How to Pray the Rosary: A Beginner’s Guide
The Rosary is a prayer the Church has prayed for centuries. Below are its prayers, its mysteries, and the Church’s own teaching on how to pray it, each linked to the original source.
“The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! Marvellous in its simplicity and its depth.”
St. John Paul II, quoted in Rosarium Virginis Mariae 2
Download the printable Rosary guide (PDF)
Download the printable Rosary guide scriptural (PDF)
What is the Rosary?
“The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer.”
Rosarium Virginis Mariae 1
“The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an ‘epitome of the whole Gospel,’ express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 971
“Medieval piety in the West developed the prayer of the rosary as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2678
What prayers are used in the Rosary?
These are the prayers of the Rosary in their traditional English form.
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Matthew 28:19
The 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; the third day He rose again from the dead; 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 life everlasting. Amen.
The ancient baptismal creed of the Church of Rome
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.
Matthew 6:9–13
The 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.
Luke 1:28, 42, with the Church’s petition (Catechism 2676–2677)
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 ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
“The high-point of contemplation” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 34)
O My Jesus (optional)
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
Given by Our Lady at Fátima, 13 July 1917, as recorded by Sr. Lucia. The prayer after each decade “varies according to local custom” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 35).
Hail, Holy Queen
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.
Medieval Marian antiphon; named in Rosarium Virginis Mariae 37
Closing 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 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.
Traditionally the Collect of the feast of the Most Holy Rosary, 7 October
How do you pray the Rosary?
The Rosary is five decades. Each decade is an Our Father, ten Hail Marys, and a Glory Be, prayed while meditating on one mystery.
Begin
On the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles’ Creed. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 37)
On the first large bead, pray the Our Father. (USCCB)
On the next three beads, pray three Hail Marys. By custom, these are offered for an increase of faith, hope, and charity. (USCCB; a common custom)
Pray the Glory Be.
In some places the Rosary begins instead with the opening words of Psalm 70: “O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me.” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 37)
For each of the five decades
Announce the mystery. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 29)
If you wish, read the Scripture passage for the mystery. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 30)
Pause for a moment of silence. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 31)
On the large bead, pray the Our Father. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 32)
On the ten small beads, pray ten Hail Marys while meditating on the mystery. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 33)
Pray the Glory Be. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 34)
Optionally, add the prayer O My Jesus. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 35)
Close
Pray the Hail, Holy Queen. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 37)
Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. An Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be are customary. (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 37; a common custom)
Pray the closing prayer and end with the Sign of the Cross.
What are the mysteries of the Rosary?
There are twenty mysteries in four sets. The Luminous Mysteries were added by St. John Paul II in 2002 (Rosarium Virginis Mariae 19, 21). Each mystery is listed with a passage to read before the decade.
The Joyful Mysteries (Monday & Saturday)
The Annunciation: Luke 1:26–27
The Visitation: Luke 1:39–42
The Nativity: Luke 2:1–7
The Presentation in the Temple: Luke 2:21–24
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: Luke 2:41–47
The Luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
The Baptism in the Jordan: Matthew 3:16–17
The Wedding at Cana: John 2:1–5
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the call to conversion: Mark 1:15
The Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1–2
The Institution of the Eucharist: Matthew 26:26
The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday & Friday)
The Agony in the Garden: Matthew 26:36–39
The Scourging at the Pillar: Matthew 27:26
The Crowning with Thorns: Matthew 27:27–29
The Carrying of the Cross: Mark 15:21–22
The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord: Luke 23:33–46
The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday & Sunday)
The Resurrection: Luke 24:1–5
The Ascension: Mark 16:19
The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1–4
The Assumption of Mary: Luke 1:48–49; Catechism 966
The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth: Catechism 966; Revelation 12:1
Which mysteries are prayed today?
Sunday: Glorious
Monday: Joyful
Tuesday: Sorrowful
Wednesday: Glorious
Thursday: Luminous
Friday: Sorrowful
Saturday: Joyful
Schedule proposed by St. John Paul II in Rosarium Virginis Mariae 38. On the Sundays of Advent, the Joyful Mysteries; on the Sundays of Lent, the Sorrowful Mysteries (USCCB).
How do you meditate while praying the Rosary?
The Church asks that the Rosary be prayed slowly, with attention on the mystery, not only on the words.
“Without this the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation is in danger of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas.”
St. Paul VI, Marialis Cultus 47
“By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries.”
St. Paul VI, Marialis Cultus 47
“Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2708
St. John Paul II gives practical help in Rosarium Virginis Mariae 29–34:
“Announcing each mystery, and perhaps even using a suitable icon to portray it, is as it were to open up a scenario on which to focus our attention.”
Rosarium Virginis Mariae 29
“Listening and meditation are nourished by silence.”
Rosarium Virginis Mariae 31
“The centre of gravity in the Hail Mary, the hinge as it were which joins its two parts, is the name of Jesus.”
Rosarium Virginis Mariae 33
How do you pray the Scriptural Rosary?
The Scriptural Rosary is the same Rosary, prayed with the Bible open. After you announce the mystery, read a short passage from Scripture. Pause for a moment of silence. Then pray the decade while you picture the scene.
“In order to supply a Biblical foundation and greater depth to our meditation, it is helpful to follow the announcement of the mystery with the proclamation of a related Biblical passage.”
St. John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae 30
Here is one short reading for each decade, from the Douay-Rheims Bible.
The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation
And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. (Luke 1:38)The Visitation
And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (Luke 1:41–42)The Nativity
And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)The Presentation in the Temple
Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:30–32)The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business? (Luke 2:49)
The Luminous Mysteries
The Baptism in the Jordan
And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)The Wedding at Cana
His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. (John 2:5)The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the call to conversion
The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:15)The Transfiguration
And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)The Institution of the Eucharist
And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take ye and eat. This is my body. (Matthew 26:26)
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden
My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39)The Scourging at the Pillar
Then he released to them Barabbas: and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)The Crowning with Thorns
And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews. (Matthew 27:29)The Carrying of the Cross
And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. (John 19:17)The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord
And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46)
The Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection
Why seek you the living with the dead? He is not here, but is risen. (Luke 24:5–6)The Ascension
And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)The Descent of the Holy Spirit
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. (Acts 2:4)The Assumption of Mary
For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name. (Luke 1:48–49)The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth
And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Revelation 12:1)
Do I need Rosary beads?
“The traditional aid used for the recitation of the Rosary is the set of beads.”
Rosarium Virginis Mariae 36
The beads help you keep count so your attention can rest on the mystery.
Why pray it every day?
“Pray the Rosary every day, in order to obtain peace for the world”
Our Lady at Fátima, 13 May 1917, as recorded by Sr. Lucia
Download the printable guide
A printable guide with the steps, prayers, and mysteries on the front, and a short Scripture reading for each decade on the back. Free to print and share.
Download the printable Rosary guide (PDF)
Sources & further reading
Church documents
St. John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (2002), apostolic letter on the Rosary
St. Paul VI, Marialis Cultus (1974), nos. 42–55 on the Rosary
Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2002), nos. 197–202
Leo XIII, Laetitiae Sanctae (1893), encyclical on the Rosary
Catechism
Sacred Scripture
Passages for each mystery are listed above, following the USCCB.
Official prayers and approved apparitions
USCCB, How to Pray the Rosary (Scripture passages for each mystery; Advent and Lent custom)
Sanctuary of Fátima, Narrative of the Apparitions (based on the memoirs of Sr. Lucia)
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