Print this page

How to pray the Rosary

rosary beads 600px1. Make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostle's Creed.
2. Pray the Our Father.
3. Pray three Hail Marys.
4. Pray the Glory Be to the Father.
5. Announce the mystery for reflection and pray the Our Father.
6. Pray 10 Hail Mary's.
7. Finish the decade with the Glory Be to the Father.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

The Joyful Mysteries

1.    The annunciation to Mary that she is to be Mother of Saviour (Luke 1:26-38).
       “Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.
        He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High”...   “I am the handmaid of the Lord,” said Mary “let what you have said be done to me.”

2.    The visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39 47).
        Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said
       “Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

3.     The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (Like 2:1-7).
         While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first born.”

4.     The presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22- 32).
        “The parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required....”(Lk 2:28)

5.     The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52).
        ”Why were you looking for me?” he replied “Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?”


The Mysteries of Light
 
1.     The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan (Matt 3:17).
        “This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him” (Mt 3:17)

2.     The wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1- 12).
        His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:6)

3.     The proclamation of the Kingdom of God/the call to conversion
        (Mark 1:15, Mark 2:3-13; Luke 7:47-48, John 20:22-23).
       “The time has come” he said “ and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News” (Mk 1:15)

4.    The transfiguration (Luke 9:35).
       And a voice came from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him”

5.    The first Eucharist (John 13:1).
       “He had always loved those who were his own in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.”

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1.    The agony of Christ in the garden (Mark 14:32-36).
        “My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here, and keep awake.” (Mk 14:34)

2.    The scourging of Jesus at the pillar (John 18:28-38;19:1).
        “Truth?” said Pilate “What is that?” .. Pilate then had Jesus taken away and scourged...”

3.     The crowning with thorns (Mark 15:16-20).
         The soldiers...dressed him up in purple, twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on him.”
         (Mk 15:18)

4.    The carrying of the cross (John 19:l2-17).
         “Carrying his own cross he went out of the city to the place of the skull or,
          as it is called in Hebrew, Golgotha...” (Jn 19:17)

5.    The crucifixion and death of Jesus (Luke 23:33-34; 39-46).
        “when Jesus cried out in a loud voice, he said,
        “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk 23:46)

The Glorious Mysteries

1.    The resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:1-6).
       “He is not here; he has risen.” (Lk 24:5)

2.     The ascension of our Lord into heaven (Luke 24:50-53).
        “Now, as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven.” (Lk 24:51)

3.     The descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
        “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 2:4)

4.     The assumption of Mary into heaven (Song of Songs 2:8-14).
        “Come then, my love, my lovely one, come” (Sg 2:13)

5.     The coronation of our Lady in heaven (Revelation 12:1-6).
        “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman,
        adorned with the sun, standing on the moon,
        and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown.” (Rev 12:1)

[Adapted from: How to Pray the Rosary by, Father Thomas Thompson, S.M. (Society of Mary), director of the Marian Library at the University of Dayton. Father Jack Wintz, O.F.M., editor of Catholic Update and editor of St. Anthony Messenger. Web http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0589.asp]