How to Pray the Holy Rosary

Praying the rosary combines traditional Catholic prayers with our contemplation of different sacred Mysteries, depending on the day of the week.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

2. While holding the Crucifix, pray the Apostles’ Creed.

3. On the first bead, pray the Our Father.

4. On the next three beads, pray the Hail Mary.

5. On the next bead, pray the Glory Be.

The circular part of the rosary has five sections called decades. Announce the Mystery for the rosary decade and day of the week.

Pray the Our Father.

6. On the next ten beads, pray the Hail Mary while meditating on the Mystery.

7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the remaining decades.

8. After the five decades, pray the Hail, Holy Queen.

9. Pray the following:

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these Mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.