Rosary Explained

Tutorial

A Guide to Understanding and Praying the Rosary


What Is the Rosary?

The Rosary is one of the most recognized and widely practiced prayers in the Catholic faith. It combines meditation and recitation, consisting of a sequence of prayers arranged on a string of beads. Each bead serves as a reminder to pray and reflect on key events, called Mysteries, in the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Larger beads mark the Our Father, while smaller beads are for Hail Marys, helping guide the individual through meditation and keep track of the prayers.

The tradition of the Rosary dates back to the Middle Ages. While its exact origins are debated, it was widely promoted by St. Dominic in the 13th century as a way to encourage devotion among the faithful.


Step-by-Step Guide to Praying the Rosary

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.

2. Recite the Apostles’ Creed on the crucifix.

3. Say the Our Father on the first large bead.

4. Pray three Hail Marys on the next three small beads.

5. Recite the Glory Be and announce the first Mystery.

6. Pray one Our Father and ten Hail Marys for each Mystery, followed by the Glory Be.

7. Repeat for all five Mysteries in the set.

8. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen and Sign of the Cross.



The Prayers of the Rosary

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; 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.

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.

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 Fatima Prayer

Often added after the Glory Be in each decade:

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 Thy mercy. Amen.
 

Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

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! Amen.


The Mysteries of the Rosary

Central to praying the Rosary are the Mysteries—events in the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary that are meditated upon while reciting the prayers.

 

The Joyful Mysteries

These focus on the early life of Jesus and the joy surrounding His birth and childhood. They are traditionally prayed on Mondays and Saturdays:

  1. The Annunciation – the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear Jesus.

  2. The Visitation – Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting a child.

  3. The Nativity – the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

  4. The Presentation – Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple.

  5. The Finding in the Temple – young Jesus is found teaching in the Temple after being missing for three days.

 

The Sorrowful Mysteries

These reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death, and are prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays:

  1. The Agony in the Garden – Jesus prays in Gethsemane before His arrest.

  2. The Scourging at the Pillar – Jesus is whipped before His crucifixion.

  3. The Crowning with Thorns – soldiers mockingly crown Jesus with a thorny crown.

  4. The Carrying of the Cross – Jesus carries His cross to Calvary.

  5. The Crucifixion – Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies for humanity.

 

The Glorious Mysteries

These celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the triumph of God’s plan, prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays:

  1. The Resurrection – Jesus rises from the dead.

  2. The Ascension – Jesus ascends into heaven.

  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit comes upon the apostles at Pentecost.

  4. The Assumption of Mary – Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.

  5. The Coronation of Mary – Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven.

 

The Luminous Mysteries

Added by Pope John Paul II in 2002, these focus on Jesus’ public ministry and are prayed on Thursdays:

  1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan – Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

  2. The Wedding at Cana – Jesus performs His first miracle, turning water into wine.

  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom – Jesus calls people to conversion and faith.

  4. The Transfiguration – Jesus is revealed in glory on a mountain before Peter, James, and John.

  5. The Institution of the Eucharist – Jesus offers His Body and Blood at the Last Supper.


 

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