How to Pray the Holy Rosary-Why We Pray the Rosary

During his reign, Pope Pius XI reminded us: "Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary." History records that it has, more than once, saved empires and nations from destruction. And Pope Pius XII has assured us: "There is no surer means of calling down God's blessings upon the family...than the daily recitation of the Rosary."

Steps to Praying the Rosary
(click on the prayer titles to go to that prayer)

1. While holding the crucifix make the Sign of the Cross. and then recite the Apostles Creed.

2. Recite the Our Father on the first large bead.

3. Recite a Hail Mary for an increase of faith, hope and charity on each of the three small beads.

4. Recite the Glory Be to the Father on the next large bead.

5. Recite the Fatima Prayer "O my Jesus" on the large bead.

6. Recall the first Rosary Mystery and recite the Our Father on the large bead.

7. On each of the adjacent ten small beads (also refered to as a decade) recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the mystery.

8. On the next large bead, recite the Glory Be to the Father, the Fatima prayer.

9. Each succeeding decade is prayed in a similar manner by recalling the appropriate mystery, reciting the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be to the Father, and the Fatima prayer while reflecting on the mystery.

10. When the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is Customarily concluded with the Hail Holy Queen, and the Sign of the Cross.

Prayers of the Rosary

	The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
	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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He decended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven,and sitteth 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 Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgivness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen
	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.
	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
	Glory Be to the Father Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
	Fatima Prayer "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy". (Our Lady at Fatima, 13th July 1917)
	The 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.

Additional Prayers after the Rosary

"O God whose only begotten Son has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, Grant that we beseech Thee while meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord Amen."

"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love You. I beg pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love You."
(The Angel to three children of Fatima, spring 1916)

For the intentions of the Holy Father, one may recite at the end of the Rosary one "Our Father", one "Hail Mary", and one "Glory Be".

Holy Rosary