"§1 A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who 1° devoutly recite the Marian rosary in a church or oratory, or in a family, a religious community, or an association of the faithful, and in general when several of the faithful gather for some honest purpose; 2° devoutly join in the recitation of the rosary while it is being recited by the Supreme Pontiff and broadcast live by radio or television. In other circumstances, the indulgence will be partial." -Manual of Indulgences | The Promises of the Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary's importance

The Rosary is the greatest private devotion and is a priceless gift from God that can be used to convert sinners and heretics. 

The Rosary's rewards

According to St. Louis de Montfort, those who say the Rosary faithfully until death will receive a crown of glory, even if they are on the brink of damnation. 

The Rosary's use

St. Louis de Montfort says the Rosary should be said with devotion and attention, as if it were the last time; Pray the Rosary while meditating on the mysteries with meaningful contemplation. Ask yourself “What is the spiritual significance of this mystery, and how can it relate to me?”

The Rosary's reverence

St. Louis de Montfort urges that the Rosary be said reverently, ideally while kneeling with hands clasped. However, it can be said in other ways if circumstances prevent it. 

The Rosary's praise

The Rosary should be used to praise Jesus and Mary. The Rosary is a crown of roses that should be offered to Jesus and Mary with a particular intention (ex. for the conversion of such & such a person).

Main Prayers:

  1. Second large bead: Glory be. O my Jesus. Announce the 1st mystery. Our Father.

  2. Ten small beads: Hail Marys (while meditating on the 1st mystery)

  3. Third large bead: Glory be. O my Jesus. Announce the 2nd mystery. Our Father.

  4. Ten small beads: Hail Marys (while meditating on the 2nd mystery)

  5. Fourth large bead: Glory be. O my Jesus. Announce the 3rd mystery. Our Father.

  6. Ten small beads: Hail Marys (while meditating on the 3rd mystery)

  7. Fifth large bead: Glory be. O my Jesus. Announce the 4th mystery. Our Father.

  8. Ten small beads: Hail Marys (while meditating on the 4th mystery)

  9. Sixth large bead: Glory be. O my Jesus. Announce the 5th mystery. Our Father.

  10. Ten small beads: Hail Marys (while meditating on the 5th mystery)

  11. Finish the decades: Glory be. O my Jesus.

Introduction:

  1. Make the Sign of the Cross, kissing the Crucifix

  2. Start on the Crucifix: Apostles Creed.

  3. First large bead: Our Father.

  4. Three small beads: Three Hail Marys for faith, hope, charity.

Closing Prayers:

  1. End on the center piece or crucifix:
    Hail Holy Queen.

  2. Optional additional prayers: For ex.: St. Michael Prayer. End of Rosary Prayer.

  3. Finish by making the Sign of the Cross, kissing the Crucifix

Sorrowful Mysteries

(Prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, 
and Sundays in Lent)

  • The first Sorrowful Mystery. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s agony in the garden of Gethsemane, sweating drops of blood, sufferings, submitting to the will of the Father according to His humanity.

  • The second Sorrowful Mystery. Our Blessed Lord being scourged at the pillar, shedding blood for sinners, witnessed by Our Blessed Lady and St. John the Apostle

  • The third Sorrowful Mystery. Our Lord being beaten and crowned with a painful crown of thorns, piercing his scalp and forehead, causing streams of blood to run down his face.

  • The fourth Sorrowful Mystery. Our Lord taking up His cross and carrying it to Golgotha, met on the way by His Blessed Mother, assisted by Simon the Cyrene and St. Veronica.

  • The fifth Sorrowful Mystery. Our Lord being nailed mercilessly to the Cross, suffering the pain of suffocation, the wounds on his hands and feet, expiring on the Cross, and being pierced in His Sacred Heart.

Joyful Mysteries

(Prayed on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 
and Sundays in Advent)

  • The first Joyful Mystery. Our Blessed Lady is visited by St. Gabriel and receives glad tidings that she should be the Mother of God, she faithfully submits to God without hesitation.

  • The second Joyful Mystery. Our Blessed Lady after conceiving of Our Lord, visits St. Elizabeth, is hailed and praised by her, is the cause of St. John the Baptist leaping in the womb of St. Elizabeth.

  • The third Joyful Mystery. Our Lord’s joyful birth from the womb of the most sacred Virgin Mary, coming forth as light passing through glass, being adored by His parents, shepherds, and the magi.

  • The fourth Joyful Mystery. Our Lady and St. Joseph taking Jesus up to the Temple and presenting Him to God, receiving the prophesies that many would be lost and that many would rise.

  • The fifth Joyful Mystery. Our Lady and St. Joseph losing 12-yr-old Jesus, being sorely grieved while searching for Him for three days, then finding Him in the Temple teaching the Doctors.

Glorious Mysteries

(Prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays 
outside of Lent and Advent)

  • The first Glorious Mystery. Our Blessed Lord resurrects after three days in the tomb, along with many patriarchs of the Old Testament, He greets Our Lady, He greets the Apostles, and is seen by many.

  • The second Glorious Mystery. Our Blessed Lord blesses the world then ascends into heaven with His Blessed Mother and the Apostles as witnesses, two angels after his ascension announce He shall return in the same manner.

  • The third Glorious Mystery. After the ascension Our Lady, the Apostles, and the 72 disciples of Christ gather in the cenacle in Jerusalem in devout prayer for nine days before the Holy Spirit descends upon them as tongues of fire and they manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit and great charismatic wonders.

  • The fourth Glorious Mystery. Our Blessed Lady after some 60 years of life, dies consumed with desire for union with her Son, her body is laid in a tomb, and taken up into heaven and re-united with her immaculate soul, as witnessed by the Apostles.

  • The fifth Glorious Mystery. Our Blessed Lady is acknowledged as the crown of creation by the Holy Trinity and crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth, where she reigns forever with Christ.

The Prayers of the Rosary:

  • English: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

    Latin: In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

  • English: I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth, and in in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 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, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

    Latin: Credo in Deum Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cæli et terræ, et in Iesum Christum, Fílium eius únicum, Dóminum nostrum, qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Vírgine, passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus; descéndit ad ínferos; tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis; ascéndit ad cælos, sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis; inde ventúrus est iudicáre vivos et mórtuos. Credo in Spíritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam, sanctórum communiónem, remissiónem peccatórum, carnis resurrectiónem, vitam ætérnam. Amen.

  • English: 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.

    Latin: Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum. Advéniat regnum tuum, fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie, et dimítte nobis débita nostra sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem, sed líbera nos a malo. Amen.

  • English: Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 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.

    Latin: Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum; benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatóribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostræ. Amen.

  • English: 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.

    Latin: Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.

  • English: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy. Amen.

    Latin: Dómine Jesu, dimitte nobis débita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferni; perduc in caelum omnes ánimas, praesertim eas, quae misericórdiae tuae máxime indigent.

  • English: 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 vale 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!

    V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

    R. that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

    Latin: Salve Regína, mater misericórdiæ; vita, dulcédo, et spes nostra, salve; ad te clamámus éxsules fílii Evæ, ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes in hac lacrimárum valle. Eia ergo, advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte: et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María. 

    V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix.

    R. Ut digni efficiamur promissiónibus Christi.

  • St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

  • English: Let us pray. O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Latin: Déus, cújus Unigénitus per vítam, mortem, et resurrectiónem Súam nóbis salútis ætérnæ præmia comparávit: concéde, quæsumus: ut hæc mystéria sacratíssimo beátæ Maríæ Vírginis Rosário recoléntes, et imitémur quod cóntinent, et quod promíttunt, assequámur, per eúndem Chrístum Dóminum nóstrum. Amen. 

  • English: Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast thy solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions and protect us with thy mighty staff. Thou fled through the night to avoid the devil’s wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from thee! Grant special protection, we pray, for children, fathers, mothers, families, and the dying. By God’s grace, no demon dares approach while thou art near, so we beg of thee, Saint Joseph, always be near to us! Amen. Saint Joseph, terror of demons, pray for us.

    Saint Joseph, terror of demons, pray for us.

    Latin: Sancte Ioseph, Terror dæmonum, diabolum et omnes adsignatos ejus solempniter intuere, et tu baculo forti tuere nos. Per noctem fugisti vitare diaboli consilia ; nunc virtute Dei, percutite dæmónes fugientes a te. Speciali protectione concede, quæsumus, filiis, patribus, matribus, familiis, et morientibus. Per Dei gratiam nullus dæmon accedere audet, dum tu ades ; ideo rogamus te, Sancte Ioseph, semper propinqua nobis! Amen.

    Sancte Ioseph, Terror dæmónum, ora pro nobis.

  • Joyful Mysteries (Mysteria Gaudiosi)

    1. The first Joyful Mystery:
      The Annunciation. (Latin: Primum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Annuntiatio)

    2. The second Joyful Mystery:
      The Visitation. (Latin: Secundum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Visitatio)

    3. The third Joyful Mystery:
      The Nativity. (Latin: Tertium Mysterium Gaudiosum: Nativitas)

    4. The fourth Joyful Mystery:
      The Presentation. (Latin: Quartum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Presentatio)

    5. The fifth Joyful Mystery:
      The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. (Latin: Quintum Mysterium Gaudiosum: Inventio in Templo)

    Sorrowful Mysteries (Mysteria Dolorosa)

    1. The first Sorrowful Mystery:
      The Agony in the Garden. (Latin: Primum Mysterium Dolorosum: Cruciatus in Horto)

    2. The second Sorrowful Mystery:
      The Scourging at the Pillar. (Latin: Secundum Mysterium Dolorosum: Flagellatio)

    3. The third Sorrowful Mystery:
      The Crowning with Thorns. (Latin: Tertium Mysterium Dolorosum: Coronatio cum Spinis)

    4. The fourth Sorrowful Mystery.
      The Carrying of the Cross: (Latin: Quartum Mysterium Dolorosum: Bajulatio Crucis)

    5. The fifth Sorrowful Mystery:
      The Crucifixion. (Latin: Quintum Mysterium Dolorosum: Crucifixio)

    Glorious Mysteries (Mysteria Gloriosa)

    1. The first Glorious Mystery:
      The Resurrection. (Latin: Primum Mysterium Gloriosum: Resurrectio)

    2. The second Glorious Mystery:
      The Ascension. (Latin: Secundum Mysterium Gloriosum: Ascensio)

    3. The third Glorious Mystery:
      The Descent of the Holy Ghost (Latin: Tertium Mysterium Gloriosum: Descensus Spiritus Sancti)

    4. The fourth Glorious Mystery:
      The Bodily Assumption of Mary (Latin: Quartum Mysterium Gloriosum: Assumptio)

    5. The fifth Glorious Mystery:
      The Coronation of Mary (Latin: Quintum Mysterium Gloriosum: Coronatio)