How to Pray the Rosary

In the Rosary, we say the prayers while meditating with Mary on the life of Jesus. The familiar words give our attention a steady, peaceful focus.

The 15 traditional mysteries comprise five joyful, five sorrowful and five glorious mysteries. Choose one set for five decades; to pray all 15, pray the three sets in succession.

Name the mystery before each decade. A short, fitting verse from Scripture or the accompanying image can help you turn your attention to the event.

Pause briefly before beginning the Our Father. During the ten Hail Marys, stay with a word, an event or a petition that arises from this mystery.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Apostles’ Creed. Then pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys for faith, hope and charity, and one Glory Be.

Then pray five decades: the first Our Father at the centre cross and the others at the four beads between decades. Each decade includes ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be, followed at the end by the closing prayers. For all 15 decades, say the opening prayers only once.

When your thoughts wander, notice it without becoming angry with yourself. Turn back to Jesus and continue praying at your present bead.

You can entrust a persistent worry to God as a petition. A distraction does not mean you need to start again; return patiently to the mystery.

Choose someone to announce the mystery and lead the prayers. The others respond from “Give us this day” in the Our Father, “Holy Mary” in the Hail Mary, and “As it was in the beginning” in the Glory Be.

Allow enough time between the leader’s part and the response. Children can offer an intention or lead a decade; one decade prayed attentively together is a good beginning.

Pray slowly enough to attend to the words. A brief pause after announcing the mystery and between decades can help you renew your attention.

If you are beginning, start with one decade and learn the order gradually. If interrupted, remember your bead and continue from there later.

At the beginning, entrust a person or a concern to God. You can offer the whole Rosary for this intention or name a different petition before each decade.

Ask also for a spiritual fruit, such as patience, trust or charity. After praying, consider how you can help someone, forgive or faithfully carry out a duty today.

In the Salve Regina, or Hail Holy Queen, we ask for Mary’s intercession. After the versicle and response, the collect, or concluding prayer, asks for the grace to imitate what the mysteries contain and obtain what they promise.

You may add the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel if you wish. It is an optional addition, not a necessary part of the Rosary. Remain briefly in thanksgiving and finish with the Sign of the Cross.