St Michael the Arch Angel

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Final Prayer

Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon 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.


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