How to Praythe Rosary
A short visual guide: steps on the left, rosary on the right. Scroll through each step — the beads light up as you go.
Begin at the Cross
Hold the crucifix. Make the Sign of the Cross, then pray the Apostles' Creed — a declaration of faith that anchors everything that follows.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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; from there he will 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.
Our Father
Move up to the single large bead above the cross. Pray the Our Father — the prayer Jesus himself taught, also known as the Lord's Prayer.
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.
Three Hail Marys
On the next three small beads, pray a Hail Mary on each — for an increase of faith, hope, and charity.
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 · Fatima Prayer · Mystery · Our Father
On every large bead, pray this sequence in order: Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, Announce the next Mystery, and lastly pray an Our Father.
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.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.
Joyful Mysteries
- The Annunciation
- The Visitation
- The Nativity
- The Presentation
- Finding in the Temple
Luminous Mysteries
- The Baptism in the Jordan
- The Wedding at Cana
- Proclamation of the Kingdom
- The Transfiguration
- Institution of the Eucharist
Sorrowful Mysteries
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Scourging at the Pillar
- The Crowning with Thorns
- The Carrying of the Cross
- The Crucifixion
Glorious Mysteries
- The Resurrection
- The Ascension
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- The Assumption of Mary
- The Coronation of Mary
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.
Ten Hail Marys
Move through the ten small beads, praying a Hail Mary on each while meditating on the mystery. The repetition is not empty — it is a heartbeat for contemplation. Fifty Hail Marys total across all five decades.
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.
Hail Holy Queen
After the fifth decade's ten Hail Marys, you arrive at the centerpiece — the very last piece. Close with the Salve Regina and the final dialogue.
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.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 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.
Final Sign of the Cross
Return to the crucifix. Make the Sign of the Cross once more — the Rosary begins and ends at the cross, completing the circle.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
You know the Rosary.
The full Rosary takes about 15–20 minutes. With practice, the rhythm of the beads becomes meditative — each prayer flowing naturally into the next.
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