Not long after returning to the Catholic faith, I began praying the rosary daily. It wasn’t a part of my practice as a child in the Catholic Church, although I did indeed own a rosary then. Upon returning to the faith, however, I incorporated it into my daily prayers.
Want to make the rosary a part of your prayer life but don’t know how? This article provides complete instructions on praying the rosary including text of all of the prayers, along with some insights.
Before we get started, I wanted to share a couple valuable links:
The Rosary Crew (Keith Nester) – Keith Nester is a former protestant pastor who converted to Catholicism. He prays the rosary online every single day as the leader of The Rosary Crew. You might think, at first, that the rosary can be confusing; therefore, it can be extremely helpful – especially when starting out praying the rosary – to pray it “with others” who guide you through the prayers. Furthermore, Keith typically brings meaningful insights to each of the Mysteries of the rosary during the prayer time (more on what the mysteries are below). In addition, people on the Rosary Crew often pray for one another. When I started with the Rosary, I relied on Keith Nester’s daily program to lead me through. After some time and more familiarity with the Rosary, I began a new tradition… listening to Gregorian Chant while praying through the Rosary. But even now, I go back once in a while and have Keith Nester lead me through the prayers. You can find The Rosary Crew on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/@RosaryCrewwithKeithNester
Books:
The Rosary with Bishop Robert Barron by Robert Barron – This booklet explores the rosary’s meditative depth, rhythmic beauty, and spiritual power. Including instructions on how to pray the rosary. Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/bO9F8NT
Unpacking the Mysteries of the Rosary by Keith Nester – This book explores all 20 “mysteries of the rosary” (more on these below) that are prayed throughout the week – I found this book very valuable in understanding each mystery and learning “how to do it” and what to reflect upon during the rosary time for each day of the week. Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/i0fg1lM
Prayer Cards – When I began praying the rosary, I knew the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Glory Be, and the Hail Mary by heart from when I was a child. I “almost” knew all of the Apostle’s Creed. But I wasn’t familiar with the Hail Holy Queen, the Fatima decade prayer, or any of the “mysteries.” Prayer cards are simply wallet sized cards (think of a baseball card collection for the Church) that have devotions, prayers, etc. written on the backs of them and with beautiful artwork on the front. There are prayer cards for saints, for common prayers, etc. I’d recommend picking up prayer cards for any prayer of the rosary that you do not have memorized and for the mysteries of the rosary along with corresponding days of the week for each mystery.
One interesting insight before diving into “how to pray the rosary.” You’ll notice that Mary is a central focus of the rosary. Mary – the Mother of Jesus – is also the “Queen of the New Covenant.” What does this mean? In the line of Davidic kings (the line of Jewish Kings from King David on), the mother (not the wife) of the King was the Queen. With Jesus being the final King in the Davidic dynasty – with a kingdom that has no end – we therefore see His mother as being Queen in this never-ending kingdom. One role of the Queen was to intercede for the Jewish people to the King. With Jesus being the everlasting King in the New Covenant, Mary is therefore referred to as the Queen. So when you pray the rosary and ask for Mary to pray for us (to make intercession for us to the King… that is, Jesus) – you’re following a tradition established in the Jewish custom of Davidic kings.
How to Pray the Rosary
- Begin by making the sign of the cross and then, holding the crucifix, say 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.
2. At the first bead after the crucifix, say the Our Father (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.
3. On the next three beads, say three Hail Mary prayers:
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.
4. After the three beads, say 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.
5. On the bead after the three “Hail Mary” beads and before the medal, reflect on the First Mystery and say the Our Father. So what is the First Mystery? Use this chart to determine all the Mysteries of the rosary:
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Glorious Mysteries | Joyful Mysteries | Sorrowful Mysteries | Glorious Mysteries | Luminous Mysteries | Sorrowful Mysteries | Joyful Mysteries |
| 1. The Resurrection | 1. The Annunciation | 1. Agony of Jesus | 1. The Resurrection | 1. Baptism of Jesus | 1. Agony of Jesus | 1. The Annunciation |
| 2. The Ascension of Jesus | 2. The Visitation | 2. Scourging at the Pillar | 2. The Ascension of Jesus | 2. Wedding at Cana | 2. Scourging at the Pillar | 2. The Visitation |
| 3. Descent of the Holy Spirit | 3. The Birth of Jesus | 3. Crowning with Thorns | 3. Descent of the Holy Spirit | 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom | 3. Crowning with Thorns | 3. The Birth of Jesus |
| 4. The Assumption of Mary | 4. The Presentation of Jesus | 4. Carrying of the Cross | 4. Assumption of Mary | 4. Transfiguration of Jesus | 4. Carrying of the Cross | 4. The Presentation of Jesus |
| 5. Coronation of Mary | 5. Finding of Jesus | 5. The Crucifixion | 5. Coronation of Mary | 5. Institution of the Eucharist | 5. The Crucifixion | 5. Finding of Jesus |
6. Now we start the first of five “decades” on the Rosary. For the next ten beads, say ten Hail Marys. After the ten Hail Marys, say one Glory Be, and one Fatima Decade Prayer (the Fatima Decade Prayer is below):
O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
This completes the first “decade.” There are five decades on a rosary.
7. On the bead between the first decade and second, reflect on the Second Mystery (see the above chart).
8. Now start the second “decade.” Say an Our Father and then for the next ten beads, say ten Hail Marys. After the ten Hail Marys, say one Glory Be, and one Fatima Prayer. As you see, this is a “decade”: 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be, and 1 Fatima Decade Prayer.
9. Do this (repeating steps 7 and 8) until you’ve finished the five “decades.” Remember to use the chart to know which Mystery to reflect on.
10. Now you’ve made it all the way around the rosary. On the middle medal (you may not have a medal on your rosary but it will be the center piece) say 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. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
11. Finally, make the sign of the cross.
That’s it! You’ve prayed the rosary!
Further Notes on the Mysteries: Spiritual Fruits
A note on the mysteries: Each mystery has, associated with it, a “fruit” or take-a-way for us. In other words, as we reflect on the mystery, we should understand how this mystery should develop in us a spiritual trait. These are listed below:
Joyful Mysteries
Annunciation – Humility
Visitation – Love of Others
Birth of Jesus – Detachment / Love of God
Presentation of Jesus – Sacrifice / Obedience
Finding of Jesus – Zeal / Perseverance
Luminous Mysteries
Baptism of Jesus – Openness to the Holy Spirit / Obedience
Wedding at Cana – Trust / To Jesus Through Mary
Proclamation of the Kingdom – Conversion
Transfiguration – Courage / Spirit of Worship
Institution of the Eucharist – Grateful Heart / Love of the Eucharistic Lord
Sorrowful Mysteries
Agony of Jesus – Repentance / God’s will be done
Scourging at the Pillar – Self Denial / Purity
Crowning with Thorns – Moral Courage / Reign of Christ in our Hearts
Carrying of the Cross – Patience of Bearing Trials
Crucifixion – Forgiveness
Glorious Mysteries
Resurrection – Faith
Ascension of Jesus – Hope
Descent of the Holy Spirit – Spiritual Gifts
Assumption of Mary – Desire for Heaven
Coronation of Mary – Grace of the Final Perseverance
In addition, I found it beneficial to read the scriptures for each Mystery / Fruit reflection that are listed in this publication from the Knights of Columbus: https://www.kofc.org/en/resources/faith-in-action-programs/faith/rosary-program/319-scriptural-rosary.pdf
This is enough info to get you started. I honestly believe that incorporating the rosary into your daily prayer life with an intentional and sincere heart will be life changing.