The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Pope John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous. (usccb.org)
​
​
The Mysteries of the Rosary
​
The Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the season of Advent, on Sundays:
-
The Annunciation (Annutatio) - Luke 1:28
-
The Visitation (Visitátio) - Luke 1:41-42
-
The Nativity (Natívitas) - Luke 2:7
-
The Presentation in the Temple (Præsentátio) - Luke 2:22-23
-
The Finding in the Temple (Invéntio in Templo) - Luke 2:46
​
The Five Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and, during the season of Lent, on Sundays:
​
-
The Agony in the Garden
-
The Scourging at the Pillar
-
The Crowning with Thorns
-
The Carrying of the Cross
-
The Crucifixion and Death
​
The Five Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and, outside the seasons of Advent and Lent, on Sundays:
​
-
The Resurrection
-
The Ascension
-
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
-
The Assumption
-
The Coronation of Mary
​
The Five Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays:
​
-
The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
-
The Wedding Feast at Cana
-
Jesus' Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
-
The Transfiguration
-
The Institution of the Eucharist
​
How to Pray the Rosary
​
-
Make the Sign of the Cross.
-
Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
-
On the first bead, say an Our Father.
-
Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.
-
Say the Glory Be
-
For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery (perhaps followed by a brief reading from Scripture) then say the Our Father.
-
While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be.
-
(After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: 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.)
-
After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Queen,
-
Say the concluding below:
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 while 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.