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The Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of his Mother — twenty mysteries prayed across four sets, one set most days. Here is how to pray it, step by step.

The prayers you'll need

How to pray the Rosary, step by step

  1. Holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross and pray the Apostles' Creed.
  2. On the first bead, pray the Our Father.
  3. On the next three beads, pray a Hail Mary on each — for an increase of faith, hope, and charity.
  4. Pray the Glory Be.
  5. Announce the first mystery and pray the Our Father.
  6. On each of the ten beads of the decade, pray a Hail Mary while meditating on the mystery.
  7. Pray the Glory Be, then the Fatima Prayer (“O my Jesus…”).
  8. Announce the next mystery and repeat for all five decades.
  9. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen, and make the Sign of the Cross.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Each day the Church prays one set of five mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries (Mondays & Saturdays)

  1. The Annunciation
  2. The Visitation
  3. The Nativity
  4. The Presentation
  5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays & Fridays)

  1. The Agony in the Garden
  2. The Scourging at the Pillar
  3. The Crowning with Thorns
  4. The Carrying of the Cross
  5. The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays & Sundays)

  1. The Resurrection
  2. The Ascension
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
  4. The Assumption of Mary
  5. The Coronation of Mary

The Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

  1. The Baptism of the Lord
  2. The Wedding at Cana
  3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
  4. The Transfiguration
  5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Rosary questions

How long does it take to pray the Rosary?

About fifteen to twenty minutes for a full five-decade Rosary, prayed unhurried.

Which mysteries do I pray today?

Joyful on Monday and Saturday, Sorrowful on Tuesday and Friday, Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday, and Luminous on Thursday.

Do I need special rosary beads?

No. Rosary beads help you keep count, but you can pray the Rosary on your fingers or with any set of beads.

Pray the Rosary with the app — today's mysteries chosen for you, “Pray Together” aloud mode, and a place for your intentions. Free.

Google PlayApp Store

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