How to Pray the Rosary

Posted on April 12th, 2009 by Carmelia

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Praying the rosary is a form of Catholic devotion that combines a fixed set of prayers and meditation, part of the Catholic veneration of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. A number of Church indulgences are also attached to praying the rosary. Here’s how to pray the rosary properly.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Look at your rosary. You will notice that it is primarily made up of five groups of ten beads. Each group is called a decade, and each decade represents an associated Mystery. Each Mystery in turn are made up of five major biblical events that have associated themes with them. Each day in a week has a specific Mystery assigned to it. Sound confusing? Here’s a rundown on the four Mysteries and when they are to be observed.

The Joyful Mysteries

Day of Praying: Monday and Saturday, Advent

rosary Decades:

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Day of Praying: Tuesday and Friday, Lent to Palm Sunday

Decades:

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning With Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries

Day of Praying: Sunday, Wednesday, Ordinary Time, Easter to Sunday before Advent

Decades:

The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption of Mary
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Luminous Mysteries

Day of Praying: Thursday

Decades:

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
The Wedding at Cana
Jesus’ Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

The Rosary Form

Preparation. Holding the rosary by the cross, make the sign of the cross, followed by the Apostles’ Creed.
First Large Bead. Recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Three Small Beads. Recite the Hail Mary for each bead, with the three intentions for the increase of faith, hope and charity.
Second Large Bead. Recite the Glory Be to the Father prayer.
Before the First Decade. Announce the day’s mystery, followed by the first decade. Ie: “The first Luminous Mystery, the baptism of our Lord Jesus in the Jordan River.”
First Large Bead, Before the Decade. Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Decade. Pray the Hail Mary for each bead.
Last Bead of a Decade. Recite the Glory Be to the Father prayer as well as the Fatima prayer.
Next Decade. Go back to step six, and recite the next decade’s theme.
Last Bead of the Rosary. At the last bead of the last decade of the rosary, recite the Hail Holy Queen prayer in addition to the Glory Be to the Father prayer.
End of Rosary. Make the sign of the cross and say “Amen.”

Praying in a Group

The rosary can be prayed on your own or in a group. In group form, there is a leader and the followers. The leader will alternate with the group saying one part of the prayer aloud. Starting from the first decade, the leader will say the first part of the prayer and he or she will be answered by the next part of the prayer.

The leader will pray these parts of the prayers:

The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father…as it is in heaven.”
Glory Be to the Father: “Glory be…and the Holy Spirit.”
Fatima Prayer: “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins”
Hail Mary: “Hail Mary…blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.”

The followers will answer with the rest of the prayer as the leader stops.

The Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day…and deliver us from evil.”
Glory Be to the Father: “As it was in the beginning…world without end.”
Fatima Prayer: “Save us from the fires of Hell…most need Thy mercy.”
Hail Mary: “Holy Mary…now and at the hour of our death.”

At the second decade, it will be the followers’ turn to recite the first part of the prayers, and the leader the second part. At the third decade, they will alternate again in the same recitation as in the first decade.