What is the Rosary & How to Pray

What is the Rosary & How to Pray

Rosary: A set of prayers centered around the mysteries of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, commonly used for meditation and prayer. 
The Rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer devotion that involves the repetition of prayers while meditating on significant events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. It is a powerful tool for meditation and prayer, often prayed to seek peace, guidance, or strength. Here’s a breakdown of the Rosary and how to pray it:

Structure of the Rosary:

The Rosary consists of a series of prayers and meditations. It is traditionally prayed using a set of beads, which helps the individual keep track of the prayers. The prayers are divided into five decades (groups of 10 prayers each), each one representing a significant event in the lives of Jesus and Mary. There are also introductory prayers and concluding prayers.

1. The Introductory Prayers:

  • Sign of the Cross: Start by making the Sign of the Cross, saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

  • Apostles' Creed: Recite the Apostles' Creed, which is a profession of faith.

    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: The "Our Father" prayer (also called the "Lord's Prayer"), which was taught by Jesus to his disciples.

    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.

  • Hail Mary: A prayer honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus.

    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: A prayer of praise to the Holy Trinity.

    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.

  • Fatima Prayer (optional): This prayer is often added after each decade.

    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. Amen.

2. The Five Decades:

The Rosary is prayed in decades, with each decade consisting of the following prayers:

  • 1 Our Father: Recited at the beginning of each decade.
  • 10 Hail Marys: One for each bead in the decade.
  • 1 Glory Be: After completing the Hail Marys for each decade.
  • Fatima Prayer: Optional, recited after each decade.

3. Mysteries of the Rosary:

The mysteries focus on key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, and there are four sets of mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous.

  • Joyful Mysteries (prayed on Mondays and Saturdays):

    1. The Annunciation
    2. The Visitation
    3. The Nativity of Jesus
    4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
    5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

  • Sorrowful Mysteries (prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays):

    1. The Agony in the Garden
    2. The Scourging at the Pillar
    3. The Crowning with Thorns
    4. The Carrying of the Cross
    5. The Crucifixion

  • Glorious Mysteries (prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays):

    1. The Resurrection
    2. The Ascension
    3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
    4. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven
    5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven

  • Luminous Mysteries (prayed on Thursdays):

    1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
    2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
    3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
    4. The Transfiguration
    5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Each mystery is meditated upon while praying the corresponding prayers.

4. Concluding Prayers:

After completing all five decades, the Rosary concludes with the following:

  • Hail Holy Queen: A prayer to Mary, asking for her intercession.

    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.

  • Final Prayer: Often, a final prayer, such as the Sign of the Cross or another prayer of thanksgiving, is offered.

How to Pray the Rosary:

  1. Begin by holding the crucifix and reciting the Sign of the Cross.
  2. Recite the Apostles' Creed, followed by the Our Father, three Hail Marys, and the Glory Be.
  3. Start the first decade by announcing the first mystery (e.g., The Annunciation), then pray 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and 1 Glory Be.
  4. Continue through all five decades, meditating on the corresponding mysteries for each decade.
  5. After completing the five decades, recite the Hail Holy Queen and other concluding prayers.

The Rosary can be prayed privately or in a group. It is traditionally used to seek Mary’s intercession and to meditate deeply on the life of Christ.

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