How to Pray the Holy Rosary

The Rosary brings prayer and reflection together as we contemplate the life of Jesus with Mary. You may pray alone, with your family, or with a group.

Begin

1. Make the Sign of the Cross and recite the Apostles’ Creed while holding the crucifix.
2. On the first large bead, pray an Our Father.
3. Pray a Hail Mary on each of the three small beads, then the Glory Be.

Pray five decades

A decade consists of ten Hail Marys, accompanied by meditation on a mystery.

1. Name the first mystery and pause to reflect on it.
2. Pray an Our Father on the large bead.
3. Pray ten Hail Marys on the small beads, keeping the mystery in mind.
4. Finish the decade with the Glory Be. The Fatima prayer may follow.
5. Continue with the remaining four mysteries, praying each decade in the same way.

Conclude

After five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen and the concluding Rosary prayer. Finish with the Sign of the Cross.

For the full prayer texts, see How to Pray the Rosary — USCCB.

Choosing the mysteries

This is a customary weekly pattern. The mysteries may be adapted for the season or the community’s prayer.

Mysteries	Usual days
Joyful	Monday and Saturday
Luminous	Thursday
Sorrowful	Tuesday and Friday
Glorious	Wednesday and Sunday

Joyful Mysteries

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

Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
2. The Wedding at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
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

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

The Holy See’s Rosary guide explains the mysteries and their customary days. The Rosary Center’s guide also provides a sequence and prayer resources.